Oakland Unified School District

Board of Education

1011 Union Street, #940

Oakland, CA 94607-2236

(510) 879-1940

510 627-9440 eFax

711 TTY/TDD

boe@ousd.org E-Mail

http://www.ousd.org

ACCESSIBILITY OF AGENDA AND AGENDA MATERIALS

Agenda and agenda materials are accessible at http://www.ousd.org or from any computer terminal in the Offices of the

Board of Education and Superintendent, 1000 Broadway, Suite 300, Oakland, CA 94607-4099

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE AND LANGUAGE SERVICES

Individuals requiring interpretation or translation services or a reasonable accommodation to participate in meetings

should notify the Office of the Board of Education seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting at either

(510)879-8199(VM); or boe@ousd.org (E-Mail); or

(510) 879-2300 (eTTY/TDD); or (510) 879-2299 (eFax).

Meeting Minutes Long - Final

Monday, January 5, 2026

11:00 AM

Annual Organizational Meeting

4728 Edgewood Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602 and

Committee Room, KDOL TV Studio, B-237, Met West High School Entrance, 314

East 10th Street, Oakland, CA 94606-2291, Internet - Zoom & Granicus;

Broadcasted - KDOL-TV (Comcast Channel 27 and AT&T Channel 99)

Board of Education

President Jennifer Brouhard

Vice President Valarie Bachelor

Directors: Rachel Latta, VanCedric Williams, Mike Hutchinson, Patrice Berry, Clifford

Thompson

Student Directors: Maximus Simmons, Marianna Smith

Staff: Denise Gail Saddler, Ed.D., Interim Superintendent & Secretary

ON-LINE SPEAKER CARD REGISTRATION

Public Comment, at the meeting, will be taken individually on Agenda Items

indicated by microphone icon.

You may register to speak in advance on the Agenda Item whether

attending the meeting by teleconference, e.g., Zoom, or in person.

On line Speaker Card Registration (Sign In To Speak) opens at minimum 72

hours in advance for a Regular Meeting or at minimum 24 hours in advance

for a Special Meeting. Use the eComment Link to Sign In (Register) to

Speak up to one hour before the beginning of the meeting. Manual (Paper)

Speaker Cards also will be available at the meeting for completion.

registered, first called, in order of

Registration whether participation is in person or virtually, e.g. Zoom, or by

audio, e.g., telephone.

For advanced pre-meeting Registration, You must establish a one time

OUSD eComment - Sign In (Register) To Speak Account providing your

First Name and Last Name and your email address. Your First Name and

Last Name, as Registered, must also show as the Participant or Profile

Name on a teleconference system (i.e., Zoom, webex, other). You will be

requested to Register the first time you use eComment - Sign In To Speak.

The Sign In To Speak System, after the one time registration, will remember

you by first name and last name

associated with your email address (profile), making it easier for you to

electronically Register or Sign In to Speak on an Agenda Item at a future

OUSD legislative meeting, e.g., Board, committee, commission.

Early pre-meeting Sign In To Speak (Registration) is urged for all - whether

you plan to attend meeting in person or view meeting via teleconference or

listen to the meeting by telephone. Names will be called in Sign In To

Speak order received.

NOTICE - MEDIA/MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ATTEND

AND PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON OR VIRTUALLY

Members of the media and the public may attend and participate in the

Board meeting in-person in the Committee Room, KDOL TV Studio, B-237,

Met West High School Entrance, 314 East 10th Street, Oakland, CA

94606-2291, Internet - Zoom & Granicus; Broadcasted - KDOL-TV

(Comcast Channel 27 and AT&T Channel 99) or other noticed location or

virtually as described herein.

The following information is for those members of the media and public

interested in viewing or listening to the Board meeting virtually.

•

Zoom: To view by Zoom, please click

https://ousd.zoom.us/j/87660104947 on or after the Noticed meeting time.

Instructions on how to join a meeting by video conference are available at:

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting.

•

Phone: To listen by phone (via Zoom), please do the following at or after

the Noticed meeting time: call (669) 900-9128, then enter Webinar ID 876

6010 4947, then press “#”. If asked for a participant id or code, press #.

