A budget that reflects our
Oakland’s budget is a moral document. Every dollar we spend should move us closer to safe schools, stable classrooms, and thriving students. As your OUSD District 4 representative, I will fight for a budget that is transparent, student-centered, and accountable to our community—not to bureaucracy.
This plan lays out how we will follow the money, shift it toward classrooms, and invest in the people and programs that help students succeed.
Fund community priorities
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Teacher pay increases for school stability – Keep great educators in Oakland by paying them fairly.
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Literacy intervention in second grade – Make sure every child can read by third grade with targeted support.
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Enrichment offerings like orchestra and the arts – Give students access to music, arts, and enrichment that build confidence and joy in learning.
Our budget must reflect what our community has been asking for, year after year:
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Meet with the community and listen first
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Hold regular community meetings in District 4 schools
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Invite teachers, staff, families, and students into the budgeting process
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Use community feedback to guide priorities and tough choices
A budget should be built with the people it affects most. I will:
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Bring role definition & accountability to the district office
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Clarify who is responsible for maintenance, repairs, and safety at each site
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Set timelines and standards for responding to issues
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Track progress publicly so families can see what’s being done
Our students deserve well-run and well-maintained schools. That starts with clear roles and real accountability. I will:
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Move money away from the central office and into schools
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Reduce unnecessary central office spending
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Prioritize funding for teachers, counselors, and support staff
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Ensure schools have the resources they need for basics and beyond: materials, safe facilities, and enrichment
Too much of our funding gets stuck in the central office instead of reaching classrooms. I will work to:
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Dig into the OUSD budget and follow every dollar
- Make budget information easy to understand for families and staff
- Make plain the budgeting process and who decides what is spent
- Share findings with the community in plain language
We can’t fix what we can’t see. I will push for a clear, public breakdown of how every dollar is spent. I will:
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When we align our budget with our values, we...
- Improve teacher retention and reduce disruptive turnover
- Support early literacy so more students read on grade level
- Create safer, better-maintained school environments
- Build trust through transparency and real community input
This isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet—it’s about the daily experience of students, families, and educators in every District 4 school.
Share your
This plan is a starting point, not the final word. I want to hear from you:
What do you want to see funded in our schools?
Where do you think money is being wasted?
What would make the biggest difference for your
student or your classroom?
Use the form below to tell me what matters most to you.
Together, we can build a budget that truly reflects Oakland’s
values and invests in our kids’ future.
