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SFUSD superintendent says reopening plans being reassessed amid COVID surge
Summary
Superintendent Matthews told the Board of Education the district is reassessing plans to return students to in‑person learning because of a surge in COVID cases, new viral strains and outstanding labor negotiations; families should expect a more detailed update later in January.
Superintendent Matthews told the San Francisco Board of Education on Jan. 12 that rising COVID-19 cases, uncertainty about testing guidelines and a newly identified viral strain mean the district will "reassess our return to in person learning." Matthews said the board and district are working closely with the Department of Public Health and labor partners but have not yet reached agreement on health and safety conditions required to safely bring students back.
Matthews outlined the district’s enrollment timeline and resources for families, announced season 3 of the SF Loves Learning broadcast for elementary students, and thanked a nonprofit for donating 3,200 secondary monitor screens to teachers. She gave specific application and offer dates for the 2021 enrollment cycle and said details about phased reopening would be revised as public-health guidance evolves.
Why it matters: the update makes clear that district leaders are not abandoning the goal of reopening but that operational decisions hinge on public-health metrics and finalized agreements with labor partners. Board members and many callers during public comment urged faster clarity and stronger testing and vaccination plans for staff.
Next steps: Matthews said the district will provide a more detailed reopening update later in January and will continue negotiations with unions about testing, vaccination prioritization and site-specific safety measures.