Instructions on how to join a meeting by phone are available at:

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362663

-Joining-a-meeting-by-phone.

•

To view the Board meeting from the District’s Home Page - Upcoming

Events & Live Meeting Video, please select the meeting name and click on

the “In Progress” link under Video or go to the Legislative Information Center

(under Board of Education on Home Page)>Calendar

Tab>Calendar>Today>Board of Education>”In Progress” link under Video.

Public comment in-person is permitted within the times allotted for public

comment on the Agenda. Virtual comment will also be permitted within the

times allotted for public comment on the Agenda in the following two ways:

NOTICE - MEDIA/MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ATTEND

AND PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON OR VIRTUALLY

(CONTINUED)

•

To comment virtually by Zoom, if you have made a pre-meeting

Request to Speak, when your name is called, click the “Raise Your Hand”

button. You will be unmuted and allowed to make public comment. After the

allotted time,you will then be re-muted. Instructions on how to “Raise Your

Hand” is available at:: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/205566129

-RaiseHand-In-Webinar.

•

To comment by phone (via Zoom), if you have made a pre-meeting

Request to Speak, when your name is called, press “*9” to “Raise Your

Hand." You will be unmuted and allowed to make public comment. You will

then be remuted.Instructions of how to raise your hand by phone are

available at: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362663-Joinin

g-a-meeting-by-phone.

In addition, members of the public may submit written comments for a

posted Board of Education Meeting Agenda Item, before a meeting or while

a meeting is “In Progress,” from the District’s Home Page - Upcoming

Events & Live Meeting Video by selecting Board of Education Agenda

“eComment” or from the Legislative Information Center, as follows:

•

If before Sunday, click Calendar Tab>Next Week>Board of

Education>eComment

If Sunday or thereafter up thru day before Meeting, click Calendar

Tab>This Week>Board of Education>eComment

If day of Meeting, click Calendar Tab>Today>Board of

•

Education>eComment

Or “eComment” in bold on the cover page of the Agenda.

Written comments made on an eligible Agenda item, upon clicking of the

Submit Button, are immediately sent via email to all members of the

legislative body and key staff supporting the legislative body. Each

eComment is a Public Record.

BOARD OF EDUCATION PROTOCOLS

The purpose of these protocols is to provide a basic set of professional

standards by which the Board and the Superintendent are to function as a

team. There is no intention to abridge the rights and obligations of Board

Members to oversee the operation of the organization, nor to interfere with

the Superintendent with her role as the Superintendent of OUSD.

General

1. Every action by a Board Member should be directed toward improving the

educational program for students.

2. Every Board Member will exhibit behavior that is honorable, honest, and

dedicated to the success of the students and staff of the district.

3. Each Board Member is to be treated with dignity and respect.

4. Board Member Commitment will include:

− Participate fully in the discussion of issues

− Listen respectfully to all views and opinions

− Respect each individual’s opinion

− Accept the majority action of the Board

Board Members

5. An individual Board Member will not use the media as a personal forum,

unless it is clearly indicated that the opinion is personal and not

representative of the Board majority position.

6. Each Board Member will make every effort to attend all Board meetings in

person; and to start and end on time.

7. Board Members will ensure opportunities for each to comment.

Superintendent

8. Staff is the responsibility of the Superintendent who will bring

recommendations to the Board for action.

9. Questions regarding Board agenda items are to be communicated to the

Superintendent prior to the Board meeting and the Superintendent will

respond in a timely manner.

10. The Superintendent is to communicate all significant administrative

actions to the Board.

11. Legal and personnel matters will be confidential.

MEETING RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

* Up to Three (3) minute speaking limit for Board Members

* No mingling with the audience

* Address comments to other Board Members

* Focus on agenda items

* Don't repeat what's been said

* Always be respectful

* No interruptions

* Enforce norms

* Model desired behavior

MEETING PROCEDURES

All Board meetings shall begin on time and shall be guided by an Agenda

prepared in accordance with Board bylaws and posted and distributed in

accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act (open meeting requirements) and

other applicable laws.

(cf. 9322 - Agenda/Meeting Materials)

The President shall conduct Board meetings in accordance with law, Board

Bylaws, and its parliamentary authority which shall enable the Board to

efficiently consider issues and carry out the will of the majority.

