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SFUSD superintendent warns of layoffs, praises mayor's move to provide rainy-day funds
Summary
Superintendent Garcia told the Board that potential layoff notices were sent to "over 400" employees and said Mayor Lee plans to move to provide the district rainy-day funds; board members and unions urged continued advocacy and transparency about how incoming funds will be used.
Superintendent Garcia told the Board of Education that the district had been forced to issue potential layoff notices to "over 400 of our employees," calling the step "god awful" and urging the community to press legislators for relief. He said the mayor and Board of Supervisors plan to advance use of the city's rainy-day fund to assist the district.
The superintendent framed the move as necessary to demonstrate the district's need to qualify for city funds: "in order for us to request a portion of the city's rainy day fund, part of the requirements is that we have to demonstrate a need." He also summarized options the Legislative Analyst's Office has proposed for balancing the state budget, including potential class-size and tuition changes that could reduce education funding.
Why it matters: board members and union leaders argued the district should be transparent about the use of any incoming funds and urged the board to seek rescinding layoffs if local revenue arrives. Dennis Kelly, president of United Educators of San Francisco, said the union collected more than 3,000 petition signatures calling for the board to rescind layoffs and to restore school-site budgets and security hours. Kelly asked the district to "make the commitment that the layoffs will be rescinded, not just the teacher layoffs, but those critical paraprofessional layoffs," citing roughly 194 paraprofessional positions at risk.
Details and context: Garcia said local support was critical because "we have a state that doesn't sometimes care enough about its young people and its future," and thanked Mayor Lee and the Board of Supervisors for stepping forward. Commissioners urged continued civic advocacy; one commissioner noted the governor's proposed tax-extension measure faces a tight timeline and new legislative deadlines. Public commenters asked for transparency in how federal Ed Jobs and any rainy-day funds would be allocated.
What happens next: board committees will continue budget discussions (Budget Committee scheduled for March 30) and the board and unions said they will press legislators to put revenue measures before voters so the district's budget can be stabilized. The board did not take a formal rescindment vote at this meeting.
