Boulevard Bites

by Toni Locke

### The John Swett School (K-8), a small school of 215 students with 43 vacancies, is one of five in Oakland slated for closure, ordered by state-appointed administrator Ronald Ward. The school plant, neglected and badly maintained, occupies a tree-lined site on Steele Ave. just off MacArthur Boulevard in the west corner of the Beulah Heights neighborhood. Discussion and planning around these closures were badly damaged by the outrageous public meeting staged by Ronald Ward in early January, with no space to accommodate the hundreds of parents and community members who answered the call, and a phalanx of Oakland Police, including as many as 30 inside the building itself, virtually saying to the public, "You don't own this any more." Mr. Ward is making "a sea change in our culture toward schools," according to Dimond resident Marcia Henry, who dedicated herself for years to bettering the schools as her children proceeded through them and on to college. "Owning our schools" is how Bret Harte, Fruitvale, Sequoia, Laurel, Redwood Heights, the American Indian Charter School, and others have flourished. Even the strongest principals and teachers need the backing of parents. Small schools have a proven track record of success. John Swett is what Ms. Kim Shipp-Garrette, School Site Council, parent and longtime activist in support of schools, calls a "transient school." Most of the students are brought in from all parts of the city. Parent activity and neighborhood support are missing. Residents are mostly older, retired people. So in spite of the excellent work of principal Joslin Johnson for the past three years to raise standards, she and her staff faced an uphill battle. The Steele Ave. site could be a tremendous asset to the area. New housing may bring in a generation of youngsters. Plans for the future need the input of the neighborhood. Opportunities to help may be found through Councilmember Jean Quan's e-mails or office phones. We do own our public schools. Public schools are building blocks for good futures for our children, for an educated labor force, and for nourishing democratic and humane values in our nation. Your Yes vote for measures Q and E on the March ballot will provide the money. Federal and state governments, reeling under billion-dollar deficits, are not about to do it. We must. The March ballot contains several local and statewide measures to fund services. Be an educated voter. Read more on Web sites of your city councilmembers, local community organizations (such as www.dimondnews.org), and voter organizations such as the League of Women Voters (www.lwv.org).