SFUSD Teachers on Brink of Strike as Fact-Finding Fails

Union says 3% raise recommendation won't solve staffing crisis

Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:39pm by Ben Kaplan

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A fact-finding panel has recommended a 6% annual raise over two years for San Francisco Unified School District teachers, but the union says the proposal falls short and does not address the district's staffing crisis. Contract negotiations continue, with the union threatening to call a strike if a deal is not reached.

Why it matters

A potential SFUSD teacher strike would disrupt education for tens of thousands of students and families in San Francisco. The dispute highlights the ongoing challenges facing public school districts, including declining enrollment and tight budgets, as they try to retain and attract teachers.

The details

The fact-finding panel's recommendation of a 6% raise over two years is a compromise between the district's proposed 3% annual raises and the union's demands. However, the union says the report 'does not go far enough' to solve the district's staffing issues. The district faces financial constraints including declining enrollment and a 'negative financial certification' status that subjects it to state oversight.

  • The fact-finding report was released on February 4, 2026.
  • Contract negotiations will continue through the week.
  • The union said it will announce its next steps on Thursday.

The players

United Educators of San Francisco

The teachers union representing SFUSD educators.

Cassondra Curiel

President of the United Educators of San Francisco.

San Francisco Unified School District

The public school district serving students in San Francisco.

Angela Su

Union-aligned panelist on the fact-finding report.

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What they’re saying

“The report does not go far enough — and the recommendations here alone will not solve the stability crisis in our district. Now is the time for the district to come to the table with real solutions and show the community that they are fully committed to funding the classrooms and schools our students and communities deserve.”

— Cassondra Curiel, President, United Educators of San Francisco (sfstandard.com)

“The 6% over two-year raise recommended in the fact-finding report is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough to retain key employees.”

— Angela Su, Union-aligned panelist (sfstandard.com)

What’s next

The union said it will announce its next steps, including the possibility of a strike, on Thursday.

The takeaway

This labor dispute highlights the ongoing challenges facing public school districts as they try to retain and attract teachers amid tight budgets and declining enrollment. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for the San Francisco education system and its students.