OUSD has $100M in cuts to make. School sites won't be exempt

"The Oakland school board has learned that cutting $100 million from Oakland Unified School District without touching school sites is a tall order. For years, the district has been spending more money than it brings in, and one-time funds of the COVID years have run out. Not only does the district need to make cuts, it needs to fundamentally restructure the way it spends money in a more efficient manner."

"Saddler's report suggests $102,460,000 in cuts that include the $21 million from restructuring the central office, plus $32 million from school site budgets. The remaining savings will come from an additional 15% to 20% reduction at the central office; shifting the costs of some small schools, attendance clerks, and noon supervisor roles from the general fund to restricted funding sources; and a 10% - $12 million - reduction in special education spending."

Oakland Unified School District faces a required $100 million reduction for the 2026-2027 budget to avoid another state takeover. Historic spending has exceeded revenues and one-time COVID-era funds have expired, forcing structural budget changes. Initial central office-focused scenarios produced only $21 million in savings. Interim superintendent Denise Saddler proposes $102,460,000 in reductions combining $21 million from central office restructuring, $32 million from school site budgets, deeper central office cuts of 15–20%, cost shifts to restricted funds, and a 10%–$12 million reduction in special education. The plan calls for reducing the number of schools through closures or mergers.

Read at The Oaklandside