SFUSD board approves resolution directing staff to strengthen training and curriculum on human trafficking

The San Francisco Unified School District board voted Oct. 13 to approve Resolution 1582581, asking district staff to add explicit anti‑human‑trafficking language to the child‑abuse reporting policy, adopt mandatory training for staff, and create a task force with community experts to develop curriculum content, including instruction about "comfort women" from World War II.

The measure, introduced by Commissioner Walton and amended by Commissioner Feuer, directs the superintendent and district staff "to create a task force with community experts to work in consultation to incorporate an educational component of the history of comfort women of World War 2 under the Japanese military in its curriculum to educate the community about the harmful effects of trafficking in its historical and modern day context" and to develop training for administrators, teachers and wellness staff on identifying and reporting trafficking.

Supporters who spoke during the public comment period included Laurel Botsford of Shared Hope International and representatives of the Department of Public Health, who urged passage and offered to collaborate on training. Retired Judge Julie Tang and members of the Comfort Women Justice Coalition urged that the district include the history of comfort women in world history coursework so students understand the historical context of gendered violence.

Deputy Superintendent Myung Lee and staff presented a fiscal analysis amid several commissioners' budget questions. Staff estimated first‑year implementation costs at about $182,000, including a proposed Personnel Analyst position to coordinate broad‑based mandatory staff training and $62,000 in first‑year health‑curriculum costs (about $45,000 one‑time and $17,000 recurring). Myung Lee characterized the Personnel Analyst as a coordinator who would organize delivery, recordkeeping and compliance for training across thousands of staff members.

Some commissioners said the district should have provided fiscal detail earlier; Commissioner Mendoza McDonald said she had expected budget review before the resolution reached the full board. Staff noted that some curriculum costs are related to recently enacted state laws that require updated secondary health education and that portions of the $62,000 would likely be required regardless of the local resolution. Commissioner Walton and others asked for a follow‑up report to the curriculum committee — several speakers suggested February as a possible checkpoint.

The board accepted the amendment to establish the task force and voted "As amended." Ms. Casco recorded the roll call and the chair acknowledged the student delegates as co‑authors. The clerk announced the motion carried with six ayes.