We, the undersigned—students, families, educators, community members, and organizations in San Francisco—are united in our resolute opposition to the San Francisco Unified School District’s reckless proposal to close our beloved neighborhood schools. This misguided plan does nothing to address the district’s budgetary issues and, instead, poses a grave threat to our communities, with repercussions that will echo across generations. We call on the San Francisco Board of Education to reject these harmful school closures with urgency.

In San Francisco, these processes have been dominated by parents with the means and know how to access decision-makers and those in positions of power. This inequality undermines the very essence of a just and equitable evaluation.

Parents belonging to racial and economic groups most likely to be affected by closures were significantly underrepresented in the district’s Phase II community survey received nearly 10,000 responses. Analysis by Stanford with SFUSD found a mismatch between survey respondents and the student population: White respondents were 35% while White students are 12% of SFUSD students; Latino/Hispanic parents were 14% versus 32% of students; and Black parents were 3.8% compared to 6% of students. Additionally, 39.7% of parents reported holding advanced degrees. Those most affected by closures were notably under-represented. The Stanford team also noted that only half of the respondents completed the metrics questions, which were intended to prioritize categories like “equity” and “excellence.” It seems the survey was used more to justify school closures than to genuinely gauge parent input.  

Historically, school closures in San Francisco have disproportionately impacted low-income communities of color, where families may lack the means or opportunity to effectively voice their dissent. The consequences of closing these schools extend far beyond mere numbers—they dismantle vital community hubs where learning, support, and a sense of belonging thrive.

When these schools close, families lose more than just an educational facility; they lose a cornerstone of community development and support. Schools are sanctuaries where the joy of learning flourishes and where families find reassurance and vital support for their children’s well-being and academic progress. We must not let this plan strip away these invaluable resources.

We urge the Board to stand with us, to listen to the voices of those most affected, and to reject the school closures that threaten to fracture our communities and undermine our collective future.