We are caregivers, students, educators, and community members in Oakland, California who want cooler & more equitable classrooms across our district -- so teachers can teach and kids can learn.
🥵Temperatures regularly reach 80s and 90s in 2,100 OUSD classrooms. This is a safety threat and equity failure that deepens achievement gaps and health disparities.
🚨 A 1°F increase in the school year temperature can reduce the learning that year by 1%, according to Harvard's Center on the Developing Child.
✅ OUSD’s own study in 2022-2023 showed that UV window films, roof insulation, and ceiling fans can bring immediate relief without electrical upgrades.
✅ A low-cost cooling pilot at Sequoia Elementary decreased classroom temperatures by up to 8 degrees Fahrenheit.
The district knows it can take easy, immediate, affordable action.
💰 Measure Y bonds raised $735M for OUSD Facilities. Funds are available now and should be used for cooling classrooms now.
We don't need more assessments and consultants.
Cool our schools, now!