SFUSD paraeducators missing summer pay ahead of new school year, union says

Paraeducators in the San Francisco Unified School District are facing significant delays in receiving approximately $1,200 in summer pay, causing financial strain as the new school year begins. Union representative Teanna Tillery reported that dozens of paraeducators, including teacher's aides, are struggling, with some receiving 30-day notices for unpaid rent. SFUSD attributed the payroll issues to a transition to a new employee resource system, which has changed how vacation hours are accounted for specific employees. The district emphasized its commitment to resolving discrepancies quickly and has set up support systems for affected staff. Margaret Kothmann, a special education aide, voiced her disappointment, stressing the essential role of timely pay for everyday expenses.

SFUSD spent $20 million to implement the new system, which was launched in July, after previously investing $35 million in outdated systems. Tillery criticized the financial resources allocated to the transition, suggesting they could have been better spent on students and educators. The union notified ABC7 News that checks have been processed, and paraeducators should soon see their much-needed payments.