News Release: Oakland Charter School Wins Reprieve to Remain Open

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OAKLAND CHARTER SCHOOL WINS REPRIEVE TO REMAIN OPEN

Oakland, Calif. — Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin Law Corporation, a business law and business litigation firm, is assisting with the representation of American Indian Model Schools (AIMS), which operates three high-performing, nationally-recognized schools in Oakland, in a lawsuit against the Oakland Unified School District regarding the District’s decision to close the three charter schools. Last week, Judge Evilio Grillo granted AIMS’s application for a temporary restraining order and issued a TRO that prevents the embattled schools from being shut down in the near term, resulting in a huge win for AIMS.

After Judge Grillo issued the TRO, James Kachmar, a shareholder in the firm’s labor & employment and litigation group serving as co-counsel for AIMS, said: “We’re ecstatic. This is about the students.” Furthermore, the ruling means that the school can start its summer session on June 20th and plan for its upcoming fall school year, he said.

The lawsuit follows a 4-3 vote by the Oakland school board on March 20th to revoke the charters for AIMS, claiming the school had not done enough to rectify financial issues that were found in a state audit last year. AIMS has also appealed that decision to the Alameda County Office of Education.

The District’s decision meant that the school – with 1,200 students at three Oakland campuses – would likely lose funding at the end of this month and have to close its doors.

AIMS and the District are to return to Judge Grillo’s courtroom on July 8th for a hearing as to whether the TRO should be extended as a preliminary injunction against the District. In the meantime, the Alameda County Board of Education will likely consider AIMS’s appeal of the District’s decision to revoke its charters at its next meeting on June 25th. If it affirms the District’s decision, AIMS will appeal the decision to the California Department of Education.

About Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin Law Corporation

Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin specializes in corporate transactional work, real estate transactional work and business litigation. Recognized nationally for our expertise, the firm has a strong regional presence and experience representing clients throughout California. Our clients range from national institutional entities to regional businesses and individuals with personal legal needs.

We dedicate ourselves to understanding our clients and helping them with their changing business challenges. We are equally committed to supporting the community where we work and live.

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