Parents and colleagues urge SFUSD to reverse non-reelection of ER Taylor special-education teacher; board readout shows multiple non-reelection votes

Dozens of parents, colleagues and union representatives spoke at the San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education meeting on Feb. 11 in defense of ER Taylor special-education teacher Kimiko Barpour, urging the board to reverse or reconsider a non-reelection recommendation that community members said would hurt students.

Members of the public described Barpour as a student-centered pathway teacher who has supported young children with individualized education programs (IEPs), mentored newer staff and helped stabilize a site they characterized as undergoing administrative turmoil. ‘‘She’s compassionate, patient … she deescalated children and successfully dealt with challenging behaviors,’’ said Sophie Eckert, a second-grade general education teacher who testified in support of Barpour. Diane Thompson, a special-education induction coach, said Barpour is four months away from clearing her credential and asked the board to consider supports that would keep teachers of color in the district.

Several speakers framed their remarks around district staffing and supports for special education. Will Patterson, a resource specialist, cited survey results he said showed 66 percent of special-education teachers cannot meet required services for students on their caseloads and that many sites are not delivering paraeducator services called for in IEPs. The Community Advisory Committee for Special Education and United Educators of San Francisco also urged the board to consider the broader retention and training issues that public commenters raised.

Board members thanked speakers and asked staff to follow up on specific site concerns. President Sanchez said staff should investigate a specific allegation about a class with no teacher present and recommended a study session to look at special-education operations.

After the meeting went into closed session, the board read out several personnel votes. President Sanchez reported the board ‘‘by a vote of 6 ayes, 1 absent’’ approved non-reelection actions affecting multiple probationary and certificated employees; the closed-session readout also recorded other non-reelection votes and the board’s direction to general counsel in an anticipated litigation matter (HS v. SFUSD, OAH #2191246). The readout did not name school sites in every instance; the board described the personnel matters as actions taken under closed session protocols.

What happens next: district staff said they would follow up with affected employees and that personnel determinations and the closed-session readouts are part of the board’s statutorily prescribed deliberative process. Community members asked for clearer public explanation of next steps and for additional study of supports and retention strategies for special-education staff.