1. My name is Gloria Lee. I have chosen to put down my roots in Oakland because I
love the vibrancy and diversity of our city. My six-year old attends a public charter
school that I was part of founding; this fall my younger son will enroll there as a
kindergartener.
All children deserve an excellent education no matter where they're from or what
their parents do for a living. I work for an education not-for-profit organization,
and am constantly amazed and inspired by the dedication and talent of the
educators and school leaders here working to make that a reality
Many opportunities in my life have come as a result of the great public education I
received growing up. I want every neighborhood in Oakland to have world-class
public schools where children will graduate ready
to live their dreams.

2. Special thanks to our
Host Committee
Honorable Libby Schaaf Jack McAboy
John Bliss Joshua Newman
Jill Broadhurst Andy & Janine Rogers
Ces Butner Brian & Katie Rogers
Tom Clifford David Stein & CJ Hirschfield
EdTec Inc. Miye Takagi
Envision Schools Gene Zahas
Pat Hardy

3. I'm Susie Wise. I am an
Oakland Mom and one of the
founders of Urban Montessori
Charter School. I am passionate
about the role design thinking
can play in building diverse and
inclusive school communities.
My dream for Oakland's
education ecosystem is to
nurture and catalyze schools
where children learn to be
confident in their creative
abilities. I want to live in a city
where ALL children know deep
down that they have the power
to change the world.

4. My name is Mirella Rangel and I live and work in Oakland. I raise my children here and I’ve worked in Oakland’s
education system for 14 years, first as a math and science teacher, and now as the Executive Director of
Oakland Leaf. I adore Oakland and its people. I am proud of Oakland’s rich cultural legacy but saddened by the
fact that our children and youth suffer because people refuse to put their personal agendas aside. I fear that we
are on the verge of failure. It is time to come together and put the needs of Oakland’s children first.
Me llamo Mirella Rangel. Trabajo y vivo en Oakland. He trabajado en el sistema de educación en Oakland por
14 años y aquí crío a mis hijo e hija. Adoro a Oakland y la gente que vive aquí. Como maestra de ciencia y
matemáticas y ahora como directora de Oakland Leaf se que la riqueza cultural de Oakland no se encuentra
en ningún otra parte del mundo, pero nuestros niños y jóvenes sufren las batallas entre los adultos y temo
que estamos en el precipicio de fallar. Entre nosotros tenemos que buscar soluciones basados en las
necesidades de los niños y las niñas de Oakland. Yo soy GO.

5. Maps adapted from materials developed by Oakland Unified and Oakland Community Organizations.

6. Progress. Much to do.
Maps adapted from materials developed by Oakland Unified and Oakland Community Organizations.

7. My name is Finis Altheimer, and I am a senior at Metwest High
School in OUSD.
This semester I am an intern at GO Public Schools.
I am involved with GO Public Schools because education is
important - especially to those who have problems learning. I
am working with GO as an intern to help schools fight for
autonomies that in danger, the autonomies that help schools
cater to their children with special needs.

8. CA Compared to National School Funding
SOURCE: California Budget Project, http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2010/1006_SFF_how_does_ca_compare.pdf

9. My name is Charles Wilson. I am an elementary school principal in
Oakland. I have worked as a researcher, teacher, and administrator
with OUSD since 1994.
I have worked with our community to make our school, the Fred T.
Korematsu Discovery Academy, the most improved elementary school
in Alameda County.
Our school's community should be able to make decisions about what
they need in their school. Decisions need to be focused first on the
needs of our students instead of the needs of adults.

10. GO Values
Students First
Every decision should focus on what Oakland students need in order to attain a quality education. For many Oakland
students, accessing quality public schools is an issue of life or death. We must work with tremendous urgency. Students
cannot wait until tomorrow.
Sense of Possibility
All children can succeed as a result of quality schools and effective teaching. Innovation and inquiry are essential to
disrupt the status quo in service of students.
Equity
Students of all backgrounds and in all neighborhoods deserve equitable and excellent outcomes. Resources and
opportunities must be prioritized for historically underserved communities and students.
Power of Community
Our Oakland community has high expectations for our students and public schools – and the power to deliver quality
education for all students. Together, we are responsible for preparing all students with the skills and knowledge
required for success in college, career, and life.
Shared Decision-Making and Accountability
People should have a say in the decisions that shape their lives, and educational decisions should be made
transparently, based on evidence, and by those who are closest to students. Those who are responsible for making
decisions should be held accountable for those decisions based on student results.
Respectful Communication
We communicate directly and with respect at all times, enabling us to be transparent and pragmatic, foster learning,
and create long-lasting, accountable relationships.

11. My name is Carmelita Reyes, and I moved to Oakland a
decade ago to participate in the small schools
movement. After teaching 10th grade humanities and
journalism for 6 years, I embarked on a new challenge
... opening a high school that served the unique needs
of newly arrived immigrants and refugees. Oakland
International High School serves OUSD students from
32 countries speaking 29 languages other than
English. At OIHS, we provide academic programs and
offer services to support this vulnerable community of
new Americans.
It is my hope that we can become a model of success
for urban districts. We will honor and support teachers
to create curriculum and programs that meet the needs
of our community. It is my hope that the business
community, non profits, local government, unions,
teachers, school leaders, and district administration can
work together strategically to align resources and create
the conditions necessary for student
achievement. Behind every decision should be this
question, "Is it good for kids?"

12. Thanks to the local businesses that have
supported Great Oakland Public Schools