SFUSD confronts testing delays, PPE shortages and staff strain as Omicron surges

Student leaders, parents and educators pressed the San Francisco Unified School District on Jan. 11 for faster testing, better personal protective equipment and clearer remote‑learning options as the Omicron surge strained classrooms.

The board heard a Student Advisory Council survey the delegates said had amassed "over 3,250 responses," describing studentsand families who feel unsafe and asking for an opt‑in hybrid option, standardized excused absences, weekly testing and stronger enforcement of mask rules. Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews and health staff updated the board on testing, vaccination guidance and ventilation.

Why it matters: Families and staff said delays in test results and uneven distribution of masks and rapid antigen kits are forcing difficult choices about attendance and are hobbling instruction. Teachers reported frequent absences and site leaders said substitute coverage was inadequate — conditions that could force some campuses to curb in‑person operations if staffing becomes unsustainable.

What the district said: Mele Lau Smith, who led the testing briefing, said the district ran about 17,000 tests in the first week back and has expanded options — PCR “self‑swab” kits that can be dropped at school for courier pickup, city‑partner rapid‑test sites and a one‑time distribution of home antigen kits. She said turnaround time for PCR kits typically ranged from 12–24 hours but has lengthened during the surge, in some cases to several days. "We did anticipate increased demand," she said, and characterized some delays as a national supply and lab‑capacity problem.

On masking and supplies, staff said the city committed 150,000 KN95 masks to the district and additional donations of surgical masks arrived; staff reported a roughly 30‑day supply on hand and estimated an additional 460,000–500,000 adult masks would be needed to cover the school year if one mask per adult per day were issued. Chief budget staff said COVID‑related work — testing, tracing, PPE, ventilation and independent‑study costs — could total about $26.7 million, with testing the largest single category.

What students and teachers want: The SAC recommended a short (two‑to‑three week) opt‑in hybrid or tailored short‑term independent study for students living with immunocompromised household members or other high‑risk circumstances; a standardized district protocol to excuse absences for students who stay home out of safety concerns; weekly testing availability at school sites; visible signage describing how to get tests; more consistent distribution of KN95/KN94 masks; and paid, emergency COVID sick days for staff.

Officials' response and limits: Staff said short‑term independent study already exists for up to 15 school days and families can apply to online learning programs while awaiting placement, but acknowledged the logistics of a broad hybrid model are complex and that many teachers would need additional resources and time. Officials also said FEMA and other external funds are being pursued to reimburse COVID spending, but that FEMA payments are reimbursable and require upfront spending by the district.

Where things stand: Staff pledged to accelerate distribution of masks and tests and to publish clearer, school‑level communications about pickup days and testing locations. Officials also said they are working on a new procurement strategy for testing services to reflect changing supply constraints and will return with additional details. For now, many parents, students and educators said more rapid, reliable testing and daily access to high‑quality masks are immediate needs.

Next steps: The board referred implementation details to staff and signaled follow‑up in committee meetings; student delegates and community members asked the board to publish a clearer operational plan and an updated timeline for mass distribution and testing availability.