9/20/24 SF Parent Coalition Community Meeting Updates and Summary

9/20 SF Parent Coalition Community Meeting Updates Summary:

• On 9/18, SFUSD was expected to announce a list of 10-15 schools it would be closing, as part of it’s overall plan to fix our budget deficit.

• On 9/15, SFUSD announced a delay in the release of this list until October

SF Parents took your questions on the delay to SFUSD. We were able to get SOME questions answered this week. In conversations this week with SFUSD leadership including Superintendent Dr. Wayne, we learned:

• Though SFUSD has a list, they are still working on strengthening their internal/operational and external plan to support schools and communities. They need more time.

• They ARE working on implementation aspects like making sure in the plan that “friends stay with friends” if impacted by school closures

• They ARE working on the transition plan with four phases including: 1) Hearing from those impacted; 2) Meeting w/schools impacted to plan out the transition; 3) Honoring the community coming from closed campus; 4) Honoring what where we’re going

• Superintendent Dr. Wayne also recognize the concern of families and schools given that enrollment season is starting and they are trying to make an announcement before the school enrollment fair

• Our parent leadership team offered suggestions to SFUSD for how they can better explain what’s happening and why, as there’s still confusion. 

OUR TAKEAWAYS:

THE GOOD:

1. There was some degree of thoughtfulness around the integration of systemic and fiscal changes in the district this year
2. The district is clearly thinking through some of the most important implementation aspects, such as things like ensuring smaller number of welcoming schools (as opposed to dividing up communities across too many schools)

CONCERNS:

1. Lack of coherent story. Can’t yet clearly communicate the situation and why it would be better on the other side
2. There’s currently not enough political support for the plan, as is. (e.g. Board of Ed votes)
3. There’s not yet a clear, strong academic or operational plan.
4. SFUSD talked about the transition plan, but didn’t include a discussion of academics and the academic success of the students from impacted schools

BIGGEST CONCERN: Dire budget situation

• This year we have to cut $113M from 2025-26 budget to avoid further involvement with the state 
• SFUSD proposed 505 FTE staff cuts in June, which the community did not really notice because SFUSD was on summer break
• These cuts are draconian. $20M from SPED dept, 30 social workers, more. 
• Even if we don’t close schools, CA Dept of Ed says we have to make cuts of this magnitude
• There is a lack of a clear, transparent plan and timeline for how SFUSD will decide these cuts. 

Q&A with CA Department of Education Advisor Elliot Duchon, regarding the current state of SFUSD’s budget crisis:

• Budget Crisis & Fiscal Stabilization Plan:
  • In June, SFUSD’s financial status downgraded from “qualified” to “negative” due to not implementing planned layoffs last year.
  • SFUSD had to create a fiscal stabilization plan immediately.
  • Layoffs are a last resort, and the district won’t know if it’s able to meet the cut requirements until May.
• Position Control & Staffing:
  • SFUSD is working on “position control” to identify, track, and budget each SFUSD staff position properly.
  • Over 200 positions lacked proper documentation (Position Control Numbers), which delayed hiring.
• Upcoming Budget Cuts:
  • The district may not involve the community when deciding the massive budget cuts this fall. They will focus on discretionary vs. mandatory spending, and positions that are not required by the CA Ed Code.
  • CDE is not approving any non-essential or unfunded positions.
• SFUSD’s First Interim Report:
  • The important “first interim” report will go to the Board of Education in October, outlining how SFUSD plans to balance its budget this year.
• Risk of State Takeover:
  • Elliot Duchon emphasized that state takeover is not good for students:
  • The district would have to borrow money from the state, pay back interest on those loans, adding pressure to stabilize its finances and can take many years or decades to pay back.
  • State takeovers strip local authorities–parents, caregivers, and board and city leaders—of their decision-making power. This jeopardizes essential programs and services, setting districts back for decades.
  • Advisors Elliot and Pam are trying their best to ensure that SFUSD makes the decisions they need this year to avoid full state takeover. 
• Cultural Shift & Increased Central Control:
  • SFUSD is moving toward more centralized control over instruction and programming, which will change how PTOs and schools operate financially. 
• Hiring Freeze & Special Education (SPED) Concerns:
  • SFUSD has a legal obligation to serve students with IEPs, including special education students.
  • There’s been a leadership change in the SPED department, and a state audit (FCMAT SPED study) is underway, which may reveal either areas for cost savings or additional spending needs.

Overall, Elliot Duchon’s tone and message conveyed how urgent SFUSD’s budget challenges are, and how important this year is to achieve fiscal stability while simultaneously protecting essential educational and support services for students.