San Francisco could become 1st city to ban eviction of teachers during school year

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco could become the first city to ban the eviction of teachers from their homes during the school year.

It's a proposal introduced by a supervisor Tuesday.

Allison Leshefsky is a PE teacher at Paul Revere Elementary in San Francisco. She says her work's been affected since she was forced out of her apartment in December.

"If I didn't have to go through this eviction during the school year, my time with my students would be much better served," said Allison Leshefsky. She may be able to move back into her place after the landlord finishes repairs.

But those who gathered on the steps of City Hall Tuesday say anyone who works for any school in the city, public, private, parochial, janitors or educators should not be kicked out of their home during the academic year.

There's already a similar law that protects families with children from being displaced until summer break by owners who want to move in. Supervisor David Campos is behind the new legislation, and says while many San Francisco tenants deserve protections, the challenge is unique for those who work at schools.

"San Francisco cannot be a world class city without a world class education system and to have a world class education system we need to have educators living in the city," Campos said.

He says the average teacher earns less than $3,400 a month while the median price for a one bedroom apartment is over $3,600. The executive director of the San Francisco Apartment Association, says small property owners would like the legislation tightened.

"We have to make sure the language is such that it doesn't open the door for a lot of other people to fall into the school teacher that may really not need this assistance," said Janan New of the San Francisco Apartment Association.

She also believes if the measure passes it could be a disincentive for landlords to rent to teachers like Leshefsky.