The District 4 director’s five decades of experience with Oakland schools gives him rare insight into the challenges and strengths of the district.
Author Archives: Ashley McBride
Ashley McBride writes about education equity for The Oaklandside. Her work covers Oakland’s public district and charter schools. Before joining The Oaklandside in 2020, Ashley was a reporter for the San Antonio Express-News and the San Francisco Chronicle as a Hearst Journalism Fellow, and has held positions at the Poynter Institute and the Palm Beach Post. Ashley earned her master’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University.
Posted inArts & Community
At Prescott Circus Theatre, kids learn self-expression by clowning around
For more than 35 years, the organization has been a creative outlet for Oakland youth, teaching them skills like juggling, tumbling, and unicycling.
Posted inHealth & Environment
A new guaranteed income program will support former foster youth in Alameda County
A program designed by former foster youth will give young adults a $1,000 monthly stipend for 2 years.
Posted inEducation Equity
Is Oakland’s school choice system fair? UC Berkeley researchers take a hard look
Can OUSD do a better job of helping families who don’t always have the time, resources, and knowledge to research schools?
Posted inEducation Equity
What Oakland school board member Sam Davis wishes more people knew about school finances
Starting with District 1, we’re talking to all seven OUSD directors about the issues facing the districts, their priorities, and what’s working in Oakland Unified.
Posted inEducation Equity
Oakland school board picks mayor’s staffer as new District 6 director
Kyra Mungia is a former OUSD teacher and will serve out the remainder of Shanthi Gonzales’ term.
Posted inEducation Equity
Effort to prevent Oakland school closures fails
At its last meeting this school year, the Oakland Unified School District board reaffirmed its decision to close, shrink, or merge 11 schools by 2024.
Posted inEducation Equity
D6, school closures, OUSD budget: Here’s what the board has to tackle before starting summer break
It’s been a volatile year for the board—one director quit altogether. Here’s where some remaining hot-button issues stand.
Posted inEducation Equity
Oakland school board votes against delaying school closures again
The OUSD board also granted Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell a three-month sabbatical and interviewed candidates for the District 6 seat this week.
Posted inEducation Equity
Oakland could be next to grant voting rights to noncitizens
More than 10,000 residents in Oakland who are parents or caregivers but not citizens could be allowed to vote for OUSD school board members.
Posted inEducation Equity
How can schools teach about gun violence? These Oakland teachers created an entire curriculum
Athena Larios and Melanie Swandby designed the “Addressing Gun Violence Toolkit” after one of their students was shot and killed. Now they’re sharing it with other teachers.
Posted inEducation Equity
Alysse Castro wins Alameda County superintendent race against incumbent L.K. Monroe
In an upset victory, Alysse Castro defeated incumbent L.K. Monroe in the Alameda County Superintendent of Schools election with 53% of votes.
Posted inEducation Equity
The OUSD board has 2 weeks to appoint a D6 director. Meet the applicants
The group is a mix of parents, educators, and longtime Oakland residents.
Posted inEducation Equity
OUSD board faces demands from Parker elementary protesters
Also: A tax measure to support college and career readiness for Oakland students could be on the ballot in November.
Posted inEducation Equity
Alameda County election results: Alysse Castro takes lead over L.K. Monroe in superintendent’s race
Incumbent L.K. Monroe faced challenger Alysse Castro, who oversees alternative schools in San Francisco.
Posted inEducation Equity
Fruitvale students tested their soil and found lead contamination. Now they’re campaigning to fix it
The Oakland middle-schoolers found lead levels of more than twice the limit recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency at their campus and in their neighborhood.
Posted inEducation Equity
Parker elementary families don’t want their school to close. So they’ve taken it over
A group of Oakland moms and their children are offering their own “community school” on campus.
Posted inEducation Equity
OUSD board discusses universal TK, special education, and Measure N
Oakland kids are on summer break, but the school board must adopt a budget and appoint a new District 6 director before the end of June.
Posted inEducation Equity
New program puts Oakland high schoolers in the teachers’ seat
The internship started as a way to address learning loss and understaffing at elementary schools.
Posted inHealth & Environment
Baby formula shortage: An Oakland maternity nurse shares tips and resources
Don’t dilute baby formula, avoid homemade recipes, and more advice for caregivers in need.
