SFUSD Board Grants Superintendent Emergency Strike Authority as Educators and Parents Plead for Deal

The San Francisco school board voted 4-2 Tuesday to give Superintendent Dr. Maria Su emergency powers to keep schools running during a potential educator strike—even as roughly 25 speakers packed the boardroom to demand the district settle with teachers instead of preparing for a showdown. With a fact-finding report due Wednesday and educators poised to walk out for the first time in nearly 50 years, the divided board chose preparation over what two dissenting members called a missed opportunity to negotiate in good faith.

• Board narrowly approves emergency strike resolution after removing controversial $600/day substitute hiring provision

• Superintendent commits to returning to bargaining table Thursday after fact-finding report

• Two commissioners vote no, arguing board should discuss $429 million fund balance before preparing for strike

• Student delegate casts advisory no vote, citing unanswered questions about graduation and AP exams

• Educators, parents, and students overwhelmingly urge settlement over strike preparation

The sole agenda item—a resolution authorizing the superintendent to take emergency actions during a strike—dominated Tuesday's special meeting, exposing deep divisions on the seven-member board about strategy, timing, and the message San Francisco sends its educators.