This excerpt expresses deep concern over the impact of budget cuts and a new staffing model on special education in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). The author raises critical questions about how the district can fulfill its legal and ethical obligations to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) while facing significant staff shortages and reductions in support services. The piece highlights the impossibility of meeting LCAP priorities (improving literacy and math interventions, increasing graduation rates, addressing chronic absenteeism, and providing social-emotional support) without adequate staffing. The author emphasizes the unsustainable workload placed on educators and the potential for further staff attrition, ultimately questioning how the district can maintain quality education under these conditions. The central plea is for community engagement and a transparent decision-making process that prioritizes student well-being.
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