The Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) is preparing for significant budget reductions as it faces a $100 million shortfall in its 2026-27 budget. Superintendent Dr. Denise Gail Saddler addressed the community about the financial challenges, noting that every department has been tasked with identifying possible cuts since the Board passed a resolution nearly four weeks ago.
“There’s no way to cut $100 million—roughly 20% of our unrestricted general fund budget—without significant pain. People we know and care about will lose their jobs. Programs our students love will be reduced or eliminated. Services our families depend on will change,” Saddler wrote.
This week, OUSD received conditional approval of its 2025-26 budget from Alameda County Superintendent of Schools Alysse Castro, who expressed reservations about the district’s approach. In her letter, Castro stated: “At its October meeting, the Board continued a troubling—and troublingly familiar—pattern of deferring difficult decisions. Rather than adopting a concrete, time-bound plan to address significant budget shortfalls, the Board approved what can best be described as a plan to have a plan.”
Castro also wrote: “OUSD’s history reveals an undeniable pattern: requesting plans, then disregarding them; rejecting staff recommendations; changing direction and directions, and, when difficult decisions are finally made, rescinding them shortly thereafter.”
Saddler acknowledged these concerns and emphasized that financial difficulties have been anticipated for several years due to the expiration of one-time COVID pandemic relief funds.
“I’ve worked in Oakland schools for 45 years… Now those one-time funds are gone. And this time, our financial situation is genuinely urgent,” she said.
To protect classroom instruction as much as possible, Saddler directed departments to focus initial reductions on Central Office operations rather than school sites. She also outlined a Care-Centered framework prioritizing students’ and families’ needs while seeking to minimize harm to teachers and staff.
The superintendent noted that there is growing recognition among principals and parent groups that immediate action is needed to balance the budget and maintain local control over district decisions.
“At a Special Meeting on November 19, our business team will present to the Board at least two budget-balancing options. The Board will then have several weeks to review these plans, hear from the community, and make a decision—expected at the December 10 Board meeting,” Saddler said.
She called for community participation in upcoming meetings and encouraged stakeholders to share their perspectives through various channels listed at www.ousd.org/budget.
Saddler concluded by emphasizing her commitment: “I wouldn’t be sounding this alarm if I didn’t believe to my core that we are facing a real crisis. I care too much about Oakland’s children to cry wolf.”
The next opportunities for public engagement include tonight’s Budget and Finance Committee Meeting at MetWest High School, followed by special board sessions on November 19 and December 10.
