Board approves revised SFUSD–SFPD memorandum of understanding, adds mandatory training and stronger language on school arrests

The San Francisco Unified School District board on a 7–0 vote approved a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the San Francisco Police Department that strengthens protections for students and requires annual cross-agency training.

The MOU was the focus of extensive public comment from students, parents, community groups and educators. Concern centered on section 19, which addresses “graduated responses” to low-level school incidents. Community advocates urged the board to change advisory language that reads “should use the graduated response system” to mandatory language.

Kevin Bogus of Coleman Advocates and multiple young speakers told the board the section must be binding to prevent routine police involvement in noncriminal school matters. One youth speaker said: “Police should handle police matters. What happens at school happens at school. The MOU needs to be mandated.” Other speakers, including the Youth Commission and United Educators of San Francisco, recommended reciprocal language on mutual respect and clearer training commitments.

Board members proposed and accepted two substantive amendments before voting. First, the board directed staff to change the sentence in section 19 to read that when SFPD officers make a school-based arrest, “they shall use the graduated response system” (replacing the advisory “should”). Second, the board required that school resource officers (SROs) and any police officers who may interact with SFUSD students “shall participate in at least one training per year provided by SFUSD regarding restorative practices.” Board members said the training language was intended to align police practice with the district’s restorative-discipline approach.

Supporters said the changes create clearer expectations and create a structure for ongoing dialogue between the district and SFPD. Commissioner Feuer thanked staff and community partners for years of work on the agreement, calling the document “a testament to all your hard work and collaboration.”

Opponents and some board members also expressed concerns about language and implementation detail. Commissioner Mathis said she was not prepared to support the item without additional information, though she ultimately voted in favor of the amended MOU with the understanding that staff would circulate a redlined version showing all edits and that the board would receive follow-up reporting. Several commissioners asked the administration to provide periodic, disaggregated reports on school-related offenses, arrests and the application of the MOU so the board can monitor whether arrests are occurring for off-campus matters.

The MOU document references earlier practice and prior amendments (including a 2005 addendum addressing arrests on school campuses) and the previous MOU’s expiration in 2010. The board instructed staff to coordinate with legal counsel and the police department to finalize a redline reflecting the evening’s amendments and to return any substantive follow-up analyses or clarifications to the board.

The action follows months of negotiations involving students, the Youth Commission, Coleman Advocates, United Educators of San Francisco, SFPD representatives and SFUSD staff. The board’s vote authorizes the superintendent to finalize the MOU as amended and to continue cross-agency work to implement training and reporting measures.