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Public commenters press SFUSD on Prop 39 placement, bullying, neighborhood budget cuts and solar ideas
Summary
At public comment, KIPP urged the district to locate a proposed KIPP Bayview elementary in Bayview instead of Noe Valley under Prop 39; a parent detailed repeated bullying incidents at Bessie Carmichael; another speaker requested reinstatement of $130,000 cut at Junipero Serra Elementary; and a resident proposed installing solar panels on school roofs.
Several members of the public used Tuesday’s board meeting to raise concerns ranging from facility placement to student safety.
Maria Crowder, speaking for KIPP Bay Area Schools, said KIPP was surprised to learn the district’s initial Prop 39 facilities offer placed the proposed KIPP Bayview elementary at the Mission Education Center in Noe Valley and asked the district to partner to find a location in Bayview close to the majority of proposed families. "The vast majority of our families proposing this KIPP elementary school live in the Bayview and want the school to open in the Bayview," Crowder said.
A parent from Bessie Carmichael Elementary, Makayla May, gave a detailed account of alleged repeated bullying of her daughter — including cutting hair, pushing, spitting and other physical harassment — and said multiple administrative steps taken to date have not resolved the situation. Superintendent staff indicated a district staff member (Kevin Truitt) would follow up directly with the parent.
Shola Saba asked the board to reinstate a $130,000 budget cut at Junipero Serra Elementary, noting the school serves a higher proportion of socioeconomically disadvantaged students (about 86.6 percent in the cited SARC report) and that the cut undermines equity. Paul Kangas suggested the district explore putting solar panels on school roofs to generate revenue and provide educational opportunities; he pointed to at least one nearby example where panels are already installed.
Board members and staff acknowledged the comments and said staff would follow up with the speakers when appropriate.
