The Education Committee of Wellstone has focused on fighting for our democratic school system and fighting charter school growth and the general trend towards privatizing public schools. We also support our educators and support staff and their unions as well as the most vulnerable students, with particular focus on racism towards Black students, in our schools. See our Policy Statement:

Read our full Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club Platform on Education

In addition to weighing in publicly on important issues like the need to change state law (eg charter school law which made it difficult for boards to say no to charter growth) or challenge local policies (eg supporting passage of a Reparations for Black Students resolution and the Youth Vote) we have educated Wellstone members and made recommendations as to which candidates for school boards best represent our values.

We also are part of a larger coalition (Justice4OaklandStudents) which includes the teachers union and the major progressive and anti-racist parent and student advocate organizations in Oakland and Alameda County.  

Though our initial focus has been on Oakland K-12, especially since the Trump election, we are interested in expanding that focus to include community college, Berkeley, state and national educational issues as well.

Our committee members include educators, union activists, past and present Superintendents of Alameda County Schools and school board members of the Berkeley and Emery school boards and Peralta Community College. We meet on Zoom once a month (3rd Wednesdays usually) and welcome anyone interested and who share our values. Contact David Weintraub (DWeintraub02@gmail.com) if you have questions or wish to join us.