Flanked by Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, newly elected Assemblymember Sandré Swanson introduces his first bill, AB 45. This bill will establish the mechanism for return of local governance and accountability to the Oakland Unified School District, giving parents and the community democratic involvement in the decisions affecting their children’s education. The number one issue Mr. Swanson heard from Oakland residents during his campaign for State Assembly was the loss of community participation in the schools, which began with the State’s financial takeover of the school district in 2003.  With no clear path for return of local governance, many have feared that the district would remain under state control indefinitely.

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