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Paras urge SFUSD to fix PARS shortfalls, seek return to Social Security
Summary
Dozens of paraprofessionals, teachers and union representatives told the board that many paras face inadequate PARS retirements (examples cited: $150–$300 monthly), urged moving eligible staff back into Social Security and demanded rapid district action to resolve alleged legal and moral failures dating to 1993.
Dozens of paraprofessionals, teachers and union representatives addressed the San Francisco Unified School District board Oct. 12, urging immediate action to correct long-running problems with the district's PARS retirement system and restore paraprofessionals to Social Security where appropriate.
Speakers described retirees and long-serving employees facing monthly PARS payments as low as $150 to $300, and said many workers were unaware of the Social Security offsets such as the windfall elimination provision and government pension offset. "Paraprofessionals who've worked in this district for over 30 years... retire with a pension of $250 a month," said Carolyn Samoa, a special education paraprofessional and vice president for paraprofessionals. Another speaker, Gail Kosrec, said she would face a $150 monthly benefit that would not cover medical premiums.
Union leaders and teachers pressed the board to negotiate remedies, sign a memorandum of understanding, allow current and future hires into Social Security, and quantify district liability. Roberto Michel, a union officer, described the PARS transition as an improper move in 1993 and called for the district to "make this right." The union noted that an MOU promised a committee report in 180 days after a 2006 agreement but said the issue remained unresolved more than four years later.
Superintendent Garcia responded that the district is "committed to moving people into Social Security" and acknowledged "a few minor sticking points" as staff and labor work to determine liabilities and implementation details. He and staff emphasized the need to negotiate corrective steps in a way that meets obligations to employees while managing financial impact.
What—s next: staff said they are working on audits and accounting adjustments and will continue discussions with labor partners; no formal board action or vote on the PARS matter was recorded at the Oct. 12 meeting.
