Meg Whitman Talks Education in Oakland

By Lee Hubbard Republican candidate for governor Meg Whitman visited Jefferson Elementary School in East Oakland this week to talk about what it will take to get education back on track in California. Whitman, who is locked into a tight race against Democrat Jerry Brown, stressed that education is one of her top issues. “In low-income neighborhoods, 4-year-olds need to have a good start, and in these schools great teachers make the difference,” she said.  “This has been my priority, and we (as a state) have to do better in K through 8 education.” One of the elementary schools doing well is Learning Without Limits, a small school that is on the same campus as Jefferson Elementary.  Leo Fuchs, principal of Learning Without Limits, said he was glad Whitman chose to visit his campus. “The candidates are taking an interest in education and coming to see what’s happening in a school that’s trying to make a difference in the community,” said Fuchs. Whitman became involved in issues concerning childcare centers after meeting Oakland Board of Education Member Noel Gallo, who was seeking to increase funding for the centers when they were slated to close because of budget cuts. Gallo said he went to Whitman, who was helpful in efforts to keep the centers open. Ultimately, of the 30 centers in the city, 20 stayed open. “I met with her, and Meg set up meetings with the governor, lieutenant governor and assembly members, and we opened up a conversation,”said Gallo. “And the Republicans helped us with the funding that kept the centers open.” Holding a press conference after touring the school, Whitman said that financial aid and education should be accessible to California and documented residents.  “Children who are here and are documented deserve the first chance at a higher education,” said Whitman. She says she favors directing more taxpayer money to the classroom instead of the educational bureaucracy. “Out of every dollar that is spent towards education, only 60 cents goes to the classroom,” she said.  “We need to focus on getting more money into the classroom.” She also hammered her opponent’s  record as mayor of Oakland, which she said was a “failure.” “(Brown’s) record on K through 12 education in Oakland was terrible,” said Whitman.  “The Oakland public school system was $100 million in debt, and high school graduation rates dropped 50 percent.” Oakland schools’ standardized test scores have improved in the past six years.  While mayor, Brown worked closely with two charter schools that he began. “He ran as the education mayor, and when things went bad, he did not take responsibility,” continued Whitman.  “You have to take responsibility as a leader, and I am tired of politicians not taking leadership.”