Board halts decision on paraprofessional layoff notices after heated public outcry; special meeting set

The San Francisco Board of Education on April 22 postponed action on proposed layoff notices for paraeducators after a marathon public comment period and extensive questions from board members about legal timelines and funding assumptions. The board voted to reconvene in a special meeting on April 24 to allow staff to provide further details and explore alternatives before the statutory notice deadline.

District HR presented an amended staff recommendation to issue layoff notices under Education Code requirements for classified staff, explaining the statutory 45‑day notice window and providing updated counts. HR said the amended proposal reduced earlier projections after an internal $6 million adjustment to school site budgets; staff reported that the proposal would result in notices affecting 69 paraprofessionals outright and additional hour reductions impacting others, aggregating to roughly 45 FTEs (estimated annual savings about $2.4 million including benefits). HR outlined recall rights (39‑month recall list) and the process for consolidated paraprofessionals to select openings.

More than two dozen speakers — paraprofessionals, teachers, parents and union representatives — described classroom impacts, bilingual and special‑education supports that paraeducators provide, and personal hardships that pink slips would cause. Union and staff representatives described frightening on‑the‑job incidents to show the broader safety and support role paraprofessionals play.

Board members pressed staff for specifics on categorical funding, the district’s assumptions about receiving rainy‑day reserve or Prop H monies, and the legal mechanics for issuing and rescinding notices. Legal counsel and administrative staff explained that classified layoff notices must be mailed within the statutory window (the transcript records April 29 as a legal cutoff) and that notices can be rescinded by board action during the 45‑day period if funding is secured.

Given unresolved questions about categorical cuts (staff estimated roughly $11 million in categorical reductions districtwide), the $6 million internal restoration and the short window for certified mailing, the board voted — by roll call — to postpone issuance and reconvene for a special meeting on April 24 to consider alternatives and allow additional staff analysis. Several board members urged continuing to seek other internal and external funding options before finalizing notices.