Students urge San Francisco school board to retain support teachers amid layoffs

During a recent school board meeting, students from Doctor William L. Cobb Elementary School voiced their concerns about the potential loss of beloved support teachers. Emma, a fourth grader, passionately urged the board to reconsider their decision, emphasizing the vital role these educators play in assisting students with reading, writing, vocabulary, and math. "Please let us keep all our teachers," she implored, highlighting the kindness and dedication of the staff.

Zia Marie Langton, another student, raised two significant issues affecting their school community. The first was the impending loss of support staff due to a shift from a tier 3 to a tier 2 classification, which she argued was unjust. She expressed frustration over the district's decision to penalize students based on their parents' choices regarding race, stating, "If our parents choose to decline to stay when asked about race, that is their right."

Zia also addressed the complexities surrounding job security for teachers of color. She questioned the logic behind laying off existing staff while the district seeks to recruit more black teachers, urging the board to find alternative funding sources rather than cutting jobs in struggling schools. "This is a very bad decision," she stated, echoing sentiments shared by her peers.

The students' heartfelt appeals underscore the importance of support staff in their educational experience and highlight broader issues of equity and funding within the school district. As the board considers these concerns, the community awaits a response that prioritizes the needs of students and educators alike.