San Francisco Plans to Close 9% of Public Schools Amid Budget Crisis

San Francisco is preparing to close 9% of its public schools in an urgent attempt to rectify a significant budget deficit. The city plans to close or merge 11 of its 121 schools due to a decline in student enrollment and the exhaustion of pandemic relief funds. This decision leaves the future of thousands of students and teachers uncertain.

Proposed Cuts to Avoid State Takeover

This proposal was announced late on Tuesday as the school district faces a staggering $113 million in cuts by 2026 to avoid a potential state takeover. Superintendent Matt Wayne warned, "Without a balanced budget and a plan to consolidate our resources, we risk a state takeover." He further added that such a takeover would "further deplete resources directed to our schools, erode our collective decision-making power, and likely compound educational disparities for our most vulnerable students." The schools targeted for closure cater to approximately 2,000 students, while two others will merge with different locations, according to local reports. The San Francisco school district has already been eliminating jobs and reducing school supplies. The situation could worsen when the final list of schools for closure is voted on by the school board next month, as reported by Bloomberg.

City Struggles with Multiple Crises

This is yet another setback for a city already struggling with a surge in homelessness and a fentanyl crisis. San Francisco's public school enrollment has dropped by over 4,000 students in the past seven years, costing the district $80 million. The district anticipates losing another 4,600 students by 2032 due to declining birth rates and demographic changes.

The 'Doom Loop' Phenomenon

The proposed school closures are not just a budgetary issue. They reflect the larger economic "doom loop" in which San Francisco finds itself. The San Francisco Chronicle describes the city's economic ecosystem as spiraling downward, with the decline of core public services like schools accelerating a broader exodus of residents and businesses. Due to crime, filth, and the pandemic, downtown San Francisco has experienced a significant decrease in foot traffic. Remote work has left office buildings and businesses vacant, eroding the city's tax base and leading to budget shortfalls in essential services. The closure of schools may prompt more families to leave the city, taking their children and spending power with them. This doom loop is fueled by a vicious cycle: reduced public services drive people and businesses away, shrinking the tax revenue the city depends on to fund these services. The closure of schools, along with the increase in homelessness and the overdose epidemic, threatens to further exacerbate San Francisco's decline, locking it in a downward spiral. As San Francisco's public institutions falter, the question arises - how much longer can the city sustain these losses before it reaches a tipping point?

Bottom Line

San Francisco's decision to close a significant percentage of its public schools is a drastic measure taken in response to a severe budget crisis. The move not only affects students and teachers but also reflects the city's broader economic challenges. As the city's public institutions continue to struggle, one wonders how much more the city can endure before reaching a critical breaking point. What are your thoughts on this issue? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss it. You can also sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.