Advocate for Oakland Students

The OUSD Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs works with the elected officials who represent Oakland at all levels of government - including the City of Oakland, Alameda County, the California Legislature, and Congress - to boost funding and adopt policies to support student success from the pre-kindergarten classroom to the college campus.

We will periodically add information about bills and topics of interest for OUSD stakeholders to review. Please refer to the left hand side of this webpage for legislative updates, more information about current topics and bills, and what you can do to voice your opinion. If you agree with the District’s stance on an issue, we encourage you to support the work by taking action.

OUSD needs the help of community members like YOU to fight for the best interests of our students! Learn how to contact your representatives HERE.

Click Here to Contact your Director

Apply to Join a Board Commission

School Board Positions related to Pending Bills in the State Legislature (last updated 04.11.18)

Advocacy Alerts

The California School Board's Association has put together a useful toolkit for reaching out to state and federal officials for the funding our schools desperately need.

There are sample letters, email, and social media posts that you can use to make your voice heard!

Legislative Priorities & Updates

OUSD Legislative Platform:

OUSD's Legislative Principles and 2020 State Legislative Priorities (updated February 12, 2020) will serve as a tool for the Board and the District's legislative advocates, staff, and community to promote the District’s interests.

OUSD's Advocacy:

On May 18, OUSD joined with five other California districts to send a letter to Governor Newsom to request more resources and outlined some speciifc proposals for relief.

On April 30, the Board of Education sent a letter about the impact of the Covid-19 health on Oakland schools to California Governor Gavin Newsom. It outlines their priorties for the upcoming budget and legislative session.

On April 28, the OUSD joined a letter with 62 other urban school districts, as a part of the Council of Great City Schools, to advocate to for increased support from the federal government.

Get Involved:

The California School Board's Association has put together a useful toolkit for reaching out to state and federal officials. It has tools and talking points. There are sample letters, email, and social media posts that you can use to make your voice heard!

Legislative Updates

Every month, legislation that affects school districts across the state and nation is passed. This page describes key legislative updates that impact OUSD.

Legislative Updates Report (4/11/18)

Your Representatives

Buffy Wicks

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D) representing District 15

District includes parts of Oakland (Rockridge, Montclair as far south as the intersection of Joaquin Miller & Skyline, Dimond, Oakmore, Shepherd's Canyon, Piedmont Pines).

Capitol Office:

State Capitol

P.O. Box 942849

Sacramento, CA 94249-0015

Tel: (916) 319-2015

Fax: (916) 319-2115

District Office:

1515 Clay Street

Suite 2201

Oakland, CA 94612

Tel: (510) 286-1400

Fax: (510) 286-1406

Website: https://a15.asmdc.org

Facebook: /AsmBuffyWicks/

Twitter: @BuffyWicks

District 18 Assemblymember Rob Bonta

Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D) representing District 18

District includes Alameda; much of Oakland (West, Central and East); San Leandro.

Capitol Office:

Room 2148

P.O. Box 942849

Sacramento, CA 94249-0018

Tel: (916) 319-2018

Fax: (916) 319-2118

District Office:

1515 Clay Street

Suite 2204

Oakland, CA 94612

Phone: (510) 286-1670

Fax: (510) 286-1888

Website: https://a18.asmdc.org

Facebook: /RobBontaCA/

Twitter: @RobBonta

District 9 State Senator Nancy Skinner

State Senator Nancy Skinner (D) representing District 9

Representing the cities of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Emeryville, El Sobrante, Hercules, Kensington, Oakland, Piedmont, Pinole, Richmond, Rodeo, San Leandro and San Pablo

Capitol Office:

State Capitol

Room 2059

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: (916) 651-4009

Fax: (916) 327-1997

District Office

1515 Clay Street

Suite 2202

Oakland, CA 94612

Phone: (510) 286-1333

Fax: (510) 286-3885