Q: Are they likely to veto the contract?
A: It depends. The district will have to show them they have a plan to pay for it.
San Francisco schools have been in a fiscal crisis for several years, spending more than they get in revenue. For this school year, the school board cut $114 million in staffing and other spending from the budget, with more than $30 million in additional cuts needed for this next year — before the new teacher contract.
Q: Does the district have a plan?
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A: Yes, and no.
Su provided some idea of how the contract would be paid for, with the district’s $111 million emergency reserve spent significantly down and other one-time monies used to cover costs. Funds from a 2008 parcel tax, Measure A, will help pay for the health care benefits, but that expires in 2028.
The union also agreed to pause paid sabbaticals, which will save about $5.4 million per year, but declined to give in on extra prep periods for Advanced Placement teachers and department heads, which would have added another $8 million to the district’s side of the equation.
The district and union are expected to sign a separate agreement to work on passing a renewal of the tax for the ongoing coverage. But if it doesn’t pass and without the revenue from the voter-approved measure, it’s unclear how the district would be able to pay the 100% family care, which is expected to cost $42.3 million starting in 2027-2028, and increase by more than 7% annually thereafter.