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Parents and students demand immediate safety steps after Ida B. Wells co-location at John O'Connell
Summary
Dozens of students and parents told the San Francisco Unified School District board that two recent incidents involving weapons and repeated fights followed the January co-location of Ida B. Wells at John O'Connell. They asked for more counselors, security staff, ID badges and a quick plan to restore safety; the superintendent pledged district support.
Dozens of students, parents and staff urged the San Francisco Unified School District board to act quickly after Ida B. Wells continuation school was co-located at John O'Connell High School in January.
Students told the board they no longer feel safe on the John O'Connell campus after two incidents involving firearms and a wave of fights and lockdowns. "School is for learning and not for all these problems," student Gisela Aguayo said, adding that she wants the school to "revert to its back revert to its safeness."
Parents described a surge in violence and asked the district to provide immediate resources. "We demand this immediate action no later than Monday, February 16," parent Diane Portillo said, listing requests that included more trained security personnel, additional wellness counselors, mandatory ID lanyards, and lockdown training for staff.
Teachers and Ida B. Wells staff urged the board not to demonize continuation students and stressed that many of those students face significant challenges; teacher Alice Cravens said the move has "devalued" some students and made rebuilding a supportive community harder.
Principal Mark Alvarado of John O'Connell, speaking to both the community and the board, asked stakeholders to work together while also acknowledging the seriousness of safety concerns.
Superintendent Richard Carranza said district staff, including assistant superintendent Bill Sanderson, are already working with both principals and that central office teams have been at the site. Carranza praised students who flagged weapons to adults and said the district will provide "the support that you need," while urging the public not to demonize either school.
Board members heard repeated requests from parents for immediate security and student-support measures and committed to follow up. The board did not vote on a relocation or an immediate policy change that evening; parents said they will continue to press the district for a written timeline and concrete actions.
