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Teachers and advocates ask SFUSD for investigation and moratorium on PAR program
Summary
Public commenters urged the board to impose a moratorium and investigate the district’s Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) program, alleging it targets senior, African American and Latino teachers, lacks transparency and uses Proposition funds inappropriately.
Multiple speakers urged the board to investigate the district’s Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) program and to impose an immediate moratorium on PAR cases, alleging discriminatory implementation and lack of transparency.
Teacher Margaret Reyes requested an investigation, citing a whistleblower letter and a spreadsheet she said showed PAR participants over seven years; she said those data suggested discriminatory targeting. Reyes alleged the program is funded in part by Proposition A money and called for a pause while the district reviews practices. Steve Zeltzer of Defend Public Education Now said PAR has been used across California to pressure and remove veteran teachers and alleged nondisclosure agreements and secret procedures in some local PAR instances.
Speakers urged the board to examine PAR’s funding sources, procedures and whether nondisclosure provisions have been required of participants. They asked the board to ensure transparency and protection for teachers and to allocate Proposition funds to instruction and staffing rather than consultant-driven programs that participants say function like punitive "teacher jails."
Board members did not take action on a moratorium at this meeting. The district and union representatives did not present a formal response during the public-comment block; speakers asked staff to produce records that would address their allegations.
What’s next: callers requested a public review of PAR data, funding and procedures and urged the board to direct staff to investigate; the board did not commit to a moratorium at this session.
