08/11/2023
Last night the Board heard the first reading of the Re-alignment of District Schools and Facilities resolution. It's part of the hard work of the Re-imaging Steering Committee, which grew out of a difficult conversation a few years ago about one of the most contentious issues to face a school district: closing schools.
The truth is that birth rates are declining, charters are increasing, and our schools are feeling the realities of those factors.
As much as we hope with all hope that we won't face the decision to close or consolidate schools, it may come to that point. And if it does, it must come to that point with full community engagement and an exit strategy that takes families into account.
Last night, I said that if we must close or consolidate schools, we must do so with a robust communications strategy that helps parents understand that there are myriad amazing schools in our district, in all parts of the city. When I listened to the conversation a few years ago at the meeting where closing schools was concerned, I heard a number of parents saying they would just pull their children from SFPS and send them to private schools because their school was the only school that met muster. And it's simply not true! There are incredible schools, probably right next door to you. That doesn't mean there isn't incredible pain involved in closing a school and finding your community changing, but it does mean that leaving SFPS isn't the only option.
I've attached the policy here, and I'm interested to know your thoughts before we consider the second reading of the policy. Is this the process you hope a Board would consider before closing or consolidating a school? Are there other options? How do you think the Board should approach this very difficult issue?
