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Parents, teachers urge board to save Presidio Early Education School as district cites leasing issues
Summary
Families, staff and advocates urged the San Francisco Board of Education to reverse a proposed closure of the Presidio Early Education School, highlighting its infant/toddler and inclusion programs and asking for budget transparency and a seat at lease negotiations with the Presidio Trust.
At length during public comment, parents and teachers pressed the board to preserve the Presidio Early Education School, a unique on-site early-childhood program located in the Presidio national park. Dozens of callers said the site serves infants, toddlers, a deaf and hard-of-hearing classroom, and offers a diverse, inclusion-oriented program that allows many families to live and work in the city.
"The Presidio Early Education School is such a unique place," said Laura Belmar, appearing as a PTA representative (public commenter). Parents described receiving little notice and requested clarity on lease negotiations and operating costs. One parent said the site enables them to keep a job in the city.
District staff acknowledged budget pressure, and presenters at the meeting noted that rising site lease costs and an uncertain fiscal outlook forced difficult choices. Speakers representing the school and union urged staff to negotiate with the Presidio Trust and explore alternatives to closure, including advisory committee consultation, relocation options, and collaborative funding strategies.
The board heard multiple personal accounts of the program’s impact: staff highlighted early-intervention successes for IEP students, and community members warned that closing the school would reduce infant/toddler options that are otherwise scarce in San Francisco.
What’s next: The board pledged to follow up on Presidio; parents asked for prompt transparency and an opportunity to participate in discussions with the Presidio Trust about leases and possible alternatives.
