Teachers, students and parents urge OUSD to reverse cuts after noon supervisor role reduced

Dozens of students, parents and school staff told the Oakland Unified School District board on March 25 that cutting a longtime noon‑supervisor at La Escuelita will harm student safety and continuity.

"She's very helpful and...she sticks up for the person," said Tia, a fifth grader, describing why she and other children want "Miss Donna" to keep her position. Gianni Pethel, who identified himself as Donna Jackson’s adopted son, said the staff member is “a familiar face students look up to in times of need” and pleaded with the board: "Think about the kids, not the money."

The comments came during a closed‑session public‑comment period and later during the open meeting, when several speakers — including teachers and union representatives — read petitions and said more than 150 parents, students and staff have signed in support of restoring the role or its hours. "This cut will jeopardize children's safety by reducing the staff-to-student ratio," said Adoreen Hogue, a resource teacher and alternate OEA representative, who read language from the petition.

Why it matters: Noon supervisors often serve as the most consistent adult presence outside the classroom for young children, witnesses said, supporting students during recess, lunch and minor injuries and providing continuity that helps classroom learning. Multiple speakers argued the cuts were falling hardest on schools with larger shares of Black and Latino students.

What the board heard: Testimony included personal stories of students seeking out the supervisor for support, assertions that the position helps prevent playground incidents and claims that eliminating hours would force an experienced staff member to transfer. Labor and union commenters tied the personnel cut to broader concerns about how the district is making reductions across classified and certificated staff.

What’s next: The board moved through consent items and other agenda matters; no formal vote specifically reversing the La Escuelita noon‑supervisor change was recorded during the meeting. Advocates said they will continue to press the board and the superintendent for a reversal and urged use of alternative budget options to preserve frontline positions.

Ending: Community speakers asked the board to prioritize student safety in any budget decisions and to consider rehiring or restoring hours for positions that directly supervise and support children during non-classroom time.