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Parents say Mission Education Center TK classes lack permanent teachers and principals
Summary
Multiple Mission Education Center parents told the board that TK classrooms remain unstaffed months into the school year, leading to rotating substitutes, safety concerns, and requests for immediate district action and transparency.
At the board's public comment period, a string of Mission Education Center (MEC) parents described unfilled TK teaching positions and a lack of a permanent principal, saying classrooms of 3-to-5-year-olds are staffed by rotating substitutes and that the district has not provided consistent updates.
"The district made the intentional decision to triple the number of TK classrooms at MEC without securing principals, teachers, or aids to staff them," said Jeremiah Mayfield, a MEC parent, who asked the board for urgent action to secure credentialed staff.
Other parents echoed safety concerns. "Our kids are facing increased behavior issues, and there have even been incidents of children leaving the classroom unnoticed," Caroline Cochran said, describing having removed her own child because of safety worries.
Superintendent Maria Hsu acknowledged the staffing problems and offered an on-site meeting opportunity with an associate superintendent for families seeking updates. Associate Superintendent Amy Bair described credentialing requirements for TK (multiple-subject credential plus early education units) and said the district had identified candidates for some vacancies and was working with City College and San Francisco State to create pipelines to fill the roles.
Board members asked for strategic plans to address long-standing shortages and for clearer timelines; staff said they will provide follow-up information to affected parents and report back on hiring progress.
