Updated Feb 4, 2026
The Contract Dispute, Explained
A parent-friendly breakdown of the SFUSD factfinding report: what each side wants, what the panel recommends, and what it means for your family.
The core question
What does each side want?
After nearly a year of failed negotiations, a neutral panel has recommended a compromise. The union representative only "concurred in part."
| Issue | Union Wants | District Offered | Panel Recommends |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salary Increase | 9% over 2 years (4.5%/yr) | 4% over 2 years (2%/yr) | 6% over 2 years (3%/yr) |
| Family Health Benefits | Fully-paid coverage ($14M/yr) | Use parcel tax funds (outside contract) | Parcel tax as temporary bridge |
| Special Education | Workload model ($22M/yr) | Keep caseload model (status quo) | Pilot program at select schools |
| Class Sizes | Hard limits (not goals) | Keep as goals (~$5M to change) | Status quo (keep as goals) |
| Staffing (Nurses, Counselors) | At every school ($82.1M/yr) | Status quo | Status quo |
| Sanctuary Protections | Written into contract | Not a bargaining subject | Joint resolution (not in contract) |
| AI in Schools | Specific contract language | Working group to study | Status quo (working group) |
Who agreed to what?
The panel issued its recommendations on February 4, 2026. The union's partial concurrence signals the recommendations may not be accepted.
Source: Factfinding Report, p.19
Following the money
What does it cost?
Every proposal has a price tag. Here's what each side's demands would cost, and what the district says it can afford.
💰 Cost of Union Proposals
- Per 1% raise (all staff)$10.17MReport, p.12
- Family health benefits$11-14M/yrReport, p.3, 9
- Special ed workload model$22M/yrReport, p.3
- Full staffing proposal$82.1M/yrReport, p.4
- Class size limits~$5MReport, p.10
📊 District Financial Position
- Operating budget (2025-26)$1.2BSFUSD
- Cuts made (2025-26)$114MSFUSD
- More cuts needed (2026-27)$102MSFUSD FAQs
- Enrollment decline (ADA)9.42%Report, p.7
- Reserve funds~$100MGrowSF
Cost of living context
The panel looks at whether raises keep up with inflation. Here's how California CPI has changed:
Source: Factfinding Report, p.15-16
The consultant controversy
The union argues SFUSD spends too much on outside contractors. The panel recommends reallocating these funds. But the report doesn't include specific dollar amounts for total consultant spending.
⚠️ If schools close during a strike
SFUSD would lose $7-10 million per day in state penalties for ceasing instruction.
Source: SF Standard, Feb 3, 2026
The details
Key issues in the dispute
Special Education
The panel acknowledged that special education teachers face "overwhelming demands" as student needs become more complex. SFUSD has more than 6,800 special ed students, about 14% of enrollment.
Panel's recommendation
Create a pilot program at 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school to test workload-based models before district-wide implementation.
Source: Factfinding Report, p.10, 13-14
Sanctuary Protections
The union wanted contract language designating SFUSD as a "sanctuary district" with commitments to support immigrant and unhoused families, including legal services, housing assistance, and employment support.
Context from the report
The panel cited the "outrageous attacks on immigrant communities" and specifically mentioned the detention of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father.
Source: Factfinding Report, p.16
However, the panel ruled this is not a "mandatory subject of bargaining" and shouldn't be in the contract. They recommend a joint resolution instead.
Salary Competitiveness
The parties dispute how SFUSD salaries compare to other districts:
The panel noted: "The challenge here is reconciling the differences in the analysis of the data since the parties rely on mostly the same districts." (Factfinding Report, p.9)
What happens next
Strike timeline
Methodology
Sources
Every number links to an official public document or news report. The factfinding report is the primary source; external sources provide additional context.
Official Documents
News Coverage
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