(cf. 9121 - President)

The Board believes that late night meetings deter public participation, can

affect the Board's decision-making ability, and can be a burden to staff.

Regular Board meetings shall be adjourned not later than 11:00 p.m. unless

the Board agrees to extend the meeting, which may only be done once by

45 minutes.

(cf. 9320 - Meetings and Notices)

A. Call To Order

B. Roll Call

President Jennifer Brouhard called the 2026 Annual Organizational Meeting

to Order at 11:09 A.M.

Director Mike Hutchinson is participating remotely as Noticed pursuant to

Brown Act requirements.

Present

7 - Director Rachel Latta

Director VanCedric Williams

Director Mike Hutchinson

Director Patrice Berry

Director Clifford Thompson

Vice President Valarie Bachelor

President Jennifer Brouhard

Absent

2 - Student Director Maximus Simmons

Student Director Marianna Smith

Public Comment on All of Today's Agenda Items and Any

Non-Agenda Items Within the Subject Matter Jurisdiction of the

Governing Board - 15 Minutes

The items are listed pursuant to law.

26-0001

Public Comment on All of Today's Agenda Items and Any

Non-Agenda Items Within the Subject Matter Jurisdiction of the

District - 15 Minutes

Public Comment on All of Today's Agenda Items and Any

Non-Agenda Items Within the Subject Matter Jurisdiction of

the District - January 5, 2026.

Speaker

Assata Olugbala

D. Nomination(s) for President, Governing Board - 2026 Term

Any Regular member of the Governing Board is eligible for nomination to an

elected officer position. A member may self-nominate, no second required.

RONR (12th ed.) 46:6.

Nominee(s) may have up to 2 Minutes to make nomination acceptance

speech.

Director VanCedric Williams nominated President Jennifer Brouhard for

President for the 2026 term. Director Patrice Berry nominated Director Mike

Hutchinson for President for the 2026 Term. No second required. Both

nominees were invited and gave brief remarks, two minutes or less, in

support of their respective candidacy for President.

E. Election, President, Governing Board - 2026 Term

Parliamentarian Edgar Rakestraw, Jr., given there are two candidates for

President, asked voting members, upon Roll Call, to please state the name

of the candidate for whom he/she is voting; that statement of the name

would be deemed an "Aye" vote for the candidate.

The Roll Call results for each candidate is as stated below in Legislative File

26-0002 and 26-0002A:

26-0002

Election of the President, Governing Board - 2026 Term

Shall Jennifer Brouhard* be elected President, Governing

Board of the Oakland Unified School District for the 2026

Term?

___

* If there is more than one nominee for the Office, upon Roll

Call, please state the name of the member for whom you are

voting. Stating of the name of a member, under this

circumstance, is an “Aye’ vote. Four “Ayes” required to elect to

the Office.

President Jennifer Brouhard having received four "Aye" votes is elected

President of the Board for the 2026 Term.

Upon the Roll Call, President Brouhard, having received four "Ayes",

is elected President, Board for the 2026 Term.

Ayes:

4 - Rachel Latta

VanCedric Williams

Valarie Bachelor

Jennifer Brouhard

2 - Maximus Simmons

Marianna Smith

Absent:

Non-voting:

3 - Mike Hutchinson

Patrice Berry

Clifford Thompson

Enactment No: 26-0001

26-0002A

Election of the President, Governing Board - 2026 Term

Shall Mike Hutchinson be elected President, Governing Board

of the Oakland Unified School District for the 2026 Term?

___

* If there is more than one nominee for the Office, upon Roll

Call, please state the name of the member for whom you are

voting. Stating of the name of a member, under this

circumstance, is an “Aye’ vote. Four “Ayes” required to elect to

the Office.

Director Mike Hutchinson having received three "Aye" votes is not elected

President of the Board for the 2026 Term.

Upon the Roll Call, Director Hutchinson, having received three "Ayes",

is not elected President,.Board for the 2026 Term.

