Announcement Details
Announcement Message
Posted originally on Sept. 15, 2024.
Dear SFUSD Community:
As you likely know, the San Francisco Unified School District is engaged in a process of planning for school closures and mergers for the 2025-26 school year. After extensive conversations with Board Leadership and staff, including those who have been working on the Resource Alignment Initiative for the last nine months, I have decided to delay the release of the recommendation from Sept. 18, as originally planned, until October. This delay is to ensure a thorough review of all aspects of the plan.
I know there’s a lot of anticipation and emotions around our recommendation and how SFUSD will support the affected communities, but it is essential that we carefully review everything before making the announcement. This includes ensuring that: 1) our fiscal analysis is strong and our transition plan and support systems are in place; 2) data from the equity audit is integrated into the recommendation; and 3) we meaningfully consult with city, school, and community leaders.
The process of closing and merging schools is complicated, and I want to make sure we’ve looked at it from every angle, including how after-school care, grant funding, and transportation will be affected. All of our schools are unique and have many connections throughout the community. When I share my recommendation to close or merge some of our schools, I want to be absolutely certain I have done everything I can to help students and families through this challenging time.
Simply put, we want to make sure we get this right.
Our process to develop a recommendation remains data-driven, equity-centered, and informed by extensive community input. We have been and will continue to be transparent about this process when my recommendation is shared. The rest of the timeline remains relatively consistent; the Board of Education will vote on the package of school closures in December, with changes taking effect in fall 2025.
The goal of closing schools is not to save money but to improve the experience for students and teachers. By aligning the number of schools we operate with our current enrollment, SFUSD can manage resources more effectively and ensure every school is fully enrolled and well-supported. While having fewer schools may reduce our operating costs, the primary focus is on creating better learning environments for all students, not budget cuts.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support of San Francisco’s public schools. Your input and feedback are invaluable as we navigate these changes. I am grateful to lead a district that encourages continuous learning – including for leaders like myself – and where we all can come together to take care of each other as we embrace changes and new beginnings.
In community,
Dr. Wayne