UPDATE: San Francisco public school leaders are in turmoil after receiving a shocking email from Superintendent Maria Su on the first day back from winter break, revealing a preliminary budget that includes $102 million in cuts. This alarming plan, which the San Francisco Board of Education unanimously rejected just last month, has left school principals and district officials utterly baffled.
In an email shared with Mission Local, Superintendent Su outlined budget cuts that could significantly reduce staffing levels across the district, affecting over 100 schools. School leaders were left confused and fearful, questioning how a rejected budget could resurface and continue to influence decisions. A principal, who spoke anonymously, expressed her disbelief, stating, “I don’t know how they could go forward with it. It doesn’t seem to matter what we say.”
The email outlined the impact of these cuts, detailing how many teaching positions would be retained and which programs would remain in place for the 2026-2027 school year. The proposed cuts raise serious concerns, particularly at smaller schools like Visitacion Valley Middle School, which, despite serving a student body that is over 90% low-income, could see its teaching staff slashed from 22 to 14 teachers.
During a school board meeting in December, Su characterized the proposed cuts as a “worst-case scenario,” but the reality of these layoffs has left many in the education community alarmed. The district is under pressure to balance its budget and exit state oversight, but educators argue that staffing decisions should reflect the unique needs of each school, especially those with high populations of low-income and immigrant students.
The latest developments have ignited a wave of criticism among school board members. Board Vice President Jaime Huling called the budget a “one-size-fits-all” approach that fails to meet the diverse needs of schools. Commissioner Matt Alexander emphasized that staffing levels proposed in the budget are untenable, stating, “It’s just not possible to run a school at this staffing level.”
As the district prepares for community meetings this weekend to discuss the budget, school principals and staff are bracing for the potential fallout. With a deadline for budget revisions set for March 2025, the pressure is mounting for Su to listen to feedback from educators and adjust her plan accordingly.
Critics of Su’s leadership have voiced concerns over a perceived lack of transparency in the district’s financial decision-making. The Board’s rejection of the budget was a direct response to the proposed staffing cuts, which they deemed excessive and harmful to students’ educational experiences.
The urgency surrounding this budget crisis has prompted community members to rally for a more equitable approach to staffing, advocating for resources to be allocated where they are most needed. The emotional toll on educators and students alike is palpable, as many fear that these cuts will severely impact their ability to provide essential support to those who need it most.
As it stands, the fate of the San Francisco Unified School District’s budget remains uncertain. School leaders and community members are left to grapple with the implications of these cuts while awaiting further developments from Superintendent Su and the Board of Education.
Stay tuned for live updates as this story unfolds. Share your thoughts and concerns about the budget proposal as the community comes together to advocate for the future of San Francisco schools.
