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Dozens of speakers urge school board to renew MOU with Arab Resource Organizing Center
Summary
Multiple community members urged the board to approve or advance an MOU with the Arab Resource Organizing Center (AROC), citing language access and student support; other commenters said opposition stemmed from outside political disagreements. Speakers described incidents of students feeling unsafe and a lack of Arabic‑speaking staff in schools.
During an extended public‑comment period, dozens of speakers urged the San Francisco Board of Education to renew and approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Arab Resource Organizing Center (AROC) so it can continue providing language services, translation and family outreach in SFUSD schools.
Speakers including community members and representatives from Jewish and interfaith organizations said AROC has provided Arabic translation, helped develop Arabic and Vietnamese language pathways and hosted youth programming at no cost to the district. Supporters cited survey findings and anecdotal evidence that Arab students and families were feeling targeted in the national climate and needed school‑based supports. One speaker said, "Forty‑five percent of the students have said that they had heard some kind of anti‑Arab comment from a teacher or a staff person," and urged partnership to ensure language access.
Other public commenters acknowledged pressure from Jewish communal organizations; some Jewish speakers said they supported the MOU and urged the board not to yield to external political disputes. Carol Sanders and others described prior examples where community pressure sought to disqualify cultural programming.
Board members did not take immediate action on public comment; the superintendent indicated staff would follow up on requests for information and the board noted the MOU remains under consideration at committee levels.
