Libby Schaaf: Oakland school superintendent firing was ‘rash and confounding,’ last city budget ‘irresponsible.’
What Oakland’s school and city leaders do and say have long-term consequences.
Take the apparent rash and confounding firing of Kyla Johnson-Trammel, Oakland’s longest-serving school superintendent in 65 years. I join a vast coalition of civic leaders in praising her steadfast leadership, which includes raising the district’s graduation rate from 70% to 80%, and the share of UC-eligible graduates from 35% to nearly 50%. Johnson-Trammel last year announced her planned departure from the post and was already in contract for a phased departure, which the board approved mere months ago. This agreement was wisely designed to support both a new superintendent and a relatively new school board.
Instead, it appears school Directors Rachel Latta, Jennifer Brouhard, VanCedric Williams and Valarie Bachelor voted to terminate her contract without public warning or explanation. This sends a repellant message to the most talented prospective superintendents that they need not apply: OUSD is polarized, reactive and disrespectful of professional skills and dedication. It also triggers an unnecessary severance payment of at least $250,000.
Similarly last year, Oakland City Council members adopted an irresponsible budget despite warnings from their professional finance staff. Their decision will cost Oakland taxpayers dearly for years to come. Rating agencies S&P and Fitch downgraded the city’s credit rating two levels, with Fitch citing “elected leaders’ irresolute decision making in closing budget gaps.”
The effect of that downgrade is now being seen. City Council directed staff to issue $200 million in Measure U bonds. The borrowed money will pay for critically needed road repairs and affordable housing, which voters approved in 2016 and then renewed in 2022. But staff estimate that Oakland’s recent credit downgrade will increase this bond’s costs by an extra $2 million a year for 30 years. That’s $60 million in higher interest payments, which will be added to property tax bills, that could have been avoided.
I believe all of Oakland’s leaders care deeply about our city and want to do what’s best. I hope they will more fully consider the lasting impact of their decisions and engage more closely with the experienced professionals who have dedicated their careers to helping Oakland thrive.
Libby Schaaf served as Oakland mayor from 2015-2023.