Many teachers in Oakland, California, are expected to go on strike for one day today to protest school closures scheduled for this year and next. Thus, the Oakland Unified School District has advised parents not to send their children to school on Friday since most teachers are expected to be absent. Quoting Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell in a letter to parents:
"While school buildings will be open on Friday and all employees are still required to come to work, we do not believe that we'll be able to cover the high number of expected staff absences with substitutes or reassigned central office staff."
Local teachers in Oakland argue that losing one day of education is nothing compared to what will occur if the district shuts multiple schools permanently. Therefore, thousands of teachers in the local area are expected to go on strike and protest the planned school closures.
Brookfield Elementary, Carl B. Munck Elementary, Grass Valley Elementary, Horace Mann Elementary, and Korematsu Discovery Academy will shut in the 2022-2023 school year if the planned closures go ahead. The middle school grades at Hillcrest K-8 would also be closed.
According to CBS News, The Oakland Unified School board asked the California Public Employment Relations Board to stop the planned protest against school closures. However, that request was reportedly denied yesterday afternoon.
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