As the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) plans to forcibly close Sutro Elementary School, the school community in Richmond District has launched an intense opposition campaign. On October 13, a group of Chinese American parents and supporters gathered to argue that the district’s closure decision is “inequitable, unreasonable, and unsafe.” They pointed out that Sutro Elementary has primarily served low-income families and Chinese immigrant students for many years.
To protest the closure plan, parents and supporters organized a community outreach event titled “Protect Sutro” at the farmer’s market on Clement Street. They distributed flyers and engaged with community members to raise public awareness about the issue and seek additional support.
Chinese parent Zhao Chengguo expressed, “This isn’t just about Sutro Elementary; it’s about the future of our entire community. Our children rely on the education here. As new immigrants, they get the chance to learn multiple languages.”
Another parent added, “This school is not just about education; it’s a part of the community. Children grow up here, making friendships and receiving support tailored to our specific needs. If the school closes, we aren’t sure where we can find these language, arts, and cultural education resources.”
Matt Wayne, the SFUSD Superintendent, stated that the closure plan results from declining enrollment and financial constraints. He emphasized that the district faces significant budget pressures, forcing it to make difficult decisions to utilize resources effectively.
However, Wayne’s explanation did little to calm the fears of parents and community members. Many parents voiced concerns that the district’s plan overlooks Sutro’s role as a vital pillar for low-income and immigrant families. The Chinese American community is particularly worried that shutting down the school will have long-term negative impacts on students’ academic performance and further limit their access to quality educational opportunities.
Chinese parent Zhang Ke shared, “Our children face various challenges, from language barriers to cultural adaptation. This school understands our needs and provides targeted support. If it closes, our children will lose this assistance, and other schools may not offer the same level of education.”
City Councilmember Chen Shimin joined the gathering, showing solidarity with the protesters. Supporters of Sutro Elementary stated that this protest is merely the beginning, with plans for more activities to raise awareness across the city. A protest against the closure is scheduled to take place at the school next Wednesday.
The organizers declared, “We will not stop fighting until the district listens to our voices and finds a reasonable solution for our children. We hope this event will attract more media and public attention, prompting the district to reconsider its closure plan.”
As of the publication of this article, there has been no recent response from the San Francisco Unified School District.
