Ida Mojadad April 7, 2025
Excerpt Written by PPS-SF
Description teSan Francisco families have long hoped for an improved school assignment system that would give kindergartners a better chance at attending their neighborhood public schools. However, the rollout of a new assignment system approved by the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) in 2020 has encountered further delays. Initially set for the 2026-27 school year, there is now no specific target date for implementation due to ongoing issues, including the pandemic and failed school closure plans.
Superintendent Maria Su noted, "Right now, we are not working on that," indicating that more time is needed to solidify the assignment zones that will dictate school placements for families. The new system aims to enhance predictability, offer options closer to home, and tackle racial segregation by dividing the city into six or seven zones.
In the meantime, families continue to utilize a lottery system that many find unhelpful. The district is also facing a significant budget crisis, needing to cut $113 million, nearly 10% of its budget, and resolve issues with a malfunctioning payroll and HR system that has troubled teachers and staff.
Despite the shift away from immediate school closures, the potential for future closures looms, especially as board members emphasize the need to address the district's surplus of school buildings relative to student enrollment. SFUSD has engaged researchers from Stanford University to assist in creating new assignment zones, but adjustments may be necessary based on future school closure decisions.
Vanessa Marrero, executive director of Parents for Public Schools San Francisco, speculated that the district might be waiting for more clarity on school closures before finalizing the assignment zones.
