New School Board
Meet Your Candidates
District 1
North Oakland, Rockridge, Temescal, Broadway Terrace
Student Population:
- 2,048 students across 2 high schools (International & Tech)
- 28.6% Latino
- 27.8% African American
- 17% White
- 14% Asian
- 9.6% Multiethnic
- 2.3% Not Reported
- 0.6% Filipino
- 0.09% Pacific Islander
Ben Salop
Ben Salop is a graduate of Melrose Leadership Academy and Oakland Technical High School. In his time in Oakland, he represented Oakland Students as the Student Director on OUSD’s LCAP Budget Committee, served as Chair of the Oakland Youth Commission and served on All City Council.
Coming Soon
Endorsements: Loren Taylor, Jody London, Gary Yee, James Harris, Ken Berrick, Dr.Clifford Thompson, and more info listed on website.
Rachel Latta
Rachel Latta is a first generation Filipina born and raised in the Bay. She is a nurse midwife in a community clinic, a mom of three children (preK, 4th grader at Prescott Elementary and a 7th grader at WOMS), and is a committed OUSD parent and organizer.
She has worked as a parent organizer and champion of Oakland’s public schools to make the district more equitable and sustainable. That work has not only been in District 1, but as a part of Equity Allies and Integrated Schools working with parents across the district on big policy issues like school funding and small ones, like how parents navigate choosing a school.
Endorsements: Oakland Education Association (OEA), Building Trades Council of Alameda County, Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union #104, Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club and more listed on website.
District 1
North Oakland, Rockridge, Temescal, Broadway Terrace
Student Population:
- 2,048 students across 2 high schools (International & Tech)
- 28.6% Latino
- 27.8% African American
- 17% White
- 14% Asian
- 9.6% Multiethnic
- 2.3% Not Reported
- 0.6% Filipino
- 0.09% Pacific Islander
Rachel Latta
Rachel Latta is a first generation Filipina born and raised in the Bay. She is a nurse midwife in a community clinic, a mom of three children (preK, 4th grader at Prescott Elementary and a 7th grader at WOMS), and is a committed OUSD parent and organizer.
She has worked as a parent organizer and champion of Oakland’s public schools to make the district more equitable and sustainable. That work has not only been in District 1, but as a part of Equity Allies and Integrated Schools working with parents across the district on big policy issues like school funding and small ones, like how parents navigate choosing a school.
Endorsements: Oakland Education Association (OEA), Building Trades Council of Alameda County, Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union #104, Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club and more listed on website.
VanCedric Williams
VanCedric Williams’ career and passion for public education grew as a paraeducator. He has dedicated himself to teaching students in the most underserved communities for the last 20 years. He has worked hard as a teacher-leader of the Community Dream School Project.
He also leads a student mentoring program that encourages, empowers, and enlightens BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students to be their best selves, know their history, and provides leadership through community service. He currently represents District 3 on the School Board.
Endorsements: Building and Construction Trades of Alameda, Educators for Democratic Schools, Oakland Rising Action, OEA, Wellstone Dems, Oakland Education Association, Building and Trades, Working Families Party, and more on website.
Dwayne Aikens
Dwayne Aikens is a proud Oakland native who graduated from the Oakland public schools. He has dedicated his life to improving the educational landscape for our youth.
With 19 years of experience as an award-winning educator and 14 years as the executive director of We Lead Ours (WELO), Dwayne bring a successful track record in fostering family engagement, academic achievement, and safe learning environments for our students. He believes our school district can do better in preparing our students to achieve college and career success after high school.
Endorsements: Oakland Public Library Commissioner, Founder of West Oakland Cultural Arts Network, Former Oakland Mayor, and more on website.
District 3
West Oakland, Jack London, Downtown
Student Population:
- 385 students across 3 high schools (McClymonds, Bunche, Street Academy)
- 59.2% African American
- 25.2% Latino
- 3.9% Asian
- 3.1% White
- 3.1% Multiethnic
- 3.1% Not Reported
- 1.8% Pacific Islander
- 0.5% Native American
VanCedric Williams
VanCedric Williams’ career and passion for public education grew as a paraeducator. He has dedicated himself to teaching students in the most underserved communities for the last 20 years. He has worked hard as a teacher-leader of the Community Dream School Project.
He also leads a student mentoring program that encourages, empowers, and enlightens BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students to be their best selves, know their history, and provides leadership through community service. He currently represents District 3 on the School Board.
Endorsements: Building and Construction Trades of Alameda, Educators for Democratic Schools, Oakland Rising Action, OEA, Wellstone Dems, Oakland Education Association, Building and Trades, Working Families Party, and more on website.
District 3
West Oakland, Jack London, Downtown
Student Population:
- 385 students across 3 high schools (McClymonds, Bunche, Street Academy)
- 59.2% African American
- 25.2% Latino
- 3.9% Asian
- 3.1% White
- 3.1% Multiethnic
- 3.1% Not Reported
- 1.8% Pacific Islander
- 0.5% Native American
District 5
Fruitvale District
Student Population:
- 1420 students across 2 high schools
- (Fremont, Life Academy)
- 79.6% Latino
- 11.7% African American
- 3% Asian
- 1.2% White
- 1.1% Multiethnic
- 0.9% Not Reported
- 0.7% Pacific islander
- 0.5% Native American
- 0.4% Filipino
Patrice Berry
Patrice Berryis a mother who is on a mission to work with students and families to reimagine the school system we want for Oakland. She has dedicated her life and career to education justice. Throughout her career as a former teacher and college counselor, she has led programs that have helped students achieve dramatic improvements in English, Math, postsecondary readiness, and socio-emotional well-being.