3 - Mike Hutchinson

Ayes:

Patrice Berry

Clifford Thompson

Absent:

2 - Maximus Simmons

Marianna Smith

Non-voting:

4 - Rachel Latta

VanCedric Williams

Valarie Bachelor

Jennifer Brouhard

Enactment No: N/A

Nomination(s) for Vice President, Governing Board - 2026 Term

Any Regular member of the Governing Board is eligible for nomination to an

elected officer position. A

member may self-nominate, no second required. RONR (12th ed.) 46:6.

Nominee(s) may have up to 2 Minutes to make nomination acceptance

speech.

President Jennifer Brouhard nominated Vice President Valarie Bachelor for

Vice President, Board for the 2026 term. No second required. No other

nominations made. The Nominee was invited and gave brief remarks, two

minutes or less, in support of her candidacy for Vice President.

G. Election, Vice President, Governing Board - 2026 Term

Parliamentarian Rakestraw, given there is one candidate for Vice President,

asked voting members, upon Roll Call, to please state "Aye" or "Yes" or

"Nay" or "No" [or other] for the candidate. The Roll Call results for the

candidate is as stated below:

26-0003

Election of the Vice President, Governing Board - 2026 Term

Shall (Nominee)* be elected Vice President, Governing Board

of the Oakland Unified School District for the 2026 Term?

___

* If there is more than one nominee for the Office, upon Roll

Call, please state the name of the member for whom you are

voting. Stating of the name of a member, under this

circumstance, is an “Aye’ vote. Four “Ayes” required to elect to

the Office.

Vice President Valarie Bachelor having received five "Aye" votes is elected

Vice President of the Board for the 2026 Term.

Upon the Roll Call, Vice President Valarie Bachelor, having received

five "Ayes", is elected Vice President, Board for the 2026 Term.

Ayes:

5 - Rachel Latta

VanCedric Williams

Patrice Berry

Valarie Bachelor

Jennifer Brouhard

H. President's Address - 5 Minutes

President Brouhard's Address:

Good morning, Board Directors, Student Board Directors, Superintendent,

staff, families, and community members.

I am really honored to accept the position of President of the Oakland

Unified School District Board of Education.

Thank you to my fellow board directors for placing your trust in me during

this pivotal moment for our district. We carry an immense responsibility: the

decisions we make now will shape OUSD for many years to come. At the

center of every decision must be our students and our shared commitment

to ensuring that every child in Oakland receives a high-quality education.

This commitment means prioritizing student achievement, fostering working

conditions that allow our talented staff to thrive, and ensuring safe and

welcoming school as the foundation for learning. It means providing schools

with the resources they need and centering equity, quality, and opportunity

in all of our work. It also means focusing intentionally on students with the

greatest needs—disabilities, newcomers and English learners, unhoused

and foster youth, and African American students.

This past year has been one of deep and necessary change. Deep change

is hard, and it is often messy. Mistakes were made, lessons learned, and we

have begun to make changes that we have needed to make for a long time.

I stand firmly behind Superintendent Saddler and her leadership team.

While there may be differences along the way, what has defined this work is

open and direct communication, along with a shared willingness—between

the superintendent, the board, and district leadership—to listen, learn, and

consider new and creative solutions. We cannot be afraid of change, and

we cannot be afraid of making mistakes. What matters is that we

acknowledge them, learn from them, and communicate openly and honestly

with our staff, families, students, and community.

The years ahead will be both challenging and exciting as we continue to

restructure and strengthen OUSD. Last year, we achieved something that

took more than 20 years to achieve: we exited state receivership and

regained local control of our budget. For many staff, students, and families,

receivership was all they ever knew. To those who lived through it—and to

those who are new to OUSD—I am committed to working with the board,

superintendent, labor partners, students, and community to ensure that no

one ever again knows what education in Oakland looks like under state

receivership.

In the coming months, we will face difficult budget decisions to ensure

long-time financial stability while protecting the staff who work most closely

with our students and families. At parent engagements across the district, I

consistently heard how critical site staff are—from nutrition services workers

and custodians, to office staff, librarians, teachers, counselors, and school

leaders. We also know how essential our buildings and grounds teams are

to maintaining safe and functional schools. I want to recognize the buildings

and grounds staff who worked overnight to repair the bathroom following the

tragic shooting at Skyline.

