Challenges faced by SFUSD are the Consequences of Prop.13
SFUSD faces many challenges going into the new school year. Teacher shortages, fiscal troubles, and declining enrollment seem to be at the top of the list due to schools that are half-empty and have 630 staff vacancies to fill. Money is starting to run low as they cut into COVID relief funds to pay for the increasing district costs. School closures and merges are in discussion as enrollment continues to decline, which is cutting state funding. This is seen as a last resort if they cannot fill seats and job positions. SFUSD is struggling to fill these positions because unions are negotiating contracts with better wages.
The challenges SFUSD faces seem to be circular, one causing the other and starting all over again. This is not really the case. Yes, it is difficult to fill positions when unions are demanding better wages and the district doesn’t seem to have enough money to keep schools open right now. It is also difficult to keep schools open when there aren’t rough students, staff, and educators. It seems like a problem with no solution, but in fact, there is one. Instead of the state cutting funding for the schools, we need to increase them. More funding will allow SFUSD to pay their staff and put back into the school, so parents will want to send their kids. This additional funding can come from ending Prop. 13 and taxing large corporations, which will ease local taxes.
Photo Credit: Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle
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