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SFUSD outlines plan to target 10 low-performing schools, will apply for federal grants
Summary
Deputy Superintendent Richard Carranza and staff briefed the board on a superintendent's zone and applications for federal funds (I3, SIG, Race to the Top, Promised Neighborhoods) to support 10 persistently low-performing schools, describing proposed models, timelines, and community engagement steps.
Deputy Superintendent Richard Carranza and district staff presented a multi-part strategy on May 25 to support the district—s 10 persistently low-performing schools by grouping them into a superintendent—s zone and pursuing several federal grant programs.
Chris Armentrout, director of development and local government relations, outlined competitive grant work including the Investing in Innovation (I3) fund (with a focus on early literacy and partnerships), the Magnet Schools Assistance program, and Race to the Top Round 2 participation. He said the district is targeting programs aligned with the district—s Beyond the Talk strategic plan.
Staff described School Improvement Grants (SIG) as a competitive source that could provide up to $2 million per eligible school per year for three years, with four federal models available: turnaround, restart/closure, transformation and restart. The district said it would name all 10 eligible schools in its state application to increase priority but would phase implementation rather than immediately carrying out the most disruptive elements (for example the district stated it would not enact a wholesale 50% staff replacement called for under a strict turnaround model at once).
District leaders said they had consulted with school communities and labor partners but acknowledged time pressures in the grant timeline; they pledged further community meetings, memoranda of understanding with partners, and additional vetting of model choices. Board members asked specific questions about pre-K alignment, English-language-development (ELD) safeguards for bilingual pathways, RTI (Response to Intervention) implementation, community engagement cadence, and the role of natural attrition and bumping in staffing changes.
Staff answered that RTI and ELD support are embedded in plans, that a mix of transformational and turnaround models had been recommended (five transformation schools, one restart/reopen model, four turnaround-designated schools where significant staff change would be minimized), and that a final set of recommendations and MOUs would be provided as the grant submission deadline approached.
The district said it must submit the SIG application within days of the meeting and stressed that grant funds would supplement, but not replace, ongoing district reform work.
