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SFUSD superintendent warns of tens of millions in budget cuts, announces closures and bond sale
Summary
Superintendent Garcia told the board that a Feb. 29 meeting with the governor made clear the district faces severe cuts — he cited roughly $83 million in reductions even if the governor's initiative passes and $119 million if it fails — and announced two forced school closure days and a successful bond sale for nearly 50 sites.
San Francisco — Superintendent Garcia told the Board of Education on March 13 that a Feb. 29 meeting with the governor and chief financial staff made clear San Francisco Unified faces deep budget cuts over the next two years.
Garcia said he and other large‑district superintendents had expected a short meeting but ended up spending three hours with the governor's team. "Even with his initiative passing, a district like ours would still be cutting in the next two years $83,000,000," Garcia said. "If it doesn't pass, then a district like ours would have to cut as much as $119,000,000 from our budget." He called attention to causes beyond the initiative, including lack of cost‑of‑living adjustments, expiration of stimulus funds and delayed state payments.
On a more positive note, Garcia said the district completed a successful bond sale tied to the 2011 authorization, securing favorable interest rates to move repairs and upgrades at nearly 50 school sites. He also noted the district received a Sunny Award recognizing its website among the most transparent government sites nationally.
Garcia closed the budget portion of his report with an operational announcement: because of state actions, the district will observe two forced closure days — Friday, March 16, and Friday, April 6 — during which schools and district offices will be closed.
Board members asked for additional information in follow‑up items and noted the broader political context in Sacramento. The district did not take vote action on budget policy at the March 13 meeting; Garcia's remarks served as an informational update and a public warning about the scale of possible cuts.
