Oakland Unified votes to issue layoffs, eliminate up to 100 full-time positions

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The Oakland Unified School District Board of Education on Wednesday night voted to issue layoffs and eliminate about 100 full-time positions.

The board voted for the layoffs 6-1 as OUSD needs to cut $95 million from next year's budget.

It faces declining enrollment and increasing operational costs.

MORE: Parents remain outraged as OUSD declines to take action on possible school closures

Before the vote, the board heard from concerned teachers, parents and staff, pleading with them to avoid these cuts.

"When we talk about supplies and resources in the classroom, the most important supply and the most important resource to these kids is the caring loving adults preparing care and education to children in the room," one teacher said.

Some board members said they didn't want to vote to approve any layoffs but feel as though their backs were against the wall without any other options.

By state law, preliminary layoff notices for the next school year need to go out by March 15.

Similar to other districts like San Francisco Unified, a final round of layoff notices will go out by about mid-May to confirm that the layoff holds or is being rescinded.