Children, Schools, and Parks

By Ignacio De La Fuente

I will continue to make serving and fighting for Oakland's families and youth my highest priority.

Schools: Although the city does not have any direct control over the Oakland School District, I maintain a good working relationship with every Oakland School District Superintendent and State administrator. Together we have improved school facilities, increased after school programs and solved safety problems. Together with OUSD and the community we built three new schools in District 5: Think College Now, International Community School at the Cesar Chavez Education Center, and Ascend Elementary. These are now three of the highest performing schools in the District and their construction relieved some of the worst over-crowing in the state of California.

Together we have worked to improve school yards and facilities at Glenview Elementary, Brewer Middle School, Calvin Simmons Middle School, Urban Promise Academy, Manzanita Elementary, and Delores Huerta Learning Academy.

Parks and Waterfront: I'm working hard to improve every park in District 5. Working with you, we already developed Union Point Park and participated in major renovations of Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, Cesar Chavez Park, Josie De La Cruz Park, and the waterfront trail. We are currently working on Cesar Chavez Park, Jungle Hill, Fremont Pool and soon the pocket park on 35th Avenue.

I, along with Councilmembers Pat Kernighan and Jane Brunner, are busily searching for more federal, state and private funds to match Measure DD funds to complete the renovation of Lake Merritt and the completion of the Estuary Bay trail. I support the City's policy to require every new development along the Estuary to set aside an easement for continuation of the Bay trail along the Estuary and to establish access to the waterfront. Our waterfront belongs to all Oaklanders and we should all be able to enjoy it.

I spearheaded moving the Parks Maintenance division from Parks and Recreation to the Public Works agency in 2004. As a result, parks maintenance has improved. To further improve park maintenance, I strongly advocated for a Public Works Management System, one which utilizes GPS and GIS to optimize maintenance routes and utilization of city resources. Such a system has been funded by the City Council and will be implemented later this year. I also believe in using performance measures to create accountability and goals, and I am the leader in ensuring that such expectations accompany the Landscape and Lighting Assessment District ballot this year and two years ago.

We should also make use of public-private partnerships, which are a way for Oakland to meet the drastic needs of our parks and recreation centers. I proudly supported the recent T-mobile and City Year partnership with Manzanita Recreation Center, and am also supporting the Discovery Channel-sponsored renovation of Josie De La Cruz Park. Youth Programs: I am a very strong advocate for afterschool programs. Quality, safe after-school activities should be available for every student who wants them or parent who needs them. These programs provide young people with opportunities to grow and succeed.

Thanks to a collaboration with OUSD, you can go to Cesar Chavez Education Center any night until 9pm or on a Saturday and you'll see 100 kids and their families playing basketball, soccer, volleyball, taking dance classes or karate and doing their homework. I secured the funding to pay half the cost of the custodian and security overtime and the school district agreed to pay the other half. I also found a community group that recruited and scheduled all the groups to run these positive activities. Today, it is the most cost-effective and efficient afterschool site in the City.

I will continue make sure that Measure Y and Oakland Fund for Children and Youth result in meaningful outcomes for all of Oakland's youth. There are some amazing programs in Oakland that foster the special talents that youth have whether its art, music, sports, or business. We should make sure that programs are led by qualified adults, in safe and clean facilities and at locations that make sense for youth that truly need interventions and afterschool programs.

I also use the City Council office to grow many young Oaklanders into effective public leaders. Specifically, I have hired many great young people who have gone on to be great leaders in our community. I have had many interns my office and I have also hosted several Coro Fellows on Public Affairs. In addition, many Oakland school students have shadowed my staff. I believe that working in public service is a great career and it is my responsibility to help young people develop into our future leaders.