Mindy Pechenuk, candidate for Oakland Mayor

April 7, 2025

Press Release Our OUSD is in Trouble. Our Children Deserve A Future!

I am writing to address an important issue that directly impacts the future of our city—Oakland Public Schools. Education has always been the cornerstone of national development. In the United States, we have succeeded because of the importance and funding we place on our public education system, from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Unfortunately, this is no longer the reality for the city of Oakland.

The city’s broken budget has not only affected our police and public safety but it has also contributed to a rise in prostitution, drugs, gangs, and even weapons on our streets. This is heartbreaking for our beautiful city. Each year, the city fails to properly support the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) with the funding and guidance necessary for its success. As a result, our schools are facing budget cuts, including the closure of one school and the potential closure of another, alongside the difficult decision to lay off many teachers, paraprofessionals, and staff in the coming school year.

Despite these challenges, the school district's role is to continue providing essential services for our children, including academic support, alternative curricula, and special education. The solution for OUSD should not be closing public schools in neighborhoods that need them the most. If these schools are closed, children will be forced to travel to other schools or, worse, be pushed into charter or private schools.

Additionally, many online schools in Oakland have become a vital source of education for Muslim girls in our community. These students have found refuge in online schools that respect their religion and culture while offering a high-quality American education. Now, with the impending budget cuts, the city is considering closing online schools that are so essential to these students' academic success.

For my mayoral campaign, I firmly believe that our education system in Oakland must be celebrated and fully funded. Our schools should offer the best academic education, including strong Math programs, STEM opportunities, and arts like theater, music, and sports. We must prioritize the safety of our students and teachers. Our children deserve better, and our teachers in Oakland deserve the respect and support they need.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

FPPC # 1477156

Contact Gerald Pechenuk for more information: cities12345678@gmail.com