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By Joe Edwards
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San Francisco public schools are set to be closed on Tuesday as a citywide teachers strike continues.
Why It Matters
According to news reports, the closures will affect about 50,000 students. The walkout marks the city's first teachers strike in almost 50 years, underscoring tensions over wages, health care costs and staffing as the school district faces state fiscal oversight and a budget deficit of $100 million, per the Associated Press.
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What To Know
San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) said on Monday that all schools would be closed to students on February 10, and that it would post updates and resources for families online.
The district reported delivering more than 2,655 independent study packets to community sites and programs as of Monday, with digital packets available at any time on its website and free printing offered at San Francisco's public libraries.
SFUSD offices, including 555 Franklin Street and 135 Van Ness Avenue, would also be closed to staff and the public on Tuesday, while the Enrollment Center remained available by phone and email during posted hours, the district announced.
All athletic activities would also be canceled and competitions would count as "no contest." All field trips will be canceled while school sites are closed, SFUSD said.
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NBC Bay Area reported that hundreds of educators walked off the job on Monday and onto picket lines as contract talks stalled. Union leaders said there had been little progress on their calls for higher pay, fully funded health care and measures to stabilize staffing levels, per the outlet.
As reported by the Associated Press, the union is seeking a 9 percent pay increase over two years. SFUSD rejected the proposal, countering with a 6 percent rise over three years.
What People Are Saying
San Francisco Unified School District said in a statement: "We understand the strain that school closures place on families, and we will continue to update our website regularly with up-to-date information and community resources. We are grateful for the support of so many partners around the city who have been working around the clock to provide food and other resources to our students and families."
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie wrote on X on Monday: "The educators and district are at the table right now. They are making progress, and I am encouraging them to stay at the table and get this deal done."
United Educators of San Francisco wrote on social media on Monday: "Public schools are the heartbeat of San Francisco, but right now, that heart is breaking. Every year we lose amazing educators to districts that offer actual competitive health care and salaries. Our students lose out when their teachers can't afford to stay. Today, we are rallying to win fully staffed, stable schools, fully funded health care, and manageable caseloads for Special Ed."
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