SFUSD Assigns Tasks to Teachers Amid Strike Day Challenges
The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) faces a significant teacher work stoppage on Monday, marking a historic strike that has not occurred in 47 years. In anticipation of this strike, SFUSD sent emails to its over 6,000 teachers on Friday night, informing them of “redeployment assignments” to various Staff Centers. This decision follows a striking vote, where an overwhelming 97.6% supported the walkout.
District’s Redeployment Strategy
The district’s email outlined that teachers and other staff members would report to designated Staff Centers on the day of the strike. This initiative aims to keep district operations running during the walkout. The Staff Centers include:
- A.P. Giannini Middle School
- Hoover Middle School
- Lowell High School
- Marina Middle School
- Burton High School
- Roosevelt Middle School
- Ruth Asawa School of the Arts
Each district employee’s assigned location was based on its proximity to their home. However, the exact tasks required at these centers remain unclear.
Responses from Unions and Teachers
The district’s plan has met with confusion and criticism from various unions. The United Administrators of San Francisco and SEIU-represented workers have also expressed intentions to join the strike as part of a “sympathy strike.” Many educators view the district’s redeployment as an attempt to undermine the movement.
“It’s perplexing why we are not being given the option to work from home,” stated Anna Klafter, president of the principals and administrators union. “With a 300-person picket line at Lowell High School, many will hesitate to cross it.”
Concerns Over Redeployment Execution
Cassondra Curiel, president of the teachers union, criticized the SFUSD’s approach, emphasizing that effort should be redirected toward crafting reasonable proposals to meet student and community needs rather than creating unnecessary redeployment plans.
The email to district employees included instructions to arrive at their assigned Staff Centers by 7:30 a.m. on Monday, emphasizing the requirement to check in with Human Resources (HR) for accurate payroll and to bring essential work equipment.
Logistical Challenges and Further Questions
Many district staff members have expressed embarrassment about the situation. Comments from staff reflect a widespread reluctance to participate in this redeployment plan amid a potentially contentious strike. As an administrator remarked, “I am embarrassed on their behalf.”
While SFUSD has arranged for operations to continue through the strike, the decision to redeploy teachers and other staff has sparked significant debate. The district’s actions will be closely monitored as the situation unfolds on Monday.
