Update on San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)
October 23, 2024 –
With Dr. Maria Su taking over as the new superintendent, Ed Lee Dems and public school families can finally have some hope for the future of San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). After weeks of uncertainty and frustration over school closures, we’re relieved to see leadership that understands what’s at stake. Dr. Maria Su knows San Francisco inside and out, with over 15 years of experience leading the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families, making her deeply familiar with the needs of our city’s communities. Dr. Su’s got the support of local leaders, and she’s already hit pause on the closure plans that were causing so much worry for our community. As Mayor London Breed said, “When you need someone to get the job done, you call people like Maria Su.” We’re hopeful this change means a fairer, more transparent approach to solving the challenges our schools face.
S.F. Chronicle
SFUSD superintendent resigns: Timeline shows events that led to school chief’s ouster
SFUSD leadership transition and budget crisis
Summary of key events:
- 10/23: Dr. Maria Su officially begins her role as the new superintendent of SFUSD, focusing on balancing the budget and pausing the school closure process.
- 10/22: The SF Board of Education formally appoints Dr. Su as superintendent. A statement emphasizes the need to stabilize the district and avoid a state takeover by addressing the budget deficit.
- 10/21: Mayor London Breed and state officials express support for Dr. Su, emphasizing the goal of maintaining local control and halting the current school closure plans.
- 10/18: Matt Wayne resigns as superintendent after criticism of his handling of school closures and budget issues. The Board of Education holds an emergency meeting to accept his resignation and decides to halt school closures.
- 10/15: Mayor Breed publicly calls for the SFUSD to stop its school closure process, citing mismanagement and a lack of confidence in Wayne’s ability to handle the situation.
- 10/11: SFUSD admits to sharing inaccurate data related to the school closure proposal, exacerbating community frustration.
- 10/08: The SF school closure list is released, causing confusion and backlash from the community over its criteria and implications. This adds to criticism of Wayne’s leadership.
- 09/22: SFUSD holds an emergency meeting regarding Wayne’s performance. Mayor Breed sends in a stabilization team, including Dr. Su, to assist the district with operational challenges.
- 09/15: Wayne delays the release of the school closure list until October, drawing criticism for lack of transparency.
- 08/23: SFUSD School Board President Lainie Motamedi resigns, citing dysfunction and leadership issues within the district.
- 08/19: A staffing crisis leaves SFUSD without over 250 required special education staff as the school year begins.
- 05/2024: SFUSD loses partial control over spending due to state intervention amid worsening deficit projections, risking insolvency.
Problems Facing San Francisco Public Schools
SFUSD is facing a $113 million budget deficit, driven by declining student enrollment, funding cuts, and costly mismanagement. With thousands of empty seats and the risk of a state takeover looming, new leadership is racing to balance the budget by December and stabilize our schools.
SFUSD faces a $113 million budget shortfall that must be addressed by December 15, 2024, to avoid a potential state takeover. The deficit is due to years of overspending, compounded by the costs of fixing a failed payroll system and underfunded special education staffing.
The district is already under partial state control, with fiscal advisors holding veto power over spending decisions due to previous financial mismanagement.
SFUSD has been experiencing a significant decline in student enrollment, leading to roughly 14,000 empty seats across the district. This decline reduces state funding, which is tied to student attendance, further straining the budget.
To address the deficit, the district proposed closing or merging schools, a plan that was met with community backlash and was paused by the new leadership to focus on other budget solutions.
Archived
Our Public Schools are at Risk—Stand with Us!
Wed, Oct 16, 2024
Our community is under threat. The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is moving forward with plans to close several schools, and it’s no coincidence that many of these public schools serve Asian American and immigrant families. This isn’t just about losing school buildings—it’s about losing essential lifelines that help new immigrant families thrive and give our children the education they deserve.
We’re not standing by while our community is unfairly targeted. Many of the targeted schools, like Yick Wo and Sutro Elementary, serve high percentages of Asian students, including immigrant families who rely on bilingual programs and community support that these schools uniquely provide. Alongside the Asian Justice Movement (AJM) and other civil rights groups, we’re demanding transparency and fairness from SFUSD. The current process disproportionately affects Asian American families, and we’re fighting to make sure our voices are heard.
How you can help us protect the future of our schools:
- Sign on to support – Add your name to the growing list of those taking a stand for our community’s right to quality education.
- Attend SFUSD meetings – stand in solidarity with us as we fight for the fair treatment of all students.
- Vote on November 5– Support the candidates we’ve endorsed who are committed to protecting our schools and communities.
At the Edwin M. Lee Asian Pacific Democratic Club, we know firsthand how devastating this will be. Our board member Thomas Li attended Spring Valley Elementary, one of the schools now at risk. For Chinese immigrant families like his, these schools are more than places of learning—they are hubs of support and stability for those working to build a better future in this country.
Our schools are the foundation of our community’s future. Let’s come together to protect them. Thank you for standing with us.
In solidarity,
Selina Sun
Edwin M. Lee Asian Pacific Democratic Club
KQED News
San Francisco School Closures Will Hurt Chinese, Immigrant Communities, City Leaders Say