We also face labor challenges in the year ahead. While we reached a

historic agreement with our teachers, we know that historic moments are

temporary. As surrounding districts increase wages, OUSD must continue

working—within our financial constraints—to remain competitive. We also

have sunshine reopeners with UAOS and Building Trades. These

conversations will not be easy, but through collaboration and open

communication, we can work toward agreements that support our staff and,

ultimately, our students. Our students deserve the best educators and

school staff possible.

The current board, including our student board directors, brings deep

experience and strong relationships with school sites, labor partners, and

the community. That collective leadership will be essential as we take on

major decisions ahead, including asset management and facilities planning.

Through the Facilities Committee, we will explore opportunities for career

training, housing for transitional-age youth, workforce housing, and

responsible revenue-generating uses of district property. Early this year, the

board will vote on an ambitious facilities management plan, and this summer

we will begin demolition of the long-vacant 1025 Second Avenue

building—removing a longstanding safety hazard and clearing the way for

future development.

Through the Teaching and Learning Committee, the board will continue

working with educators and district leaders to ensure all students are

reading at grade level by third grade. We will also focus on middle and high

school outcomes so that students graduate reading proficiently, prepared for

college, careers, and full participation in their communities.

This work cannot be done in isolation. We must move forward

collectively—as a board—and in close collaboration with district leadership,

labor partners, site staff, students, and families. Transparency will be

essential as we make budget decisions and engage in the redesign and

re-envisioning of our district. We must collaborate with families and

community partners.

I am humbled to accept the presidency and energized by the opportunities

ahead. With unity, honesty, and an unwavering commitment to our students

and staff, we will meet these challenges head-on and build a strong and

stable future for Oakland’s schools and community.

Thank you.

Vice President's Address - 2 Minutes

Vice President Bachelor's Address:

Colleagues and community. I am deeply honored by your trust and grateful

for the opportunity to serve as vice president of the Oakland Unified School

Board.

I believe we are all here because we care deeply about public education,

our students, our staff and our community. That shared commitment

matters—especially in moments when the work feels difficult or when we do

not agree on the path forward.

As vice president, I will work to foster collaboration, transparency, and

trust—both among us as board members and with the communities we

serve. I will do my best to create space for honest dialogue, thoughtful

disagreement, and shared problem-solving, always grounded in what is best

for students.

Thank you.

New Business

26-0004

2026 Annual Organizational Meeting - Governing Board -

Compliance With Legal Requirements and Other Items of

Business Necessity Including Governing Board Member

Compensation

Adoption by the Governing Board of Resolution No. 2526-0190 -

Adopting, Consolidating, Complying With Annual Organizational

Meeting Requirements and Other Items of Business Necessity,

Including Governing Board Member Compensation, Pursuant to

Chaptered Assembly Bill 1390 (Effective January 1, 2026).

26-0004 2026 Annual Organizational Meeting - Governing

Board - Compliance With Legal Requirements and Other

Items of Business Necessity Including Governing Board

Member Compensation

Attachments:

Public Speaker

Assata Olugbala

Prior to the Vote on the Resolution - Attachment C - President's

Appointments for 2026 Term, President Brouhard nominated Director

Williams to Chair, Teaching and Learning Committee and Director Mike

Hutchinson to Chair, Charter Matters Committee with membership

nominees remaining the same. The Board ratified the President's

Appointments for 2026 Term.

Director Berry, during discussion of this item, made two requests: a) that the

future meetings calendar of all Ad Hoc Committee like the Superintendent

Search Committee be shared in advance with the Public and b) that Board

leadership make the work of the Board more shared among the

membership. President Brouhard so agreed. And Parliamentarian

Rakestraw stated the committee, commission, including Ad Hoc

Committees legislative meeting calendars will be publically shared as soon

as first meeting of said bodies are held or are otherwise known.

A motion was made by Vice President Bachelor, seconded by Director

Thompson, that Resolution No. 2526-0190 be Adopted. The motion

carried by the following vote:

Ayes:

7 - Rachel Latta

VanCedric Williams

Mike Hutchinson

Patrice Berry

Clifford Thompson

Valarie Bachelor

Jennifer Brouhard

2 - Maximus Simmons

Marianna Smith

Absent:

Enactment No: 26-0003