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Families and staff urge SFUSD to reverse closure of iTalk program at Francis Scott Key
Summary
Dozens of parents, teachers and students told the board the iTalk/ITOC augmentative communication program is unique in the city and warned that a rapid closure would harm nonverbal and severely disabled students; speakers asked the board to delay any move and visit the site before final decisions.
Dozens of parents, teachers and former students pleaded with the San Francisco Unified School District board during public comment to halt a planned closure or relocation of the ITOC ("iTalk") augmentative-communication program at Francis Scott Key Elementary.
Speakers described the program's specialized services — on-site physical, occupational and speech therapy, use of electronic communication devices, and intensive training for staff — and said no comparable citywide program exists. Multiple parents said they received three days'notice to transfer children to other sites and said the short timeline would disrupt essential therapies and community supports.
What speakers said: Former and current ITOC families told personal stories of progress that depended on continuous access to devices, therapy and an integrated peer environment. A parent said her child, who has cerebral palsy, learned to communicate via the program and would lose critical supports if the program moved. Teachers and speech-language pathologists testified that displacing the classroom would require more buses, higher costs and could reduce the effectiveness of interventions.
District reply and board requests: District administrators acknowledged parent concerns and said earlier communications were issued rapidly; they asked for time to present staff reports and asked the board to consider site visits. Several board members requested a slower process, on-site visits and more time for community engagement before any final decision.
Next steps: Public comment closed after many speakers; board members asked staff to follow up with the community and provide additional information. Parents and PTA leaders asked the board to postpone action so trustees can visit Francis Scott Key and see the program in operation.
Quote: "This is the only program in the city that serves children who are unable to talk," said one parent testifying on behalf of many families.
Context: The iTalk/ITOC program was cited repeatedly during the public comment period as a model of inclusive practice; speakers urged the board to use standard community-engagement processes before implementing closures or relocations.
