Moving Forward Together

Dear SFUSD Community:

I want to begin by expressing my deep appreciation for our students, educators, families, and staff during this important moment for the San Francisco Unified School District. 

I am writing to provide you with additional information about the Tentative Agreement with United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) and share my responses to questions and concerns I have heard from families, students, and staff this past week.

Nearly two weeks ago, we reached a two-year (Fiscal Years 25-26 & 26-27) Tentative Agreement with UESF, which represents thousands of district employees including teachers, paraeducators, nurses, social workers, counselors, and others. This agreement honors our educators and their contributions, and aims to make San Francisco more affordable for educators and their families.

The neutral fact-finding report issued in January indicated that UESF requested a package proposal that would have cost $163 million annually, which was beyond our reach. Through thoughtful, good-faith conversations, we reached a fair compromise that keeps our fiscal recovery in mind and will cost an estimated $31.8 million this year, $63 million next year, and $88 million in the 27-28 school year. This represents meaningful progress while managing our long-term commitment to stability.

One especially important milestone is that SFUSD – for the first time in our district’s history – will now offer fully funded dependent healthcare. This is an important tool for us to attract and retain talented educators, and support them not just as professionals, but as parents and caregivers. We know that students having consistent teachers is key to their success.

At the same time, I want our community to know that we take our fiscal responsibilities seriously. We are developing a clear plan to demonstrate long-term sustainability, which will be discussed at the March 10, 2026 Board of Education meeting. We identified a creative approach — using one-time funds strategically, fully funding family healthcare with parcel tax revenue, and carefully leveraging reserves — while remaining fiscally prudent and focused on long-term stability.

SFUSD is not alone in facing financial uncertainty—districts across the Bay Area and California are confronting similar pressures. Superintendents statewide have joined together to advocate for increased public school funding, formally urging state leaders to address structural funding gaps. Our focus remains on protecting student learning and ensuring long-term stability and sustainability for California’s public schools.

I know that the strike created uncertainty and concern for families and staff. Below, please find a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to provide clarity. I want to assure you that SFUSD staff are actively working with the California Department of Education, our Board of Education, and other labor partners to address your concerns.

Our shared goal has always been to support students by supporting the adults who care for them. This agreement represents compromise, collaboration, and care for the entire SFUSD community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Maria Su

SFUSD Superintendent

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the process to make up missed instructional days? 

SFUSD is actively working with the California Department of Education (CDE) to seek guidance on how to make up missed instructional days. Per our collective bargaining agreement, the district must then work with our labor partners to finalize changes to the academic calendar. Lastly, the new academic calendar(s) must be ratified by the Board of Education.

If so, what dates will be added, and how will families be notified? Will there be any changes to the start date for the next school year?

Currently, there are no changes to the 2025-2026 academic calendar and graduation dates. We will provide additional updates via districtwide channels and work with site leaders to inform families if this changes.

What is the district’s plan to ensure students receive all Special Education services that were missed during the strike period?

Make-up services will be offered based on students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and families will be provided with options on how they would like to access make-up services. The Special Education team will be reaching out to families to share this information. 

Does the district plan to issue Prior Written Notices (PWN) offering compensatory services directly to families, allowing services to begin without requiring a full IEP team meeting?

The Special Education Department is proactively sending a letter to the families of all Special Education students, offering them options to make up for missed services. This letter will be in place of a Prior Written Notice.