About 19 students marched into the War Memorial Opera House Wednesday evening, demanding to meet with San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Superintendent Maria Su as the city’s public schools remained closed for a third consecutive day.
Frustrated by the lack of resolution to the ongoing teachers’ strike, the students said they wanted answers directly from the district’s top leader.
Once inside, they arranged chairs in a circle, anticipating a face-to-face conversation with Su. Union leaders and teachers gathered in the room to watch as students prepared to speak.
Instead, Hong Mei Pang, SFUSD’s head of communications and governance, informed the delegation that Su would not be able to attend. Pang sat down to address the students and said she would relay their concerns.
One by one, students stood to speak, addressing Pang as if she were Su.
“I just want to say, where the hell is Maria Su?” said Nick, an 18-year-old high school senior. His question drew loud applause from the room. Some teachers nodded in agreement.
“This is a very passionate topic for all of us,” Pang responded. “Can we just make sure that we are using language that is respectful?”
“Of course,” Nick replied.
Adam Hrizi, 16, a student at Balboa High School, followed.
“I think he’s just very passionate about this subject,” Hrizi said. “It does bring out some stuff in people when we haven’t been in school in three days.”
“Absolutely,” Pang responded.
“Our teachers are here fighting,” Hrizi continued. “And if Maria Su can’t come and talk, that is a shame.”
Throughout the roughly 30-minute meeting, Pang reiterated that Su was at the bargaining table and would receive the students’ concerns. The discussion grew emotional as several students shared personal stories about how the strike was affecting their families.
Lucciano, 17, a senior at Mission High School, spoke about his older sister, a fourth-grade teacher at Hillcrest Elementary.
“She’s overwhelmed, overworked,” Alvarez said, pausing as his eyes filled with tears. “She just needs more help. She comes home every day exhausted. The school needs more funding.”
Other students echoed concerns about teacher pay and their own futures.
“How are they going to be able to teach when they don’t have enough money for materials that support us?” another student said. “I bet all of these teachers want us to have a good future.”
SFUSD officials announced Wednesday evening that schools will remain closed Thursday, marking a fourth day of canceled classes. Approximately 50,000 students have been out of school, leaving many families scrambling to arrange childcare.
Despite the district presenting a new proposal, union leaders said the two sides remain far apart. UESF continues to push for fully covered family health care benefits, higher salaries and improved working conditions in special education.
As the meeting concluded, students pressed Pang to arrange a direct meeting with Su.
“Let’s make it happen. Let’s find a date,” Pang said. “She wants to sit down with you.”
“Beautiful,” Hrizi replied.
“Tomorrow,” another student quipped.
“Tomorrow?” Hrizi said, smiling. “I think that day works great. Why not?”
“Let’s figure it out,” Pang responded.
