Parents, officials rally at Marina Middle to tackle $113 million SFUSD shortfall

More than 1,000 parents and teachers packed Marina Middle School for a town hall where city and state leaders outlined options to respond to a reported $113,000,000 budget shortfall that district officials say could produce hundreds of staff layoffs.

The meeting, organized by parents and moderated by KQED host Michael Krasny, brought Mayor Gavin Newsom, Superintendent Carlos Garcia, Board of Education President Jane Kim and state legislators to discuss short-term patches and longer-term revenue reforms. "We have to play offense," Newsom said, urging consideration of a partial parcel tax on the November ballot while warning that city resources are strained.

Organizers framed the evening as both a call for immediate relief and a launch of broader state-level advocacy. "We want to fund this gap," said organizer Crystal Brown, citing the $113 million figure and urging parents to build a "strong and powerful parent voice" across San Francisco schools. Panelists agreed mobilization and advocacy in Sacramento would be necessary to prevent deeper cuts.

Superintendent Carlos Garcia told the audience parents must…