#BoardWatch Summer 2024
A person sitting on the beach with a computer. Side text Public Comment from anywhere. Governmental Code section 54954.3(a) states that, at every regular and special meeting, a legislative body “shall provide an opportunity for the members of the public to directly address the legislative body on any item of interest to the public...that is with the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body.”
What SFUSD happenings did you miss during summer vacation?
While some families, teachers, school and district staff enjoyed some much-needed time to relax and reconnect with their loved ones, your team of experts at Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco attended the San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education meetings. As is the case at every district meeting, your friends at Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco were there to represent the voices of all who cannot be there due to a variety of reasons. We lift the cares of the residents of San Francisco during the time in the meetings for public comments then we provide the necessary information you and so many others may need to stay informed by posting on all our social media platforms in our #BoardWatch program. There were many pertinent topics discussed at these meetings. It was unfortunate that the SFUSD Board discussed topics like school closures regarding the results of last spring's Resource Alignment Initiative surveys and community conversations given that it was Summer Break for students. At another meeting, there was discussion of district salary reductions and eliminating positions at some schools. It was concerning that the Board President and Superintendent did not have these immensely crucial discussions at these Board of Education meetings earlier in the Spring. Why would they wait until the summer when all the commissioners were not in attendance and so many people who may have attended in person or remotely would Be busy with other plans during the summer?
Aside from such important topics being discussed during these summer meetings, there were also some alarming technical issues and behaviors of the Board Commissioners which we addressed in our public comments in order to ensure that the Commissioners and the Superintendent know that we are watching on behalf of our online community of 30,000 people, including you.
In July, the meeting calendar on the district website did not list when the meeting would begin. Then in August, the link to watch the meeting on Zoom was not made easily available. At both the July and August meetings, there were some people attending the meeting in person representing their school who received staff cuts at their school. When their names were called to give a public comment, they would be interrupted by a commissioner and told to go out of the meeting and into the lobby where a staff member would meet with them. How can this district prioritize inclusion, i.e. Inclusive Schools week held annually in October, when they are literally telling people who took time out of their busy lives to come all the way to downtown San Francisco during rush hour, to leave the meeting?
All these important topics and lack of public prioritizing have shown how important our collective work is for bridging equitable access in our public schools!
Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco shows up, stands up and speaks up for equity, ease of access and inclusion for all students, families, teachers, and school staff. Please join us as this new school year begins to make your voices heard and to be seen and recognized by the authorities in the SFUSD District offices.
You can join in by attending the Board of Education meetings in person with us at the District headquarters (555 Franklin St.), or attend remotely through their call-in service, joining the Zoom meeting, watching the meeting live on sfgate.gov or follow along on our social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) under our #BoardWatch live posting.
The next School Board Meeting is on August 27th, when the Resource Alignment Initiative - Update on the Process for a New School Portfolio for the 2025-26 School Year and Student Assignment Tiebreaker for the 2025-26 for Families at Potentially Closing Schools (Action) and here
We encourage you to participate and share a public comment with the Board, and we will be with you every step of the way.
By Erin