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SFUSD board approves resolution to expand services for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students
Summary
The Board of Education adopted Resolution 18313-1381 directing staff to expand culturally competent supports, partner with Samoan Community Development Center, create dedicated space and disaggregate PI data to better track NHPI outcomes. Community leaders urged immediate staffing and space.
The San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education on April 10 adopted Resolution 18313-1381 calling for expanded, culturally competent services for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) students, including partnerships with community groups and more precise data collection.
Commissioners Stevon Cook and President Mendoza McDonald introduced the measure, which cites disparities in academic achievement, college readiness and health outcomes for NHPI students in San Francisco and nationally. The resolution directs the superintendent to work with staff and community partners — including the Samoan Community Development Center — to identify staffing needs, create dedicated community space and pursue culturally relevant curriculum and wraparound services. It also instructs staff to disaggregate Pacific Islander data from broader API categories "to better capture NHPI data," so progress can be measured.
Community members and advocates framed the vote as "historic." A community speaker said, "This initiative...is community driven," and urged the board to commit to hiring the recommended staff positions and preserving the building that currently houses the Samoan Community Development Center. Noah Frigo, a policy analyst at the Human Rights Commission, told the board that disaggregating PI data removes statistical invisibility and helps target supports; he noted state law on disaggregation will not take full effect for several years and covers limited areas.
Board members voiced support for the resolution and emphasized the need to align implementation with community needs. Commissioner Walton said the resolution represents a commitment "to make sure that we provide specific and strategic opportunities" for populations with the largest gaps. Commissioner Morozin asked that implementation plans align with community priorities rather than becoming internally focused.
The board opened the floor to public testimony from several NHPI community leaders and organizations who asked for immediate hiring of multiple staff positions, for dedicated space at district facilities and for programs to address disparities in academic outcomes and health services.
The resolution passed on the board's roll call. The board and community members said next steps include detailing staffing levels, identifying space and developing pilot programs to ensure the supports are implemented with community oversight.
