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Oakland Budget Crisis: Defunding the Public Schools Two years ago there was intense pressure on the Oakland schools to improve - to show that we could respond to the needs of our students and actually raise literacy. At that time, more than a fourth of our teachers were uncredentialed. Many studies show that inexperienced, uncredentialed teachers are much less effective than those with more experience. This year we have only 35 teachers working without credentials, and student achievement has begun to improve. Teacher salaries got a boost two years ago, and turnover has dropped dramatically. For the first time, I have seen experienced teachers from other districts choosing to come work in Oakland. But this comes at a price. The district is paying 5 million dollars more for qualified teachers. Two years ago we had an academic crisis. In the course of addressing that, District leaders have created a fiscal crisis of epic proportions. It appears we will get a state trustee, and since the single largest expense in the District is teachers, we will see prep teachers cut, our benefits reduced, and the elimination of security guards essential for the safety of students and teachers. Teachers are not monks, sworn to vows of poverty. We cannot absorb the cost of educating the children of our state from our household budgets. Cuts and instability will drive teachers, especially those with experience and options, away, resulting in a reversal of the progress we have made in stabilizing the District and improving student performance. The reactions of the politicians will be very telling. A short while ago, the supply of electricity was threatened. The lights went out a few times, and the governor opened the state coffers to the energy barons, who robbed us of billions. Now, in Oakland, and across the state, education is threatened with massive cuts. How will our leaders respond? We have our lights, but we are in danger of losing our enlightenment. With a perspective, this is Anthony Cody Anthony Cody is a National Board Certified Teacher at Bret Harte Middle School in Oakland. Aired on KQED FM, 88.5 in San Francisco, on Jan. 17 and 19, 2003. For information on how to submit your opinion, visit here: Perspectives