UASF Urges SFUSD to Prioritize Compensation and Support for School Leaders

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Board of Education meeting on August 12, 2025, featured significant discussions regarding the compensation and support for school leaders. The meeting began with an announcement that childcare services would be available for families attending the board meetings, emphasizing the district's commitment to accessibility.

During the public comment segment, Anna Clafter, president of the United Administrators of San Francisco (UASF), addressed the board with urgent concerns from her members. She highlighted the challenges faced by school leaders and administrators, particularly during recent turbulent years marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing instability within the district. Clafter pointed out that while other districts offer significantly higher salaries, SFUSD has seen a turnover rate of 25 to 30 percent among school leaders, which is notably higher than the national average of 18 percent. This turnover, she argued, poses a serious threat to student success and school climate.

Clafter urged the board to prioritize compensation for UASF members in upcoming budget planning, ensure fairness in pay compared to surrounding districts, and uphold commitments to equity and student success. She emphasized that strong leadership is essential for creating high-performing schools and that the current compensation structure undervalues the work of school leaders.

The meeting concluded with the board moving into a closed session, following the public comments. The discussions highlighted the pressing need for SFUSD to address compensation disparities and support its leaders to foster a stable educational environment for students.