Navigating the SFUSD Staffing Crisis: Questions for a Sustainable Future
Glass pot filled with pennies and a leaf sprouting from the middle with the headline questions for a sustainable future
When I was first approached to write something about the special education staffing crisis and how the budgeting decisions can and have impacted IEP services, my mind came up with many different topics. For instance, the updated staffing model and how these decisions might further impact our families and educators, or the LCAP and how it seems impossible to implement our priorities and address student outcomes, without the necessary staff and resources.
My brain went in so many different directions…
Where do I begin? What do I focus on first? What is the solution to so many unknowns ?
So, I thought I would start by simply asking questions that I would love the answer to.
First, in regards to the new staffing model, how can we realistically expect to improve student outcomes and support the “ whole child “ without support staff?
We have heard assurances from our state advisors that we can, So my question is how? How can we pull this off?
Image from SFUSD Board of Education Meeting held on January 28, 2025, under “Item F. DISCUSSION Staff Model”
How can we implement an LCAP priority which specifically says that we need to improve tier 2 and 3 interventions for literacy and math without academic instructional facilitators or other support staff?
How can we realistically implement another LCAP priority that addresses graduation rates and college/career preparation without the support of high school counselors?
How can we realistically address chronic absenteeism or provide social emotional or mental health support without a social worker?
How can we work with families to connect them with our incredible school teams and community partners, when family liaisons no longer exist?
How can we realistically expect one teacher to support so many students at various different levels and needs without support staff?
How can we realistically expect to fulfill IEP services and support our most vulnerable and marginalized students, when our educators do not have the professional support they need?
How can we stabilize the staffing shortages and realistically recruit new special education hires when at the same time we are discussing cutting another 300-500 positions from our schools?
And how in the world can we expect our educators to stay employed with our school district (SFUSD) if we continue to increase their caseload and their responsibilities to untrainable levels?
Please help me understand?
I recognize that we must address our budgeting deficits and I am and will always be a realist.
But, I also recognize that despite the real need to address our deficit; we also have an obligation under law to provide a free and appropriate education (FAPE). We have an obligation to fulfill IEP services so that students can meet their IEP goals and access their education. We have an obligation to use a portion of our LCAP funding specifically for low income, multilingual learners, homeless and foster care youth. We have an obligation to ensure that we are not in violation again of disproportionately over identifying African American students in Special Education. We have an obligation to address chronic absenteeism rates and college career readiness and our literacy and math proficiency rates. We have an obligation to diligently recruit new hires to remedy the current Special Education staffing vacancies and support our educators and staff so we do not lose any more qualified staff. And we have an obligation to provide a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students and educators.
So, my question is how?
And my request, my ask is, as this process unfolds and decisions are made; we always engage our communities every step of the way.
And we always keep these questions in mind:
How will these decisions impact our students' education and wellbeing ?
How will these decisions impact our educators and staff ability to support our students?
And we must always consider our North Star, which is providing a quality education in a safe and supportive learning environment.
This is our mandate and we must remember that every single day.
Havah Kelley
Reference:
1.28.25 - Staffing Model Update - Board of Education https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/sfusd/Board.nsf/files/DD8VZV833957/$file/1.28.25%20-%20Staffing%20Model%20Update%20-%20Board%20of%20Education.pdf