SFUSD Warns All Schools Will Close Monday If No UESF Deal

San Francisco Unified School District warned that all district-run campuses will be closed to students on Monday if negotiators fail to reach a last-minute contract with the United Educators of San Francisco. Bargaining will continue over the weekend, but district leaders told families to prepare as if Monday will be a closure that affects roughly 50,000 students.

Negotiations that began in March 2025 remain split over wages and health benefits. United Educators of San Francisco is seeking a 9 percent salary increase over two years and fully paid health coverage for dependents. The district has said it is constrained by finances and has not accepted dependent coverage as feasible. A neutral fact-finding report released midweek recommended a 6 percent raise over two years and concluded dependent coverage is not feasible under current finances, though it suggested parcel tax funds could be used to provide dependents’ coverage temporarily for three years.

Talks failed to produce an agreement Thursday night, and the parties agreed to meet Saturday afternoon in a last-ditch session. Union leaders warned that, absent a deal, members would walk off the job at 8 a.m. Monday. Superintendent Maria Su spoke at a Friday press conference and said, "I do not want a strike." She added, "But if UESF proceeds with a strike on Monday, schools will be closed." Reports noted Su appeared emotional during the announcement.

The district said safety and staffing shortfalls would prevent campuses from operating if teachers do not report. United Administrators of San Francisco announced members would hold a sympathy strike and recommended closing schools, citing safety standards that could not be met without teachers and enough support staff. SFUSD plans to provide grade-level instructional packets and digital learning materials and said it would coordinate with city departments to arrange adult supervision where possible. The district posted a learning-resources page titled "Learning Resources: All SFUSD Schools Closed on Monday, Feb. 9" and provided equity and accommodations contacts, including Title IX Coordinator Eva Kellogg at 415-355-7334 and equity email equity@sfusd.edu, Section 504 Coordinator Michele McAdams at mcadamsd@sfusd.edu, and Equity Officer Keasara (Kiki) Williams.

Union statements framed the weekend bargaining window as an opportunity for the district to change course. "There is still time for the district to figure it out and avoid this crisis of their own making," UESF said, and the union added, "We invited them back to the table on Saturday to give them more time to address the urgent crises in our schools. We hope they use this time to create a serious, stabilizing offer." Cassondra Curiel, UESF president, reported that members were disappointed in the district. Union emails noted that "given the proposal we received last night it was clear the district needed more time to prepare a serious offer."

If a strike occurs, it would be the first San Francisco teacher labor stoppage since 1979. Mayor Daniel Lurie urged continued talks, saying, "It is crucial that our schools remain open. Every day in the classroom matters." For now parents should plan alternate care for Monday, monitor SFUSD communications for updates, and consult the district's learning-resources materials and the listed equity and Section 504 contacts for specific student needs. The weekend bargaining session will determine whether classes resume Monday or the closure becomes reality.