Joint Hearing on SFUSD Safety Procedures - February 1, 2024

This was a special joint meeting of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors' Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee and the San Francisco Youth Commission's Civic Engagement and Education Committee, held on February 1, 2024. The singular agenda item was a hearing to evaluate the lockdown and other safety procedures of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). The hearing included presentations from SFUSD leadership, questions from supervisors and youth commissioners, and public comment from students, parents, and community members.

Presentation by SFUSD

• SFUSD Director of Emergency Planning and Preparedness Greg Markwith and Assistant Superintendent of Student and Family Services Eric Guthertz presented an overview of the district's safety measures.
• Facilities: The district reallocated $10 million in bond funds in October 2021 for safety improvements. 90% of classrooms now have secure door hardware, with completion expected by summer 2024. Remote door access with cameras is also being installed. Approximately 30 schools require PA system upgrades to meet new district standards, with an estimated additional $2-5 million needed. The November 2024 bond measure is a critical funding source; if it fails, the district will seek other funding.
• Crisis communications: The district categorizes incidents as low, medium, or high impact, with corresponding notification levels. Officials noted that third-party apps like Citizen often spread misinformation, and the district prioritizes confirming facts before communicating. The Washington High School incident messaging was delayed until the district could confirm no active threat.
• Law enforcement coordination: Markwith meets weekly with SFPD Captain Samuel Christ, and they maintain direct communication. Schools are encouraged to call 911 directly; central office does not intervene.
• Safety planning: Every school has a comprehensive crisis plan and conducts state-mandated drills (fire, earthquake, lockdown, lockout). Lockdowns are called only when a threat is identified on campus or directed by law enforcement.
• Student support: The district emphasized "sense of belonging" as a key guardrail. Coordinated care teams meet weekly at every school. Wellness centers exist at all high schools and will expand to all middle schools by next year. The district has trained over 8,000 students in the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System via Sandy Hook Promise, and has partnerships with city agencies, violence interrupters, and community organizations.

Discussion Items

• Youth Commissioner Barker Plummer asked about the procedure between schools and SFPD, clarifying that principals act as incident commanders and can call 911 without central office approval. They also raised concerns about crisis communication to students in real time, not just families, and the urgency of PA system funding. Plummer also asked about distribution of safe firearm storage information, suggesting hard copies sent home.
• Youth Commissioner Perez asked about funding for PA systems if the bond fails; SFUSD responded that it would reallocate other projects. Perez also asked about the current state of PA systems; they exist but are not up to district standards.
• Youth Commissioner Markeen asked about the crisis communication process for students; the district detailed its three-tier notification system.
• Youth Commissioner Alioto Pier asked about lockdown drill policies and the emotional support available to students after drills or incidents. The district explained that drills are state-mandated twice per year, but also acknowledged staffing shortages in counselors and social workers.
• Supervisor Dorsey commented on the link between bullying and school shootings, and thanked the youth for their advocacy. He also expressed frustration with Supreme Court rulings that have limited gun control.
• Supervisor Stephanie highlighted that gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens, and praised the students' advocacy.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A speaker (name not given) expressed appreciation for the presentation but urged continued attention to active shooter preparedness, including door locks, PA systems, and communication with students.
• Sarah Montoya, a Moms Demand Action volunteer and public school parent, stated that parents need more transparency and that students deserve better safety. She cited a teacher who feared for student safety.
• Sophia, a student at Washington High School, said that lockdown drills are not conducted twice a year as required; the first in years just occurred. She also reported two bathroom fires on separate days with no parent notification. She noted wellness centers are understaffed, with wait times of up to six months for therapy, and that she had never heard of the Say Something system or seen posters.
• Vincent Yi, a student at George Washington High School, echoed that Say Something was not advertised and stated that PA system upgrades have been promised for four years without delivery. He asked for accountability and a timeline for modernization.
• Tom Peer, a 30-year San Francisco resident, praised the youth commission and encouraged engagement in social media regulation, referencing Senate hearings with tech CEOs.
• Jen Nassakoff, a parent of a first grader, said her daughter has not had a lockdown drill, the campus is open, and there is a lack of communication. She stated the district is not prepared with technology or infrastructure.
• Stephanie Falkenstein, a parent of a second grader and site council member, noted that Galileo High School's PA system failure also impacts adjacent elementary schools that evacuate there. She cited cases where principals being absent led to communication failures, and called for better oversight.

Key Outcomes

• The committee voted unanimously (3 ayes) to hear and file the report, concluding the hearing without additional action.
• SFUSD representatives committed to taking recommendations back to their team, including distributing hard copies of safe firearm storage information and improving communication channels.
• The hearing highlighted ongoing concerns and areas for improvement, including PA system funding, student awareness of reporting systems, and mental health support resources.