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San Francisco school board votes to issue March 15 layoff notices for 506 certificated staff amid $51 million shortfall
Summary
The San Francisco Board of Education voted 7–0 to direct staff to issue precautionary March 15 notices to 506 certificated positions — 362 instructional staff and 144 administrators — as the district faces roughly $51 million in reductions over 16 months; the board urged city officials to release more rainy‑day funds and scheduled layoff hearings in April.
The San Francisco Board of Education on Feb. 24 voted unanimously to direct staff to issue March 15 precautionary notices to certificated employees as part of a statutorily required layoff process.
Superintendent Garcia told the board the district faces reductions of about $51,000,000 over the next 16 months, including an immediate mid‑year gap of roughly $22,000,000 and a projected $29,000,000 shortfall for the 2009–10 school year. "Tonight, this evening, an item on the agenda is to send out layoff notices or, or pink slips to, you know, 506 people in our school district," he said during opening remarks, describing the scale of the action the board would consider.
Under the staff recommendation the March 15 notices would affect 362 instructional certificated positions and 144 administrators with expiring contracts; staff said the instructional total is driven largely by non‑permanent (probationary) teachers and that hard‑to‑fill areas such as math, science and special education were identified to be skipped in layoff calculations. Deputy Superintendent Myung Le told the board the notices are a statutory step required to preserve due process and allow further budget adjustments before any final May 15 notices are issued.
The district outlined a timeline for the process: staff would mail March 15 notices in early March, layoff hearings were scheduled for mid‑April and an administrative law judge decision would follow before any final action in May. Chief administrative staff said the district will consider attrition and any new revenue — including possible rainy‑day fund transfers from the city — before issuing final May 15 notices.
Union leaders and community speakers urged the board to push the city and state for more funding. Dennis Kelly, president of the United Educators of San Francisco, called the prospect "a particularly sad day" and asked the city to release rainy‑day funds to avert classroom reductions and said layoffs would jeopardize hundreds of classrooms.
Board members described the vote as a painful but legally required step under state budget and personnel rules. After discussion the board approved the resolution directing staff to issue precautionary notices; the roll call produced seven ayes and the motion passed.
Votes at a glance - Resolution directing staff to issue March 15 notices to up to 506 certificated employees (144 administrators, 362 instructional staff): approved, roll call 7 ayes. - Separate resolution establishing tie‑breaking seniority criteria (CLAD/CLAD‑enrollment points, lottery for remaining ties): approved, roll call 7 ayes. - Resolution supporting implementation of the McKinney‑Vento Homeless Assistance Act in SFUSD: approved (7 ayes) during the meeting earlier in the agenda.
What happens next Staff will mail March 15 notices as required by statute and hold administrative layoff hearings in April. The district said it will continue negotiations with the city controller’s office about rainy‑day fund distributions and will consider any new revenue or federal stimulus funds before making final decisions on May 15. The board asked staff to return with updates as the budget and funding picture evolves.
