San Francisco public schools will reopen next week after school district leaders and the teachers’ union reached a tentative agreement early Friday, ending the first educators’ strike in the city in nearly 50 years.
San Francisco Unified School District and the United Educators of San Francisco union announced the deal was signed at 5:30 a.m. following a 13-hour bargaining session. Friday will serve as a transition day for staff, and roughly 49,000 students will return to classrooms on Wednesday, after the Presidents’ Day and Lunar New Year holidays.
The two-year agreement includes salary increases and fully funded family health care benefits at Kaiser rates beginning Jan. 1 of next year. Health care relief will begin on July 1.
Certificated employees, including teachers, will receive 2% raises this year and next and additional paid work days to their calendar. UESF described the certificated package as totaling 5% over two years. Classified employees, including paraeducators, will receive raises totaling 8.5% over two years — 4% in the first year and 4.5% in the second — along with an additional floating holiday. Paraeducators providing specialized medical services will receive an additional ongoing 5% salary increase.
The agreement also includes more support in special education, limits on the district’s use of artificial intelligence and contracting out, sanctuary protections for students and educators, and continued funding for programs supporting unhoused students and families.
Su: A ‘monumental’ pact
“By forcing SFUSD to invest in fully funded family health care, special education workloads, improved wages, sanctuary and housing protections for San Francisco families, we’ve made important progress towards the schools our students deserve,” UESF President Cassondra Curiel said in a statement. “This contract is a strong foundation for us to continue to build the safe and stable learning environments our students deserve.”
Superintendent Maria Su called the agreement “monumental.”
“This agreement enhances our efforts to recruit and attract talented educators to work in San Francisco public schools and reflects our commitment to invest in educators,” Su said.
“I know it has been a hard week, and I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our students and families. We cannot wait to welcome you back to school,” she said.
Mayor Daniel Lurie praised both sides for reaching a deal.
“I am grateful that our educators and school district have reached a tentative agreement, allowing our public school students to return to the classroom,” Lurie said.
Schools and administrative offices reopened to staff Friday.
The tentative agreement must still be ratified by union members and approved by the San Francisco Board of Education, according to school district officials.