Jinshan plans to close 11 schools; Chen Shimin and Chen Xiaoyan oppose it

San Francisco City Council member Connie Chan has expressed strong opposition to the proposed closure of 11 schools within the San Francisco Unified School District due to budget deficits and other issues. Alongside Chyanne Chen, a candidate for the District 11 council seat, Chan argues that shutting down schools should be a last resort, and emphasizes that alternative solutions should be explored first.

On the morning of October 8, Chan met with Matt Wayne, the superintendent of the San Francisco School District, to discuss the resource reallocation plan’s impact on the Richmond district. During this meeting, she learned that Sutro Elementary School has been earmarked for closure. “This news was extremely disappointing to me,” Chan stated, “because Sutro Elementary is not only a vital school in the Richmond district but also a cornerstone of education for many local families, especially those who primarily speak Cantonese.”

Chan noted that during the meeting, Wayne assured her that students from Sutro Elementary would have guaranteed placements in neighboring schools, including Alamo and Lafayette Elementary Schools. Additionally, students who speak only Cantonese would be assured spots at the Chinese DeAvila Elementary School. The site of Sutro Elementary is set to be transformed into a new early education center, catering to preschool and pre-kindergarten services.

The school district plans to hold online community meetings in the coming weeks and will also host a live meeting at Sutro Elementary, inviting students, parents, and community members to share their thoughts on these closure and merger proposals. The first meeting is scheduled for October 10 at 5:30 PM.

Chan reiterated that school closures should indeed be the last option, advocating for the resolution she introduced, which was unanimously passed by the city council last week. “We need to address wage issues, invest in improving campus facilities with a $790 million school bond, and collaborate with state government to tackle budget problems.”

District 11 council candidate Chyanne Chen also voiced her strong opposition to the school closures. Within District 11, two schools—Excelsior San Francisco Community School and Paul Revere (a K-8 school)—are set to merge. Additionally, June Jordan School for Equity will combine with O’Connell High School.

Chen believes that closing schools without discussing other alternatives is not a wise decision. “For instance, some children used to walk to school, and if they are transferred, it will create additional burdens. Those who had integrated well into their existing schools would now need to adapt all over again. The older children are, the harder it becomes for them to adjust.”

She emphasized the unique opportunities that San Francisco has as an international metropolis and urged a reflection on why student populations are declining in favor of private schools or schools outside the city. Chen advocates for measures to enhance school quality, asking, “Will closing schools truly solve the academic challenges our students face? Will it ensure there are no substitute teachers and enhance programs like music?”