As the potential for a district-wide teachers’ strike looms, the San Francisco Unified School District has granted Superintendent Maria Su emergency powers to address the situation. This decision, made during a special school board meeting on Tuesday night, enables Su to take necessary operational actions if teachers decide to walk out as early as Monday.
The emergency resolution, approved by a narrow 4-3 vote, allows the superintendent to hire security and coordinate transportation, food, and emergency services. Su indicated that volunteer support would also play a role in maintaining operations during any strike. However, a last-minute modification to the resolution prohibits Su from hiring substitute teachers on a day-to-day basis; any substitutes must already have existing contracts.
If conditions do not allow for the essential staffing needed to run schools, the resolution empowers Su to close schools indefinitely. Matt Alexander, Alida Fisher, and student delegate Shoon Mon opposed the measure, expressing concerns about its implications for teachers and students.
The potential strike poses significant financial repercussions for the district, with estimates suggesting a loss of $7 million to $10 million per day due to decreased attendance-linked funding. Security personnel, substitute teachers, and other staff who choose to continue working during a strike would be required to cross picket lines established by the teachers’ union.
In the event that a strike occurs, the principals’ union, representing approximately 297 administrators, will vote on whether to conduct a sympathy strike alongside teachers, further complicating the district’s ability to keep schools operational.
Negotiations between the district and the teachers’ union have stalled, and a fact-finding report from a neutral third party is expected to be released soon. This report may provide recommendations but will not be binding, allowing teachers to strike within 48 hours after its publication.
In a press conference preceding the board meeting, Su described discussions with the union as productive, stating that they are “really close” to reaching an agreement. The district had offered a “stability package” that includes a 6 percent raise over three years, along with fully paid family health benefits. However, the union has disputed this claim, asserting in a video that no such offer was formally presented.
The possibility of a strike would mark the first teacher walkout in San Francisco since 1979, when educators engaged in a six-week strike. Su emphasized her commitment to ensuring the welfare and safety of students and staff, stating, “I will do everything I can to make sure we come back to the table.”
As both sides navigate this critical juncture, the outcome of ongoing negotiations will determine the future of San Francisco’s educational landscape. The urgency for resolution has never been greater, as the community braces for the implications of a potential strike.
