SFUSD releases list of potential school closures, consolidations

SAN FRANCISCO - We've reported on what a rocky start to the school year it's been for San Francisco public schools. And as expected, San Francisco Unified School District on Tuesday released a list of schools considered for closure or consolidation. 

The school system, with declining enrollment, is trying to close a $100 million budget deficit by next school year after years of relying on reserves. The community knew the announcement was coming, but the release of the list has been delayed since Sept. 18. The district said it wanted to reach out to the school communities directly before making any recommendation to the Board of Education. 

The schools could close or merge by the end of the school year.

The district said in a news release that they would be meeting with 13 schools that meet their criteria for closing or merging. They plan to talk about how these schools' budgets will be impacted next year. District officials said that discussion would include talk about, "why a closure or merger could result in a better educational experience for students." 

For students impacted, the district said they have identified potential welcoming schools where the students would be assigned in the event of closures and consolidations. 

The district defines a closure as, "when a school no longer continues to operate." A merger is defined as when, "all of the students at a closing school are enrolled in one welcoming school and the two communities merge."

SFUSD said elementary and TK-8 schools that have fewer than 260 students and are in the lowest 50% of their composite scores that could close or merge include the following: 

• El Dorado Elementary
• Harvey Milk Civil Rights Elementary
• Jean Parker Elementary
• Malcolm X Academy
• Redding Elementary
• San Francisco Community Alternative
• San Francisco Public Montessori
• Spring Valley Elementary
• Sutro Elementary
• Visitacion Valley Elementary
• Yick Wo Elementary

The district said high schools with fewer than 400 students that are not alternative schools could also be impacted. They are as follows:

• June Jordan School for Equity
• The Academy - SF @McAteer

District officials said middle schools are not being considered for closure at this time because their facilities are at 90% capacity. 

There are three guidelines the district points to when considering their decision. They will merge schools where possible and aim to assign students to no more than two welcoming schools. The welcome schools are to be within a 10-minute driving distance from the closing school. The welcoming school can accommodate each student's language program and/or their special education service. 

The district said it consulted with a third-party to ensure that historically underserved students are not bearing the burden of school closures more than anyone else. 

The final recommendations for closures and mergers will go to the Board of Education on Nov. 12, the district said. The board is scheduled to vote on that list Dec. 10. 

Parents and the school community can look forward to further discussion on what is being characterized as a "difficult decision" at an Oct. 10 SFUSD budget town hall meeting. 

Many in the school system's community have been on edge and have participated in rallies over the pending developments. They have been clear in their demands to protect schools from closing and consolidating. Common signs at rallies have read, "Hands off our schools" and "We have a voice." 

Tuesday's school board meeting was no different. Parents we spoke with said they would fight to keep their children's school open. 

Earlier in the day, an after-school soccer game across the street from Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy in the Castro neighborhood took on a somber tone. Parents had received word their school was on the list of potential closures. 

Alexis Panzer, a parent of a student at the school said he was stunned. "We are under enrolled, so I wasn't terribly surprised in that regard. It's still a shock," Panzer said. 

Another parent said his 5-year-old just started kindergarten in August at Harvey Milk after being on a waiting list for a year. 

"Feeling a little whiplashed," said parent Jonathan Kircher. "So excited to be at this wonderful school. Now, a few weeks later, finding out that's going to change."

The closures and consolidations could also lead to 500 job cuts. 

Superintendent Matt Wayne spoke at the board meeting about the district's plan and the reasons behind it. He said difficult decisions have to be made to avoid a state takeover of the district. Wayne said he'll be visiting schools that may be impacted. 

Parents aired their grievances at the meeting. 

"It appears that you are biased against small schools. There are children in SF who need a small school. You are going to drive those kids out of San Francisco school district. This is a doom loop strategy," said parent Miles Locker. 

The mayor addressed the possible school closures at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting. 

"I know this is a very difficult time for families in our public schools. Families deserve clarity and transparency about the tough decisions ahead. What matters most is the school district makes the decision to maintain local control," Mayor London Breed said. 

Following the release of the list of schools, District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, who is running for mayor, said, "SFUSD still needs to address the glaring issues around special education funding, which are leaving our most vulnerable students without the legally required support and resources they need to thrive."

For the district's full news release, click here. 

KTVU is following this story. Check back for the latest updates. 

Timeline of Engagement Activities:

• Oct. 10: Budget Town Hall #1 5:30-6:30 pm - Virtual Meeting
• Oct. 14-Nov. 1: School site engagement (see below for which schools)
• Oct. 24: Budget Town Hall #2 - TBD
• Nov. 6: Budget Town Hall #3 - TBD
• Nov. 12: Regular BOE Meeting: Staff presentation of the proposed new school portfolio and recommendations for school closures, mergers, and co-locations
• Dec. 4: Additional engagement - To Be Determined
• Dec. 10: Regular Board Meeting: Board of Education action on school closures
• Dec. 12: Special Board Meeting: Adoption of 1st interim, including any additional budget balancing adjustments for current or future years.