It is illegal to discriminate against those of a senior age. Yet San Fran, which loves everyone, apparently hate seasoned teachers. The school district does not want the most qualified teachers—they prefer inexperienced hence cheap teachers in the classroom.
“Now that San Francisco’s public school district has halted its controversial school closure plan, older teachers and staffers are on the chopping block.
Maria Su, the superintendent appointed in October to stabilize the San Francisco Unified School District amid a financial crisis, is targeting $113 million in cuts. Her primary strategy is a buyout plan for senior employees.
“The district will continue to be proactive and vigilant in managing its fiscal resources,” said Su in a budget document, “while ensuring that our schools, teachers, staff, and students have the resources they need to maintain the excellent educational program.”
The California Department of Education this year downgraded the district’s financial situation to “negative,” forcing local leadership to consider drastic cuts. Without intervention, the deficit could reach $215 million in the next school year, according to district projections.”
SF school district nudges older teachers out to save $113M
By Han Li, SF Standard, 12/9/24 https://sfstandard.com/2024/12/09/sfusd-teacher-buyout/
Now that San Francisco’s public school district has halted its controversial school closure plan, older teachers and staffers are on the chopping block.
Maria Su, the superintendent appointed in October to stabilize the San Francisco Unified School District amid a financial crisis, is targeting $113 million in cuts. Her primary strategy is a buyout plan for senior employees.
“The district will continue to be proactive and vigilant in managing its fiscal resources,” said Su in a budget document, “while ensuring that our schools, teachers, staff, and students have the resources they need to maintain the excellent educational program.”
The California Department of Education this year downgraded the district’s financial situation to “negative,” forcing local leadership to consider drastic cuts. Without intervention, the deficit could reach $215 million in the next school year, according to district projections.
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Su on Tuesday will present to the Board of Education the “Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan,” which offers a financial incentive for early retirement to eligible teachers, administrators, and classified employees. Staff members who are at least 55 years old and have served the district for five years can receive a one-time incentive of 60% of their annual salary if they retire by June 30. Employees must submit retirement packages by February.
The potential savings are uncertain. Previously, the district estimated it needed to eliminate 500 employees to improve its fiscal outlook. The district has about 8,600 employees, including central office staff, teachers, and other administrative roles. The district said it reserves the right to withdraw the plan if it fails to meet operational and financial objectives.
The district sees the staffing reduction as unavoidable because of declining enrollment. There are currently about 49,000 students, 10,000 fewer than a decade ago. Schools across California face similar challenges, as slower birth rates and reduced student populations result in cuts in state funding.
The voluntary retirement plan represents a potentially softer approach to cutting staff. The possibility for layoffs and school closures could resurface if the retirement incentive proves ineffective.
Previously, the district had considered closing 13 schools but abandoned those plans following community pushback.
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The district criticized past labor negotiations, suggesting that the prior administration was overly generous with employee compensation.
“In July 2023, negotiations with SFSUD’s three largest labor partners went differently than what was originally anticipated,” the district wrote in the document. “All three labor groups avoided a strike, and in turn, SFUSD agreed to unprecedented ongoing salary increases.”
United Educators of San Francisco, the teachers union, has mobilized members to attend Tuesday’s meeting and expressed concerns about the retirement plan and unfilled job vacancies.
Patrick Wolff, vice chair of the SFUSD Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, which oversees the spending of public school bonds, said the district must reduce spending in the short term and improve the quality of education in the long term.
“Superintendent Su has to explain both why the short-term pain is necessary and how the long-term gain is achievable,” Wolff said. “This fiscal stabilization plan is a good first step down that path.”
