Board adopts 2022–23 recommended budget after debate; JROTC restoration discussed

After extended public comment and an internal debate about instructional spending, the San Francisco Board of Education adopted the superintendent’s recommended fiscal year 2022–23 budget on June 28. The roll-call vote recorded six yes votes and one no (Commissioner Alexander cast the lone No), reflecting unresolved concerns about the budget’s projected share of direct classroom spending.

Commissioner Alexander and others pressed staff on a decline in the percentage of the district budget devoted to classroom instruction (exhibit references in the budget materials showed a projected fall from roughly 55% to 51%). The board approved the budget with acknowledgement from staff that the document and state budget conditions would be revisited in August and that staff would present options for aligning investments with board priorities.

During budget discussion, staff briefed the board on a U.S. Army offer to fund instructor salaries for JROTC programs. Staff said the army’s proposal would cover full instructor salaries but not benefits; under the district’s current school-level funding model, the district would still face a net cost estimated at roughly $425,000 to restore three cut programs without reallocating school weighted student formula funds. Commissioners encouraged staff to explore alternative funding or centralization options and asked for a clear timeline and cost scenarios at the August meetings so the board could consider restoration.