By outdoor-nature-child.com The announcement of school closures and mergers by the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) on October 8 has sparked a strong backlash from the community. This plan affects 11 elementary schools, including several with rich histories and deep connections to their communities. City officials, residents, and parents have voiced significant concerns, fearing that the closures will not only disrupt the lives of students and families but will also have lasting negative impacts on immigrant and minority communities.
Among the schools targeted for closure is the Pacific Heights Montessori School, which is set to merge with Rosa Parks Elementary. The President of the San Francisco City Council, Aaron Peskin, expressed deep sympathy for the affected families and teachers on October 9, harshly criticizing SFUSD’s approach. He pointed out that the closures and mergers predominantly impact communities with high populations of Asian, Black, and immigrant residents, particularly in Chinatown, Bayview, and Visitacion Valley. These schools serve not just as educational institutions but also as cultural pillars within their communities, providing after-school tutoring, community services, and a hub for local activities.
Peskin emphasized the historical and cultural significance of the affected schools, noting that Spring Valley Elementary is one of the oldest continuously operating public schools in California, and Yick Wo Elementary is named after a landmark Chinese civil rights case. The closure of these institutions is akin to severing vital cultural ties within Chinatown and other immigrant neighborhoods.
Peskin criticized the district’s decision-making process, accusing the SFUSD leadership of prioritizing immediate financial relief over long-term planning and comprehensive consideration of the community’s needs. He called for the district to rethink its decision and pledged to do everything in his power to push SFUSD to reverse what he deemed an “unfair and unwise” choice.
Chinese-American parents, particularly, are concerned about the potential for unequal access to educational resources. Parent Zhao Lei highlighted Sutro Elementary as a case in point—it is the only school in the Richmond District offering a bilingual English-Chinese program. Despite the school’s solid performance, it is on the closure list while some lower-performing schools remain open. Parents believe there are significant fairness issues with this decision, especially since SFUSD did not take into account the specific needs of Chinese families.
Currently, SFUSD has proposed transferring bilingual students from Sutro Elementary to the Chinese Immersion School (CIS) in the Sunset District. However, this plan has faced opposition from parent representatives who argue that it is impractical for many families without cars. While the drive from the Richmond District to Sunset takes about nine minutes, walking or using public transportation could add 47 to 54 minutes to their commute.
To make matters worse, CIS starts classes nearly two hours earlier than Sutro, which would place immense pressure on students and families to adjust their daily routines. Parents are questioning whether this arrangement truly considers the best interests of students or if it is just a hasty decision to alleviate financial pressures.
As of now, there has been no response from the San Francisco Unified School District regarding these concerns.