In her first term on the Oakland School Board, Jody London has been a strong advocate for sound financial management. She has assumed a leadership role as the Board has guided Oakland’s school district out of State receivership and hired the city’s first locally controlled Superintendent in years. With the state budget crisis continuing to threaten funding for public education in California, fiscal responsibility remains a cornerstone of London’s vision for the future of Oakland schools. But even as the district is forced to make difficult decisions about allocating limited resources, London maintains a strong focus on openness, sustainability, academic achievement and equity in education.

Fiscal Responsibility

Across the State, K-12 budgets have been slashed by more than $18 billion over the past several years. In Oakland, revenues have dropped by $120 million since Director London took office in 2009. Against this backdrop, she has made responsible choices that prioritize children and recognize fiscal realities. Read more »

Sustainability

Oakland is one of only 45 school districts in California, out of more than 1000, that uses the green building metrics established by the Collaborative for High Performing Schools. Prior to joining the School Board, in 2006 London co-chaired the campaign for a $435 million capital bond, Measure B.  Funds from Measure B have allowed Oakland Unified to rebuild campuses across the City.  In 2012, the District will adopt a new Facilities Master Plan. Director London is proud that the District is actively soliciting community input to the new Facilities Master Plan, to help think about how schools can better serve Oakland children and families. Read more »

Academic Achievement

For seven years running, Oakland Unified has been the most improved urban school district in California. Oakland is preparing for the rollout in 2014 of common core state standards, which will require students to integrate knowledge and be able to communicate orally and in writing about their learning across all disciplines. Director London was proud in 2009 to support adoption of the A-G college entrance requirements from the University of California and California State University systems as the high school graduation requirement for Oakland students. Read more »

Equity in Education

Oakland Unified has become a national leader in recognizing that academic success is not available to all our students. Director London believes that where you are born, and your family’s circumstances, should not be the sole determinant of your future. The Community Schools, Thriving Students strategic plan provides a roadmap to correcting this inequity. Read more »

Representing Oakland

Director London takes seriously her commitment to representing and communicating with the community. She visits classrooms and attends parent-teacher group or school site council meetings at each school in her district, and she sponsors meetings for the community to meet school district leaders. Read more »