Overview

• The Oakland school board's March decision to cap services and contracts spending at $125 million has led to severe cuts in after-school programs, risking 50–80% reductions in services.
• The funding cuts primarily affect state- and federally-funded programs, forcing the district to return millions in restricted grants that cannot be reallocated elsewhere.
• Board members Mike Hutchinson and Clifford Thompson are introducing a resolution to rescind the cap, while state trustee Luz Cázares has criticized the decision as poorly planned and lacking transparency.
• Parents, nonprofit leaders, and principals warn that these cuts will harm low-income families who rely on after-school services for childcare, meals, and enrichment activities.
• Board members Jennifer Brouhard and Rachel Latta claim they were unaware of the full impact of the cap, while district staff assert they had issued clear warnings about the consequences.