Mayor Breed demands halt to SF school closures amid budget crisis

In the United States, Mayor London Breed of San Francisco has urged the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) to cease its plans for school closures aimed at addressing a significant budget deficit. This call to halt the process comes after the district proposed closing three schools and merging eight others, which has sparked confusion and concern among parents, students, and educators. Mayor Breed expressed her dissatisfaction with the management of the closure process by Superintendent Matt Wayne, stating that it has become a distraction from the urgent need to balance the budget to avoid a state takeover of the district. The mayor's letter, sent on October 15, 2024, follows the district's announcement of potential changes affecting 11 elementary schools and two high schools. Breed emphasized the importance of handling discussions around school closures with care and competence, which she believes has not been achieved in this instance. She acknowledged the challenges ahead for SFUSD as it navigates financial difficulties and the potential for state intervention. In response to the budget crisis, the city previously offered $8.4 million in unallocated funds and the expertise of a "School Stabilization Team" to assist the district. Despite her call to halt the current closure process, Breed recognized that difficult decisions would still need to be made in the future to ensure the district remains under local control and can provide quality education. The Board of Education is expected to receive final recommendations regarding closures and mergers at a meeting scheduled for November 12, 2024, highlighting the urgency of the situation as the district seeks to stabilize its finances.