"The warning follows several months of financial crisis within the district. Just a few months ago, Oakland Unified was projected to run out of cash as early as fall 2025, with an anticipated $95 million budget shortfall. That deficit was reduced to $30 million, the district said over the summer, in large part through reduction and rearrangement of staffing. But district staff warned that Oakland Unified was still spending more than it receives and retaining too many employees with money the district simply doesn't have."
"The district faces more financial hurdles in the years to come, with a projected $78 million budget shortfall in 2026-27 and a $72 million budget deficit in 2027-28. Without significant cuts, district staff said Oakland Unified would likely go bankrupt, meaning it would once again need an emergency loan and would face the same state receivership it was under for 20 years."
Control of the Oakland Unified School District returned to local officials four months ago. Superintendent Denise Gail Saddler said $100 million must be cut from the 2026-27 budget to keep the district solvent. She warned that many employees will lose jobs, beloved student programs will be reduced or eliminated, and family services will change. Recent projections once showed a $95 million shortfall that was reduced to $30 million this summer largely through staffing reductions. The district still spends more than it receives and faces projected shortfalls of $78 million in 2026-27 and $72 million in 2027-28, risking bankruptcy and renewed state receivership.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]