Students and parents urge SFUSD board to save teachers as preliminary layoffs loom

Students, parents and teachers packed the public-comment period to plead with the San Francisco Board of Education to rescind preliminary layoff notices and preserve support staff and teachers of color.

Fifth-grader Tiana Evans told the board she was speaking for Cobb Elementary when she asked the district to stop cuts that would take “our teachers away,” saying, “Please let us keep all our teachers.” Zia Marie Langton, a fourth grader at the same school, asked why the district is “pink slipping” teachers of color while recruiting them, saying parents who decline to report race data should not cost students support services.

Why it matters: Speakers described the role classroom and support teachers play in daily learning — from reading and math help to social-emotional support — and said losing experienced staff would disproportionately affect Black and brown students. Multiple teachers and parents said the district’s payroll and tax-withholding problems have added to staff stress and turnover, and they warned the cuts could deepen staffing shortages.

The case for keeping staff: Donovan Mitchell, a student who spoke for his school, said his teachers “help us when we're hurt,” and urged the board to “please save our teachers.” Kindergarten and support staff advocates — including teachers who said Cobb is a model school with deep community roots — asked the board to prioritize school-site allocations rather than central reductions.

District context and what’s next: Staff and trustees said the district faces a budget shortfall driven primarily by declining enrollment and significant long-term obligations, including retiree health and pension liabilities. The board heard these concerns alongside the public pleas and will continue budget scenario planning in coming weeks. Formal layoff timelines and any potential recalls depend on updated enrollment counts and an evolving budget plan.

Ending: The board received the testimony and heard follow-up questions from trustees and staff; several speakers asked for further engagement with principals and classroom teachers as budget decisions are finalized.