Board approves Lunar New Year as district holiday, adds cost-neutral language

The San Francisco Unified School District board voted Dec. 7 to recognize Lunar New Year as a district holiday beginning with the 2007–08 school year, with staff directed to implement the observance in a way that minimizes additional cost to the district.

Commissioner Wins summarized committee review and a fiscal analysis by district staff that estimated the incremental cost in select years when the Lunar New Year falls on a weekend would be about $207,000 (largely for classified staff salary/benefit adjustments). Dennis Kelly, president of United Educators of San Francisco, urged the board to identify funding sources before adopting the policy: "Please identify the source of the funds that's going to be used for these days when they become necessary," he said, warning against unintended personnel impacts.

To address that concern, Commissioners amended the resolution to direct staff to negotiate with bargaining units to "accomplish this goal without additional cost to the district." Commissioners agreed the amendment expressed the intent to pursue a cost-neutral implementation; the amendment passed by roll call and the amended resolution passed by roll call (all members recorded in favor).

Why it matters: The change adds a holiday that reflects the city—s large Asian American population and the cultural calendar of many families, while making the district—s commitment contingent on labor negotiations and fiscal neutrality. The board memorialized the negotiation instruction in the final language it adopted.

Next steps: Staff will begin implementation steps and bargaining negotiations; the board asked staff to return with details of negotiated calendar or proposed funding sources if needed.