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On May 7, 2026, SEIU Local 1021 OUSD's Chapter President, Trish Belenson, and Alameda County COPE Delegate, Juan "Carlos" Ocasio, joined OUSD labor leaders from CTA, OEA, AFSCME, and BCTC, along with Superintendent Dr. Saddler, Board President, Jennifer Brouhard, and Board Vice President, Valarie Bachelor, and Oakland City Council President, Kevin Jenkins, to advocate for full Prop 98 funds for California schools. The coalition also included Richard Barrera, current San Diego Unified School District Board President and State Superintendent Candidate, SEIU Local 99, UTLA, and other LAUSD leaders. 

Governor Newsom's threat to withhold $5.6 billion from California schools in Prop 98 funds greatly impacts Oakland schools, students, and education workers, specifically impacting OUSD with a $27 million cut in public funds. 

The coalition spent the day lobbying and were in meetings with the following lawmakers, The Office of Governor Newsom, State Senator Jesse Arreguín, Assemblymember Mia Bonta, and Assemblymember Liz Ortega. Heartfelt and passioned stories were shared of the challenges schools, students, and workers face when education funding is not secure. The coalition took to the Capitol lawn for a press conference, to report on the day and make it clear why every dollar matters for Oakland and California schools. It was truly a day of public education advocacy and solidarity.

Education advocates call for more school funding

A coalition of education advocates gathered at the state Capitol on Thursday to urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to amend his budget plan and provide more funding for California public schools. (FOX 40 NEWS) 

Why California schools say budget cuts could hurt classrooms statewide 

Educators, labor leaders and school officials gathered at the California State Capitol urging Governor Gavin Newsom and lawmakers to fully fund public schools. The coalition says the governor’s budget proposal would withhold about $5.6 billion from Proposition 98 funding, which guarantees minimum funding levels for California schools. California school funding, Proposition 98, Gavin Newsom, California teachers, teacher layoffs, California budget, public schools, California Teachers Association, school funding cuts, education funding, Sacramento Capitol rally, class sizes, teacher shortage, school layoffs, California education, labor leaders, public education, school budget cuts, mental health resources, California politics (ABC10)

California schools could get billions more in Newsom’s May budget revision

School districts are pressing Gov. Gavin Newsom to include $5.6 billion that he withheld from schools and community colleges in the initial January 2026-27 budget. Assembly and Senate leaders agree. (EdSource)