OUSD starts school with new leadership
OAKLAND, Calif. - As tens of thousands of students return to Oakland schools on Monday, one of the biggest changes in a new superintendent: Denise Saddler is interim superintendent for the year.
She was just chosen for the role last month.
But Saddler has been a Bay Area educator for more than 40 years as a teacher, principal, district leader, and president of the Oakland Education Association.
"It’s not something new for me. I’ve been here, I’m a native Oaklander and so this is special for me to continue my service in this role," said Saddler in an interview with KTVU.
She has this post because the school board fired the previous superintendent, Kyla Johnson-Trammell, in April.
Johnson-Trammel was the superintendent for eight years and had two years left on her contract.
She was ousted despite being credited with getting the district out of receivership – meaning the state and county had intervened, and a trustee has been looking over the district’s financial decisions since 2003.
Saddler has her work cut out for her, with the district facing significant budget challenges.
KTVU asked her about her priorities in this new position.
"I absolutely care about the success of our students and supporting our families. That’s always a priority. Number two is of course safety," said Saddler.
The board is still finalizing Saddler’s contract, so it’s unclear how long she will be leading the district. She will be at some of the schools on Monday, touring nine of them.