SFUSD board approves preliminary layoff notices and seniority order amid community objections

The San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education on Feb. 26 authorized staff to issue preliminary notices that could reduce certificated, paraprofessional and early‑education positions for the 2013–14 school year.

Board members approved a resolution to begin reductions in particular kinds of service that identified 24 full‑time equivalent (FTE) administrative positions and 117.8 FTE instructional positions as potentially affected. Staff said notices will be mailed by certified mail on March 11 to meet the statutory March 15 deadline; layoff hearings are scheduled for April, the administrative‑law judge must rule by May 7, and final notices or rescissions will be issued no later than May 10.

Superintendent Richard Carranza and human‑resources staff told the board the district’s fiscal outlook has improved since last year — in part because of Proposition 30 — but multiple grants are expiring, including a $45,000,000 School Improvement Grant (SIG) distributed over the last three years and a $1,600,000 nutrition‑education grant. Staff said attrition (retirements and resignations) and projected openings reduce the needed number of notices: the district reported 55 retirement requests as of Feb. 24 and estimated total certificated departures between about 175 and 225 this year.

Staff explained retention criteria that will be used if reductions become necessary, including credential requirements, English‑learner certifications (CLAD/BCLAD), relevant experience and recent service in the assignment. The district has 631 probationary teachers; most preliminary notices are expected to affect probationary status, though staff cautioned that in some subject areas (art, social science, vocational education) permanent staff could be affected.

The board also adopted a separate resolution establishing an order of seniority for employees hired on the same date and approved two additional staffing resolutions: a reduction in paraprofessional positions (specific FTEs listed in the staff exhibit) and a reduction of 10 FTE in the Early Education Department.

Speakers from United Educators and dozens of parents and community members urged the board to minimize notices and rescind them when possible. United Educators representatives argued attrition may cover many of the positions on the list and cautioned that receipt of a preliminary notice often prompts employees to leave the district. Community speakers repeatedly pressed the board to use rainy‑day funds, city support or other allocations to preserve positions serving high‑need students.

Staff and board members acknowledged the timing mismatch: school site budgets and state decisions are not final by the March 15 statutory notice date, so the district must issue preliminary notices now to preserve the board’s option to reduce positions later if necessary. Staff emphasized the notices are the maximum number the board will consider and said they expect some notices to be rescinded as site allocations and final revenues become clearer.

The first resolution (decrease in certificated employees due to reduction in particular kinds of service) passed by roll call 4–? (votes recorded in the minutes as 4 ayes for that item); the seniority‑order resolution passed unanimously; the paraprofessional and early‑education reductions passed with recorded ayes of 4 and 5 respectively. The board and staff said they will continue to coordinate with site leaders and labor partners and notify employees of any rescissions as funding and staffing decisions firm up.

Next steps: certified notices are planned for March 11; hearings take place in April; the administrative‑law judge’s decision is due by May 7 with final notices or rescissions to follow by May 10.