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Parents and union demand board rescind layoffs and act on school leadership complaints
Summary
Dozens of parents, students and union representatives urged the SFUSD board to reverse layoffs and raised specific complaints about an assistant principal at Bessie Carmichael FEC and teacher continuity at Alamo Elementary; the superintendent offered to meet with parents and staff to gather details.
A broad coalition of parents, students and union representatives filled the board room May 14 to press the San Francisco Unified School District to rescind planned layoffs and to press school leaders for action in specific campus disputes.
A group of parents representing the Bessie Carmichael Filipino Education Center told the board they had circulated a petition alleging repeated incidents of rude or disrespectful conduct by the assistant principal and described what they called negative impacts on students and teachers. Multiple students and parents said the assistant principal declined requests to discuss grades or behavioral incidents, and one parent said she would pursue a petition to have the administrator removed. Supporters of teacher Miss Madel also spoke, describing her as a dedicated instructor who provides extra help before, during and after school.
Separately, parents from Alamo Elementary urged the board to prioritize teacher continuity in a kindergarten classroom after months of rotating substitutes and extended absences, saying they sought a credentialed teacher in place by the start of next school year.
Union and community speakers, including United Public Workers and United Educators of San Francisco representatives, urged the board to reverse announced layoffs and furloughs. A union speaker said the district had $50 million in unanticipated funds this year and that state projections could bring additional revenue; union leaders urged the board to use those resources to rescind layoffs affecting paraprofessionals, family liaisons, counselors and nutrition staff. Susan Solomon, executive vice president of UESF, described the human impact of layoff notices and said the union would press for more stability for students and staff.
Superintendent Richard Carranza asked that affected parents meet with Assistant Superintendent Brent Stevens in the lobby to provide contact information and share their concerns so staff could follow up. Several parents and employees stressed the importance of paraprofessionals and family liaisons for outreach and student support in historically underserved neighborhoods.
