Standing Up for SFUSD: Key Issues for the 2026–27 School Year

Graphic featuring Parents for Public Schools logos alongside a quote from Noah S., Regional Director of San Francisco, reading: "Lack of transparency leads to lack of trust. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco cannot endorse candidates, but we will be paying close attention to candidates' positions on the issues that matter most to us."

Over the past school year we have heard from parents and members of the community about issues that are affecting them and their children. There have been some new developments over summer break as well. 

This November there will be an election to fill three seats on the SF Board of Education. As a 501c(3) nonprofit, Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco cannot endorse candidates. We will be paying close attention to candidates’ positions on the issues. 

These are some of the school district issues we will be watching in the upcoming school year:  

• School closure plans, including stealth closures

• Decisions about closures (also called “the portfolio”) are scheduled to happen after school assignment decisions, but they are closely related and one decision will influence the other.  

• Last year Superintendent Su closed two school sites: The Academy at Macateer and the Mission Education Center. This was done without approval from the School Board. Will there be more of these “stealth closures” this year? 

• Changes to the school assignment process

• Will the new process make it easier for families – especially ones whose first language isn’t English – to enroll a child with special needs into a school that has the programs they need? 

• Will parents be able to select schools with programs like language pathways even if they are not located in the area where they live? 

• How will the new process address the current inequitable distribution of resources between schools? 

• Some parents have said they don’t like the uncertainty of not knowing what school their children will enroll in. Will they be happy knowing for certain that their child will be at a school that has fewer resources than other schools? 

• Ethnic studies 

• PPSSF has spoken out in support of this incredibly valuable program that is proven to improve student outcomes. We celebrate the fact that this program originated in San Francisco in the 1960’s as a result of minority students’ struggle. 

• Earlier this year a group called Friends of Lowell filed a lawsuit against SFUSD demanding they stop making Ethnic Studies a required year-long class and that they change the curriculum. 

• Newcomer programs

• We heard students speak eloquently at School Board meetings about how these programs are essential and have been a key to their academic success. But it seems like the District is cutting or eliminating Newcomer Programs. 

• Systemic violence towards schools with students from marginalized communities

• PPSSF worked closely with parents and staff at Charles R. Drew elementary in the Bayview to try to address the firing of their Principal Vidrale Franklin. 

• We will work to identify and prevent this pattern of behavior from the District.

• Budget surpluses and reserves 

• One of the issues that led to last year’s strike was the District’s insistence that surpluses and reserves could not be spent on the teachers’ demands like pay raises. Eventually the District gave in. Will the policy of hoarding surpluses and reserves continue? 

• Overall budget transparency

• Lack of transparency leads to lack of trust. PPSSF will continue to advocate for increased transparency. In the meantime we will continue to present budget issues in a way that is clear and easy to understand.