Students march as SF Unified threatens to close schools; superintendent explains next steps

ByLena Howland and Luz Pena

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Students march as SF Unified threatens to close schools

We are learning more details about how SFUSD is planning to close or merge 13 schools as it faces a $400 million budget deficit.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- We are learning more details about how San Francisco's Unified School District is planning to close or merge 13 schools as it faces a $400 million budget deficit.

Just 24 hours after the news broke, parents, teachers and students protested Wednesday afternoon, hoping their voices would keep their schools open.

"Save our school. Save our school," chanted a group of students as they marched around the Castro District.

Their school is one that meets the criteria for closing or merging with another school next year. SFUSD is planning to send all the students from Harvey Milk Elementary to Sanchez Elementary.

"We feel like our kids are being asked to pay the price for administrative mismanagement for the past several years, and it's not fair," said Joanna Lin, a parent of a Harvey Milk Elementary student.

We looked into SFUSD's report to understand why these schools are being threatened.

The district considered several factors when choosing the impacted schools.

If the school had 260 students or fewer, and a low "composite score" if they were elementary schools, they would meet the criteria to be merged or closed.

The composite score is made up of students' achievements and facility conditions, among other factors.

Based on this criteria, SFUSD identified three schools that would close, two schools that would become welcoming schools and eight schools that would need to merge.

We asked Superintendent Matt Wayne to explain to clarify the merger decision.

"When we talk about mergers, we are talking about when students from one school, the whole student body is able to go to another school. So, those two schools are merging. Whereas, when we have students who are going to multiple schools, we are saying that school is closing and that is not a merger," Wayne said.

Luz Pena: "If the schools are empty, wouldn't that be considered more schools closing?"

Matt Wayne: "Yes, all the schools on the list are criteria for closing/merger, and if they merge with another school, their building won't be used as a K-5 school, but we are still looking into using it to support the district."

Wayne said the district is not planning to sell the properties but is looking to make money to help the budget.

"We do own the land. We are not interested in selling the land. When we do sell our property, we can only use the money for facility upgrades. We are interested in generating revenue from the property, so if we lease the property, we do get revenue," Wayne said. "We do have guidelines for how school facilities are used, and we would only have it be used with organizations that are going to support the district and families or for some other uses that we might have."

In the case of Harvey Milk Elementary, the school district is planning to potentially repurpose it as an early education center.

Leanne Francis has taught at Harvey Milk Elementary for 30 years and is still processing the news.

"I feel sick to my stomach. We all do. We feel like it's a gut punch," Francis said. "This school was fought for by Harvey Milk back in the day to keep it as a school. They were going to shut it down as Douglas. We have been that beacon for decades now."

"They're talking about equity, equity, but they're not considering the LGBTQ+ community in this equity conversation, and it's blowing my mind. And I'm just devastated right now," said Elise Reynolds-McCarty, a teacher at Harvey Milk Elementary.

Many parents are questioning the effectiveness of closing and merging schools.

"As of yet, we haven't heard how this is actually going to save us money," said Nicole Macias, a parent of a Harvey Milk Elementary student.

Wayne said SFUSD is focused on preventing a state take over.

SFUSD is set to submit a budget report to the state in December to show it is taking action to tackle the $400 million budget deficit the district is facing over a three-year period.

Emotions were running high Wednesday morning.

At San Francisco Public Montessori, families dropped their students off in the morning, now knowing this school year could be their last.

"From the custodian, Mr. Eddy, to the front desk, Ms. Marilyn, to Ms. Benitez the principal, it's been incredible," said Amy Wilkinson, a parent at San Francisco Public Montessori.

The Wilkinsons have been coming to this elementary school for nine years, with all three of their daughters attending.

Teachers say the school represents values, like justice, freedom and acceptance.

"It's an unfortunate shock to see this leaving," Rohan Wilkinson, a parent said.

They say the Public Montessori is a critical resource for the district to even consider losing.

"It very much focuses on autonomy, independence, hands on learning, project management -- all the things that we think are life-long learning skills and wouldn't be available to many other than in the private sector," Amy and Rohan said.

San Francisco Unified Superintendent Matt Wayne said school closures can't be avoided, with a $400 million deficit over three years, shrinking student counts and the threat of a state takeover.

"We've got fewer teachers than we've had. Like right now, we have five classes in the school for six grades, so we don't even have one classroom per grade now," said Gerald Kanapathy, a San Francisco Public Montessori parent. "This year, music isn't available for second graders and down."

The district is planning to engage with families, teachers and staff at all impacted schools through three town halls before the final vote in December.

One of them is happening virtually on Thursday night at 5:30 p.m.