SFUSD board sends extracurricular‑activities policy back to Rules Committee after hours of public comment

The San Francisco Unified School District board voted on Feb. 13 to postpone action and send proposed administrative regulations for board policy 61.45 — governing extracurricular and co‑curricular activities — back to the Rules Committee after more than an hour of public comment from students, teachers and community groups.

The student advisory council had recommended that "district staff shall collaborate with the Student Advisory Council to develop administrative regulations to ensure that all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, have equitable access to extracurricular and co‑curricular activities," Deputy Superintendent Lee told the board. The rules committee earlier recommended a policy framework that included a four‑tier fee schedule for facility use.

Hundreds of supporters of school arts programs — including teachers from Lowell High School and numerous student performers — told the board that school productions, recitals and concerts rely heavily on revenue from ticket sales to pay for licensing, sets, costumes, custodial and security fees. "A musical can cost about $25,000 because of licensing fees," said Wendy Jones, a Lowell dance teacher, urging the board to include teachers and students in drafting any new regulations.

Students described the educational value of performances. "Being part of Lowell drama is about making memories and bonds," said Charlotte Schwartz, a senior at Lowell. Several speakers warned that eliminating or restricting student ticket sales could end productions at some schools or jeopardize access to auditoriums that require rental fees.

Board members repeatedly expressed support for the arts while noting the district’s responsibility to ensure equitable opportunities across roughly 56,000 students. Commissioner Norton, who moved to postpone the item, said the board needed "an analysis from the staff on what would the fiscal impact be on the various programs of not charging students." The motion to send the item back to Rules Committee with a request for a fiscal impact review and continued student engagement passed on a roll call vote (6 ayes).

Student delegates and the Student Advisory Council told the board they supported continuing the conversation in committee rather than forcing a compromise now. "We are not trying to remove all ticket sales for performances," a SAC delegate said; the council asked that student voices remain a central part of the rule‑making process.

The board asked staff to prepare clearer administrative criteria describing what counts as an SFUSD‑sponsored event and to provide comparative data about current school practices and fees. Several commissioners also suggested exploring options such as daytime free performances for students and evening ticketed performances to preserve revenue while improving access.

Next steps: Rules Committee will reexamine the draft regulations with the requested fiscal information, broaden outreach to teachers and students, and return to the full board at a future meeting.