Controversial Oakland School Closing Plan Narrowly Approved After Hours Of Emotional Debate

By CBS San Francisco Staff:

OAKLAND (CBS SF) — After hours of emotional debate, the Oakland Unified School District Board of Education narrowly approved a revised plan early Wednesday to close seven schools, merge two others and cut grades from two more over the next two years.

The plan had been a source of controversy, protests and even an 8-day hunger strike by two teachers over the last several weeks. The angry response did result in the board removing Prescott Elementary completely from the closure list and delaying the closure of Brookfield Elementary, Carl B. Munck Elementary and Grass Valley Elementary until next school year.

Only RISE Elementary with New Highland Elementary will be merged and two schools will close at the end of the current school year: Community Day School and Parker Elementary School.

Read more at CBS

CBS Local Digital Media personalizes the global reach of CBS-owned and operated television and radio stations with a local perspective.