Hundreds of teachers left for months without pay, camp out at SFUSD headquarters

UESF-Vice-President-Frank-Lara-talks-to-press-at-SFUSD-headquarters-by-Daphne-Young-031522-1400x1050, Hundreds of teachers left for months without pay, camp out at SFUSD headquarters, Local News & Views News & Views
United Educators of San Francisco’s Vice President Frank Lara explains to the press at the Tuesday, March 15, rally, that they planned to settle in for the night and camp out at SFUSD. – Photo: Daphne Young

by Daphne Young, Education Reporter

Teachers and union members of the United Educators of San Francisco camped out and spent the night at the school district’s headquarters on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

“Checks need to be cut now,” said UESF President Cassondra Curiel.

Union members say hundreds of educators and paraeducators didn’t get paid last week. So, on Tuesday, the UESF held a press conference at 555 Franklin in San Francisco to call for the San Francisco Unified School District to take immediate action to pay all employees.

“We are people, we are parents. We renters, we are roommates and we are workers. We are professionals and we must be paid,” said UESF President Cassondra Curiel.

UESF President, Cassandra Curiel is one of hundreds of educators who didn’t receive a check. “I’m still an employee of SFUSD. I get paid as a classroom teacher. So, 75 percent of my income is my SFUSD paycheck. And, I didn’t end up getting a check in February. I’m stressed.”

Educators-and-UESF-members-camping-out-in-front-of-SFUSD-Superintendent-Dr.-Vincent-Matthews-office-by-Daphne-Young-031522-1400x1050, Hundreds of teachers left for months without pay, camp out at SFUSD headquarters, Local News & Views News & Views
Educators and UESF members camping out in front of Dr. Vincent Matthews office on the third floor of the San Francisco Unified School District on Tuesday. They are protesting hundreds of teachers not getting paid last week. – Photo: Daphne Young

Curiel has worked as an educator for SFUSD for 11 years. She’s one of hundreds of teachers who didn’t get paid during the last pay period by SFUSD.

So, union members and educators marched up to Superintendent Vincent Matthews office after their press conference on Tuesday to deliver letters from those educators impacted. At first, Dr. Matthews was nowhere to be found. But, after a few minutes he came out and spoke to educators and apologized for the payroll mishap.

Protestors-outside-of-SFUSD-by-Daphne-Young-031522-1400x1050, Hundreds of teachers left for months without pay, camp out at SFUSD headquarters, Local News & Views News & Views
Protestors outside of SFUSD during the March 15 rally calling for hundreds of teachers and educators to get paid. – Photo: Daphne Young

“This should not have happened,” Dr. Matthews said. “If a teacher is worried about their paycheck, they’re not focusing on what their craft is. So, my message is that we are putting additional resources on this issue and we’re trying to fix it as soon as possible.”

Matthews says the payroll team at SFUSD has now been increased by 15 people and their goal is to get teachers and educators paid as soon as possible.

But, President Cassondra Curiel and her delegation said that still isn’t enough. They demanded to speak to those in charge of payroll and want a commitment as to when all teachers and educators will get paid. 

UESF-President-Cassondra-Curiel-and-SFUSD-Superintendent-Vincent-Matthews-by-Daphne-Young-031522-1400x1050, Hundreds of teachers left for months without pay, camp out at SFUSD headquarters, Local News & Views News & Views
UESF President Cassondra Curiel talking with SFUSD Superintendent Vincent Matthews about teachers not getting paid. Dr. Matthews apologized for the payroll problem and talked about what SFUSD is doing to rectify the issue. – Photo: Daphne Young

Until then, UESF members and educators pledged they would remain camped out just outside of Dr. Matthews office – on the 3rd floor – at SFUSD, until they get answers and paychecks.

Stay tuned for more information on this developing story.

Daphne Young is the Education Reporter at the San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper. The Chicago native is an award-winning journalist who’s covered news for radio and TV stations around the country. She attended San Francisco State University and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. If you have an education story that you’d like to see the Bay View cover, please contact Daphne by email: education@sfbayviewnews.wpenginepowered.com.