ISSUES
"I come from a proud family deeply rooted in public service. This commitment to serving my community has been a guiding force in my life for as long as I can remember. My goal is to work for all of us, creating more living-wage jobs, improving our schools, and making public safety a top priority—especially by tackling violence on our campuses. With more than a decade of experience in community organizing in Oakland, I have the skills and knowledge to navigate local and state governance, find effective solutions, and get things done"
-Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez
Your candidate for Oakland School Board
ISSUES & SOLUTIONS
Quality of Education
Families are deeply invested in the quality of education their children receive. This includes concerns about curriculum standards, teacher effectiveness, and student outcomes.
What can we do?
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Provide Comprehensive Teacher Support: Collaborate closely with educators in the classroom to identify and address gaps in teaching practices. By partnering with teachers, we can develop robust professional development programs and evaluation systems that ensure high teaching standards. This approach fosters continuous growth and equips teachers with the tools and strategies they need to succeed.
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A-G Completion: The A-G credit program in OUSD is designed to align with college readiness standards, helping students prepare for higher education. The key challenge is ensuring that students stay on track with these requirements. To address this, we can implement early intervention strategies, including credit recovery programs for students missing course credits. This proactive approach helps students meet graduation requirements and be better prepared for college and beyond'
Equity and Inclusion
There is a pressing need to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have equitable access to resources and opportunities. This includes addressing disparities in educational quality and providing support tailored to the unique needs of various student subgroups.
What can we do?
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Targeted Programs: Expand the Office of Equity programming to address disparities in student achievement across different subgroups, including special education students, English language learners, unhoused and newcomer students. By tailoring programs and resources to meet the specific needs of these groups, we can ensure that all students receive a quality education and have the support necessary to succeed.
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Community Engagement: Strengthen adherence to state law requirements for School Site Councils (SSCs) and Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) advisory committees, which formalize student and parent contributions to decisions about school site budgets and policies. We must actively work to fill existing vacancies on these committees and proactively inform families about these opportunities to engage in their school’s governance. This engagement is crucial for addressing equity issues and implementing strategies that promote inclusivity and representation in decision-making processes.
Access to Mental Health Services
The mental health and well-being of students are increasingly critical, especially in light of recent challenges.
What can we do?
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Increase Mental Health Staff: To better support students, we need to hire more school counselors and psychologists. We can seek funding through grants from state resources and philanthropic organizations to enhance our mental health services and ensure every student has access to the care they need.
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Mental Health Awareness Days: Implement bi-annual Mental Health Awareness Days for students and staff. These events will focus on educating the school community about mental health, reducing stigma, and providing resources and support to those in need.
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Community Partnerships: Collaborate with local mental health organizations to offer comprehensive services, including counseling, workshops, and crisis intervention. These partnerships can help expand the range of support available to students and ensure they have access to specialized care when necessary.
Ensuring Student Safety and a Respectful School Environment
Oakland's schools have faced significant challenges related to gun violence, bullying, harassment, and student fights, making physical and emotional safety a paramount concern for families and educators alike. However, students have voiced concerns that the presence of police in schools can create a hostile environment. It is essential to recognize that two truths can coexist: the need for safer schools and the importance of fostering a school and district culture where respect is demonstrated by all students towards themselves, their peers, and staff. Our goal is to create a secure environment that balances safety measures with a supportive atmosphere, ensuring every student feels respected and valued.
What can we do?
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Expand Restorative Justice Programs: Develop and expand restorative justice initiatives to address conflicts and incidents within schools. These programs focus on mediation and reconciliation, allowing students to resolve issues constructively while building a sense of community and accountability. This approach helps reduce incidents of violence and harassment by fostering a culture of respect and understanding among students.
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Enhance Campus Security and Mental Health Support: Invest in non-invasive security measures, such as improved lighting and secure entry systems, to enhance physical safety on school campuses. Additionally, increase the availability of mental health resources, including counselors and support staff, to provide students with the emotional and psychological support they need. This dual approach addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of student safety, creating a more secure and supportive school environment.
College and Career Readiness
Families want to be confident that their children are being adequately prepared for college and future careers. Ensuring students have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in higher education and the workforce is a top priority.
What can we do?
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College Prep Programs: Provide comprehensive college preparation programs, including SAT and ACT test prep, to help students excel in these crucial exams. Offering resources and support for college applications, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities is also essential to guiding students through the college admissions process.
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Mandatory A-G Completion: Ensure that all students complete the A-G course requirements, which are necessary for admission to California's public universities. This standardization will help students graduate from Oakland Public Schools ready for college-level coursework.
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Career and Technical Education (CTE): Expand CTE programs to equip students with practical skills and career pathways. These programs offer hands-on training in various fields, from technology to trades, preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce or further specialized education.
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Partnerships with Unions: Leverage the presence of over 100 unions in Alameda County to create internship and mentorship opportunities that provide real-world experience. With the recent passage of Asm. Liz Ortega's AB 800, which establishes a "Workplace Readiness Week" in California public schools, students will learn about their workplace rights, including the benefits of joining a union. This initiative supports the expansion of partnerships with unions to better prepare students for the realities of the workplace.