Parents, students and teachers urge SF school board to reverse staffing cuts; emotional pleas to save longtime student adviser

Hundreds of community members packed the boardroom and dozens more spoke virtually at the San Francisco Board of Education meeting to press the board not to eliminate or reduce key school staff positions being targeted in the district's budget adjustments.

Students from Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy described the removal of a long‑time student adviser — repeatedly identified in testimony as "Coach Glenn" — as potentially devastating. "Please don't take him from our school," said Rosie Townsend, a Harvey Milk student, who described Coach Glenn as someone who provides safety, mentorship and daily support.

Teachers and staff echoed students' pleas. Fourth‑grade teacher Perry Senard said the district's own "guardrails" demand meaningful engagement before major changes and that BVHM families and staff had not been adequately consulted: "Meaningful consultation at Buena Vista has meant mixed messaging, poorly planned meetings, and a lack of appropriate translation," he said.

Bessie Carmichael Filipino Education Center leaders, parents and social workers asked the board to retain two social worker positions at that two‑campus site, saying one counselor cannot safely cover both campuses. "Having one social worker for both campuses is impossible," said Gerard Balin Gassa, a former student. Social workers described high trauma, homelessness and suicidal ideation among students and warned that losing staff would disrupt essential supports.

Multiple community speakers invoked equity concerns, noting that larger or better‑resourced schools could absorb cuts more easily while smaller K–8 schools and Title I campuses would be disproportionately harmed. "Cutting this position makes our schools less safe, less inclusive, and less able to serve the most marginalized in our community," a parent from Harvey Milk said.

District leaders acknowledged the emotional testimony and said staff would follow up with written responses and opportunities to engage through school site councils, the LCAP process and other outreach. The superintendent noted that site staffing and budget guides are intended to align resources to student needs, and that schools will have some ability to prioritize allocations; he also scheduled a May study session to review the budget and site plans.

Next steps: Board staff said school sites are finalizing budgets and may submit inquiries if allocations raise concerns. The district will continue a budget development process through April and will return to the board for additional discussion and a study session in May.