OUSD Certifies Budget as Qualified Despite Warnings District Cannot Cover New Labor Contracts

Oakland Unified's board pushed through a contested budget certification last week, acknowledging the district sits just $3 million above its required reserves — before accounting for tens of millions in new labor costs already approved or pending. The five-hour meeting also delivered a rare moment of unanimity: a $104.5 million full rebuild of Garfield Elementary, one of Oakland's oldest and most deteriorated campuses, funded through a patchwork of bond money and early childhood dollars.

• Board certifies second interim budget as qualified in a 5-1-2 vote while critics warn known obligations already push the district below required reserves

• Garfield Elementary gets unanimous approval for $104.5M full campus rebuild with 140-152 new early childhood seats funded by Measure Y and Oakland Children's Initiative

• Community members blast stalled McClymonds High School construction, describing 300+ students crammed into half a building with mice in the kitchen and contaminated soil

• TK hub expansion plan projects $1.1M in net revenue from eight new classrooms aimed at capturing families lost to enrollment gaps

• Board unanimously demands state release nearly $6 billion in withheld Prop 98 funds, though OUSD's share would total roughly $30M

• $185M bond sale authorized for the third Measure Y draw, funding construction at McClymonds, Roosevelt, and Garfield