SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell issued the following statement after Alameda County Superior Court Judge James Richman issued a written ruling today that the plaintiffs in Cobb v. Jack O'Connell did not have legal standing to challenge the law giving the Superintendent of Public Instruction authority to run the Oakland School District.

"I am pleased that the court has reaffirmed our legal standing to help the Oakland Unified School District," O'Connell said. "From the outset of the state takeover of Oakland, I have been focused on improving student performance and helping the district regain fiscal discipline. It has always been my belief that our focus should be on students, not litigation. This ruling delivers on that call.

"I now look forward to working with the entire Oakland community, a community that cares deeply about its students, and to place our focus solely and fully on the hard work of improving student achievement."