The Oakland Unified School District is racing against the clock and a massive budget deficit. The school board must decide by Wednesday how to cut $100 million from the next school year's budget.

After emerging from a 22-year state takeover this past summer, the district faces the possibility of state receivership again if it cannot close the gap.

For parents like Sarah Selvidge, the budget crisis hits close to home. Selvidge volunteers at her son's school, Edna Brewer Middle School, helping to beautify a campus garden.

"What are you going to cut? I know teachers who buy their own paper. It's just crazy. I don't have an alternative. There's just not a lot of fat to trim at the school sites," Selvidge said.

Many parents like Selvidge volunteer to fill gaps caused by limited school resou

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