Today, public schools across the San Francisco Unified School District closed as teachers and education staff began a strike, the first in the city in nearly 50 years. The action reflects deep frustrations in contract negotiations over wages, health care benefits, and resources necessary to support students and educators.
Update, February 25, 2026: As of this morning, the strike has ended, but the tentative deal still needs approval from union members, the school board, and the state.
At Innovate, we believe:
Teachers are essential community anchors. They nurture our children’s growth and learning every day, and they deserve compensation and benefits that reflect the importance of their work, especially in high-cost-of-living areas like San Francisco. Quality instruction and stability in the classroom require that educators feel valued and supported.
Students must remain at the center of every decision. Schools do far more than deliver instruction. School closures disrupt learning, social supports, and stability for our students. And all of these impacts fall hardest on our most vulnerable learners, including immigrant students and families who rely on schools for safety, meals, and community connection. In response to today’s disruptions, city and community partners are mobilizing food sites and services, recognizing that missing school means missing those foundational resources for many families.
We must also acknowledge the climate of fear facing many immigrant families in SFUSD. Heightened immigration enforcement has increased anxiety around safety and school attendance, underscoring how closely educational access is tied to basic needs like security, stability, and belonging.
A lasting solution must reconcile fair compensation with sustainable funding. SFUSD, like many districts, is navigating serious fiscal challenges in the face of budget deficits and rising costs. Yet California, the world’s fifth-largest economy, has the capacity to prioritize public education in state budgeting so that districts can fairly compensate teachers and keep classrooms open. Investments in our public schools are investments in equitable opportunity, economic vitality, and community well-being.
This moment does not have to be a choice between supporting teachers and supporting students. We know both are necessary and interconnected.
We call on the district, the United Educators of San Francisco, and state leaders to return to the negotiating table with urgency and courage to reach an agreement that honors the hard work of educators and ensures uninterrupted learning for students.