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SFUSD announces four furlough days; unions urge immediate use of EduJobs funds to restore paraprofessionals’ hours
Summary
Superintendent Garcia announced the first of four district-wide furlough days on Nov. 1 as budget cuts continue. Union leaders and parents urged the board to use Education Jobs (EduJobs) funds to restore hours for paraprofessional security aides, citing safety and hardship; the superintendent said staff will provide a cost analysis and warned of budget uncertainty for next year.
Superintendent Richard Garcia told the board that Monday, Nov. 1, will be the first of four districtwide furlough days, during which schools, child development centers and district offices will be closed and SFUSD-sponsored after-school programs will not operate. "This is the first of 4 furlough days that will occur throughout the school year," Garcia said, linking the measure to statewide funding cuts.
Why it matters: Parents, union leaders and school staff said the furloughs and related pay cuts have had immediate financial and safety consequences at school sites, and asked the board to use EduJobs funds that the district has received to restore work hours for paraprofessional security aides.
Union and staff speakers gave personal accounts. "We need those 35 [laid-off] pairs rehired and we need hours restored," Carolyn Samal, vice president for paraprofessionals for UESF, told the board, noting more than 130 security aides had hours cut and 35 pairs remained laid off. Linda Plack, executive vice president of United Educators of San Francisco, said shortened days for security aides "is a bad bargain for the district" and urged restoration of hours because aides act as mentors, hall monitors and first responders.
The board heard multiple public pleas across two minutes-per-speaker slots from AJ Frazier, Kathy O'Baron Shuchuk, Roberto Michela and others describing reduced pay (an example cited: roughly $400/month loss for one hour daily) and the strain on families. "He is one of the tens whose hours have been cut this year," a speaker said of honoree Albert Johnson, linking the cuts to the recent presentation honoring him.
Superintendent Garcia acknowledged the district has received EduJobs funds but urged caution. He said the funds might need to be managed to cover two years and to reduce the risk of layoffs next year given a projected $10–20 million deficit. "We do have that money," Garcia said, but asked the board to consider January budget clarity before committing the funds. Board members requested a written analysis of the cost to restore the hour so members could make an informed decision.
Next steps: The superintendent agreed to provide the board with a cost analysis showing the financial impact of restoring the hour. Labor leaders said they have formally demanded bargaining over EduJobs funding and urged immediate action.
Source: Public comment and board discussion at the SFUSD board meeting. The speakers urging restoration included Carolyn Samal (UESF), AJ Frazier (Lowell HS staff/UE exec board), Linda Plack (United Educators of San Francisco), Kathy O'Baron Shuchuk, Roberto Michela and Dennis Kelly (United Educators of San Francisco president).
