Oakland school office say they have no idea what truancy actually costs, records go missing

Article by Jennifer Inez Ward.
Last updated at Tue, 10 Apr at 6:53am.

Truancy has long been an issue that has frustrated the Oakland Unified School District, which over the years has created numerous programs and partnerships to tackle the problem.

But now, district officials say they don't know the actual financial cost of truancy to Oakland schools - additionally, key tracking records also appear to be missing from OUSD files.  

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Oakland school closings transition expected to be complex
Article by Jennifer Inez Ward.
Last updated at Wed, 9 Nov at 2:05am.

Now that the Oakland Unified School District board of directors has approved a controversial plan to close five elementary schools, and implement  a complex restructuring strategy, the transition process for students begins.

However, it's unclear how much this transition will cost the district in the end.

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Oakland Unified votes to close all 5 schools proposed in June
Article by Jennifer Inez Ward.
Last updated at Thu, 27 Oct at 5:51am.

In a meeting that went well into the night, Oakland Unified School District board members - in a 5 to 2 vote - approved a new restructuring package Wednesday that includes the closing of five elementary schools.

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Oakland school board set to vote on school closures - TODAY, Oct. 26
Article by Jennifer Inez Ward.
Last updated at Wed, 26 Oct at 12:29am.

This evening, the Oakland Unified School District is expected to deliver a final vote on its restructuring plan that includes the closing of five elementary schools. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. at Oakland Tech High School, 4351 Broadway.

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Oakland school closures cause anger, frustration
Article by Jennifer Inez Ward.
Last updated at Thu, 29 Sep at 4:13am.

Oakland High School auditorium was standing room only Tuesday evening as several hundred parents, teachers and youth showed up to voice their concerns, fears and thoughts about the pending Oakland Unified School District school closings.

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OUSD school closures to be discussed at new meeting site - TODAY, Tuesday, Sept. 27
Article by Jennifer Inez Ward.
Last updated at Tue, 27 Sep at 12:16am.

Oakland Unified School District has changed the time and location of today's directors' meeting to accommodate the expected large turnout for the discussion on school closings.

The meeting will now begin at 5 p.m. - Sept. 27 - in the Auditorium at Oakland High School on MacArthur Boulevard.

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Crime: How will Oakland tackle this problem with limited funds? (Living In Debt, Part 3)
Article by Jennifer Inez Ward.
Last updated at Sat, 18 Jun at 8:49am.

It's 10 a.m. on sunny June morning and Oakland officials are putting the last-minute touches on a press conference featuring Oakland schools superintendent Tony Smith and Oakland Mayor Jean Quan.

A row of cameramen stand bored, chatting about sports and such, while print reporters glance at their watches. This is a big deal event.

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Can Tony Smith turn around Oakland public schools? (Living In Debt - Part 2)
Article by Jennifer Inez Ward.
Last updated at Fri, 17 Jun at 9:00am.

Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Tony Smith is just days away from seeing his vision to fundamentally change the city's public schools become reality.

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