SFUSD central office layoffs would actually eliminate on-site school workers

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) plans to eliminate 205 central office positions to address a $113 million budget deficit, reducing central office expenditures from 25 percent to 16 percent of the total budget. Many of the roles targeted for elimination are essential staff members at schools, including a nurse and a special education teacher at John O’Connell High School, which serves a low-income student body. Although the district guarantees no layoffs for teachers, the cuts will significantly impact student services and career readiness programs. O’Connell’s only career technical education coordinator, a key figure for connecting students with job opportunities, will also be cut, potentially limiting students' work experiences. The district previously reversed layoffs for other staff members but has not clarified how these cuts will affect direct student services.

This year's summer employment program is expected to serve only 200 students, a drastic decrease from 2,000 last year. O’Connell's special education classes will also be affected, with projected increases in class sizes exceeding 30 percent due to the teacher cut. School staff argue that these roles are integral to the educational community, not merely administrative positions.