She founded the organizations AssistHub, Leaders of Change, and the Northern California College Promise Coalition. She has also led postsecondary education and workforce initiatives for the former mayor. She is the Chief Impact Officer of an organization called End Poverty in California. She is running to help our district overcome its challenges by leveraging her value in relationships and her leadership experience to help us sharpen our focus on student well-being and strengthening outcomes in workforce development, college readiness, literacy, and math.
Endorsements: Nor Cal Carpenters Union, Sprinkler Fitters Local 483, International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers Local 595, Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union No. 104, Asian Pacific American Democratic Caucus Of Alameda County More listed on website
Sasha Ritzie Hernandez
Sasha Ritzie Hernandez was born in Mexico and grew up in Oakland and attended OUSD public schools. As a Senior Parent Organizer, I spearheaded school improvement projects, advocated for better policies, and provided valuable workshops to families, emphasizing the importance of early literacy.
I have mobilized families to support crucial causes, from teacher strikes, pandemic safety measures the Reparations for Black Students Resolution and more.
Endorsements: Latino Task Force, OEA, SEIU Local 1021, East Bay Democratic Socialists Of America, Alameda Labor Council AFL-CIO and more listed on website.
District 5
Fruitvale District
Student Population:
- 1420 students across 2 high schools
- (Fremont, Life Academy)
- 79.6% Latino
- 11.7% African American
- 3% Asian
- 1.2% White
- 1.1% Multiethnic
- 0.9% Not Reported
- 0.7% Pacific islander
- 0.5% Native American
- 0.4% Filipino
Patrice Berry
Patrice Berryis a mother who is on a mission to work with students and families to reimagine the school system we want for Oakland. She has dedicated her life and career to education justice. Throughout her career as a former teacher and college counselor, she has led programs that have helped students achieve dramatic improvements in English, Math, postsecondary readiness, and socio-emotional well-being.
She founded the organizations AssistHub, Leaders of Change, and the Northern California College Promise Coalition. She has also led postsecondary education and workforce initiatives for the former mayor. She is the Chief Impact Officer of an organization called End Poverty in California. She is running to help our district overcome its challenges by leveraging her value in relationships and her leadership experience to help us sharpen our focus on student well-being and strengthening outcomes in workforce development, college readiness, literacy, and math.
Endorsements: Nor Cal Carpenters Union, Sprinkler Fitters Local 483, International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers Local 595, Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union No. 104, Asian Pacific American Democratic Caucus Of Alameda County More listed on website
Clifford Thompson
Clifford Thompson serves as the current District 7 representative on the School Board. He is from Oroville, CA and he went on to attend and graduate from UC Davis. He served as an assistant professor at Patten University, where he was the Leadership Chair in the Education Department. Dr. Thompson has worked in the field of education for 40 years.
He has worked as a classroom teacher and Teacher on Special Assignment for 17 years, and an administrator for 20 years. Presently, Dr. Thompson is working as an Educational Consultant.
Endorsements: Sam Davis, Mike Hutchinson, Jorge Lerma, Treva Reid, more on website.
Domonic Ware
Domonic Ware is a seasoned activist and organizer, has deep roots in Oakland’s District 7, with his family residing there for six generations. As a former student of local schools, Domonic has been a steadfast advocate for the community, leading the fight to keep Brookfield Elementary open in 2022.
He co-founded Repaired Nations in 2018 and has successfully led various campaigns, including the Fight for $15 Fast-Food movement and unionizing Walmart. Domonic’s school board campaign prioritizes building strong coalitions to lobby for increased per-pupil spending, promote eco-friendly schools with a focus on climate change and STEM education, and revitalize parent-teacher-student relations.
Endorsements: TBD
District 7
Deep East Oakland - Airport, Coliseum, Sequoia Hills, 98th
Student Population:
- 1191 students across 2 comprehensive high schools (Castlemont, MPA)
- 70.7% Latino
- 21% African American
- 2.2% Pacific Islander
- 1.9% Multiethnic
- 1.3% White
- 1.1% Asian
- 0.9% Not Reported
- 0.3% Filipino
- 0.3% Native American
Clifford Thompson
Clifford Thompson serves as the current District 7 representative on the School Board. He is from Oroville, CA and he went on to attend and graduate from UC Davis. He served as an assistant professor at Patten University, where he was the Leadership Chair in the Education Department. Dr. Thompson has worked in the field of education for 40 years.
He has worked as a classroom teacher and Teacher on Special Assignment for 17 years, and an administrator for 20 years. Presently, Dr. Thompson is working as an Educational Consultant.
Endorsements: Sam Davis, Mike Hutchinson, Jorge Lerma, Treva Reid, more on website.
District 7
Deep East Oakland - Airport, Coliseum, Sequoia Hills, 98th
Student Population:
- 1191 students across 2 comprehensive high schools (Castlemont, MPA)
- 70.7% Latino
- 21% African American
- 2.2% Pacific Islander
- 1.9% Multiethnic
- 1.3% White
- 1.1% Asian
- 0.9% Not Reported
- 0.3% Filipino
- 0.3% Native American