Announcement Details
Announcement Message
Dear SFUSD Community:
During my two and a half years as superintendent of SFUSD, I have visited each and every one of our 100+ schools, talking to families, teachers, students, and our school leaders. I have seen incredible joy in our school communities, as well as heard deep frustration with stagnating low reading and math proficiency scores, a deteriorating budget, and unacceptable operational challenges. It is my responsibility to ensure that SFUSD can be the best possible school district for each and every one of our 49,000 students. Without having the courage to make deep changes and difficult decisions, we cannot expect to meaningfully improve student outcomes.
Last week, my team announced which schools meet the criteria for closure or merger, ensuring that our efforts to improve literacy and math instruction remain on track while we continue to address our structural deficit and resolve operational issues.
It is undoubtedly difficult for our school communities to face these potential changes. Over the next two weeks, I will spend time with the students, families, and staff of each of the 13 schools that meet the criteria for closure or merger, listening to their questions and concerns. I know there is nothing that will make those conversations easier. At the same time, I must ensure that the district continues to improve educational outcomes for all 49,000 students entrusted in our care.
With severe budget cuts imminent, continuing with the status quo in SFUSD is unacceptable and not sustainable. We must keep the best interests of all of those we represent at heart, particularly our students. Since I joined SFUSD, my team has consulted experts, implemented best practices, and deeply examined the mounting challenges within SFUSD that have been the result of more than a decade of status quo decisions. As the educational leader of San Francisco, I have put forth my initial best thinking to address these challenges, informed by other school districts from around the country, as well as from extensive community input. I look forward to being with our students, families, and staff in these coming days to again hear directly from them.
In this pivotal moment, we must act with both courage and compassion, knowing that our decisions today will shape the future of our students and the communities we serve.
In community,
Dr. Wayne