Some Oakland schools won't reopen as planned after teachers opt not to return early

More than a dozen Oakland elementary schools and preschools will not reopen as planned Tuesday after the majority, if not all, teachers at the sites opted not to return until required to do so in mid-April, despite an $800 incentive and prioritized vaccinations.

The lack of teachers volunteering could nullify an agreement between the union and district officials to pay all teachers a $2,000 stipend.

Another 30 schools were scheduled to reopen to a limited number of students given the staffing shortage, while 31 elementary and early learning sites will reopen as planned, said district spokesman John Sasaki.

School board President Shanthi Gonzales said it was discouraging that some sites would not reopen as planned Tuesday because it would have allowed schools to slowly ramp up for a full return.

District and union officials agreed earlier this month to a deal that would reopen schools on Mar. 30, with a voluntary return period for teachers until April 14 and all K-5 classrooms back five days later.

The deal offered teachers a significant financial incentive, including a $2,000 stipend for all 2,700 union members who return to in-person learning this spring, if enough educators returned to reopen for priority students, including those with disabilities.

The agreement acknowledges that not all teachers will be fully vaccinated until mid-April, which is why officials agreed to reopen the first sites in March with teachers who volunteer to return to in-person instruction.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/education/article/Some-Oakland-schools-won-t-reopen-as-planned-16054407.php