Thread by @PPSSFBoardWatch

The meeting is about to start! There will be interpretation in Spanish and Cantonese at this meeting #BoardWatch

It has now been called to order #BoardWatch

@marksanchezsf this is going to be a long and probably emotional meeting and we expect decorum and respect. Please do not talk over others #BoardWatch

@SFUSD_Supe echoes the sentiments from President Mark Sanchez about being respectful and not talking over each other. #BoardWatch

@SFUSD_Supe SFUSD's enrollment fair will be Nov 6-13th and will be all virtual. Registration is not required but it is encouraged to make the experience as best as possible. Learn more here sfusd.edu/schools/enroll… #BoardWatch

@SFUSD_Supe this is the last board of education meeting before the general election on Nov 3rd. Make sure you and your family and friends have a voting plan. Vote yes on Prop J and Prop 15 #BoardWatch

Student delegates collaborated with Lowell's representatives to get students opinions on the Lowell policy change. Thank you to Lowell Student Association for participating and doing this in such a short amount of time #BoardWatch

Two Rave Awards tonight! The first Rave award is going to Yasmir Navaz! Thank you for your work as a special ed teacher and the ways you support students and their families! #BoardWatch

The second Rave Aware is going to Kaitlin Bowles who is a social worker at Clarendon! Thank you for your work bringing students together! #BoardWatch

Some items are going to be out of order. The Resolution for Black Studies is being moved up, then we will talk about Lowell #BoardWatch

@stevoncook reads out the The Black Studies Resolution: which supports creating a K-12 Black studies curriculum that honors Black lives, fully represents the contributions of Black people in global society & advances the Ideology of Black Liberation for Black Scholars at SFUSD

@stevoncook be it further resolved that SFUSD adopts the following goals in grades PK-5 students form a sense of pride for the accomplishments of Black in global society and their local communities #BoardWatch

@stevoncook the Board of Education recommends the Superintendent to secure participation from from the San Francisco State University Africana studies department #BoardWatch

@stevoncook the Board of Education recommends the Superintendent to raise a Black Studies Fund to fully support this effort #BoardWatch

To learn more about the resolution you can read about it here go.boarddocs.com/ca/sfusd/Board… and here go.boarddocs.com/ca/sfusd/Board… #BoardWatch

There will now be public comment. Each person is getting two minutes and it will last for a total of 30 minutes #BoardWatch

Public comment: We thank you for the intent and the collaboration with NAACP. When Black students open their textbooks and see someone that looks like them, that is awesome #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Parent brought up focusing on opening schools #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Thank you for this important work! #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Representing the Latin American Teachers Association. Thrilled with this well developed resolution and it being implemented for all students at SFUSD #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Many many thanks for this wonderful resolution. It's never the wrong time to talk about anti-racist work and the many many contributions of Black Americans and Black people in the world. The specificity is very helpful. #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Appreciates the part of curriculum that looks at African civilizations. More Americans need to learn about this in terms of world history. #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Program director for 100% College Prep, member of the SF Alliance of Black Educators, co-lead for Mega Black Education Equity sub-committee. Loves this resolution, especially how it goes across all academic subjects. Thank you Commissioner Cook #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Voicing support for this resolution and the resolutions that are creating equity. #BoardWatch

Public Comment: There is so much we can achieve when we bring together all of these organizations and it will make our students so much more well-rounded. The CAC stands in solidarity and is looking to be part of the work #BoardWatch

Public Comment: As a Lowell graduate and a potential Lowell parent and supports this resolution. The budget might look like a lot, but the actual amount is only 1% of the budget, and then it doesn't sound like enough. #BoardWatch

Public Comment: APAC leader that voices their appreciation for this resolution. APAC would like to have a seat on the advisory committee and to have a seat at the table #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Previous SFUSD student and current SFUSD parent and they are incredibly happy to see this being taught at school not just at home #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Membership chair for CAC, tickled that this resolution has been brought forward. It will benefit so many students, not just African American students. Black Lives Matter. African American advisory committee should have a say in this #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Very excited about this resolution. It's amazing to see all students feel represented #BoardWatch

Public Comment: This represents years and years of work. However we do that, it needs to get done. Nothing is just given, nothing has just been given to Black people. We fought and we continue to fight for our young people. This is important so our policy aligns with our values.

Public Comment: Current Lowell student brought up how this is a great resolution and wants to know how this will be implemented so then students who are older can still get this important education #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Previous SFUSD student that appreciates this resolution and the people that are keeping this moving #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Solidarity with Black students and families and ready to work towards anti-racism #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Person that was misrepresented last week and wanted to correct that statement #BoardWatch

Public Comment: We need to have context when we implement this like other ethnic studies. Excited to celebrate all students from all backgrounds and to have this new context #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Excited about this resolution with its accurate and complete history. In addition to looking at Black contributions in American history and more locally. Loved working with Black educators here in SF and it really honors that #BoardWatch

Public Comment: Parent that thinks this resolution is a great compliment to many things that are already happening in the district. Thank you to educators who will be weaving this into the curriculum #BoardWatch

That is the end of public comment #BoardWatch

Opening up to board and student delegate comment #BoardWatch

Student delegate Correa Almanza, "Black studies is a necessary thing each school needs and each student deserves. Sense of identity is one of the most important things someone can have...With my whole heart I support this resolution." #BoardWatch

@rpnorton it can be hard to follow the student delegates since they speak so well. We've had a number of resolutions passed and think the question is important: how are we aligning this work in our curriculum? #BoardWatch

@SFUSD_Supe there have been a number of resolutions passed around curriculum of marginalized people. The curriculum dept has been looking at these and thinking through what does this curriculum look like? They have been tracking to see how things are going #BoardWatch

@SFUSD_Supe in terms of alignment: Most of these have come out in the past twelve months and then distance learning started so we are tracking but we don't entirely know how these all align yet #BoardWatch

We want to see alignment happen in a comprehensive way. How do we do this when the resources don't match this desire and need? #BoardWatch

There needs to be a space where all students interact with Black history but also where they interact with Black futures #BoardWatch

There is direct alignment with pedagogical practices between Ethnic studies and Black studies #BoardWatch

It comes to this idea of infusion, why are you doing what you are doing, concepts, and context. Looking to see what it is like to just have one off class but working together as a community to infuse ethnic studies concepts #BoardWatch

@AliMCollins worked on the equity studies resolution and created a framework for all of this work. At the time, there was not any social studies staff in office. On the one hand there is deferred maintenance and now we see the results of that #BoardWatch

@AliMCollins it was a pilot that was supposed to expand but it didn't. This is the work. A previous resolution specifically calls for looking at Asian-American books and histories. Concerned that these are resolutions that are passed and usually by a majority of the BOE. Cont.

Why have we been able to pass other things that become successful but resolutions like this pass and there aren't dashboards or anything to show the community how the work is being done. We need to hold our staff accountable and our superintendent accountable #BoardWatch

@jennyhlam Wholly support this resolution and creating a society that is better and is good. Important for our Black students and all students towards building a better world #BoardWatch

@stevoncook wants to add the African-American Parent Advisory Council for partnerships in the resolution #BoardWatch

@stevoncook I feel really grateful to be a part of a city and a country for discourse like this. When I was first board chair, I recited a Maya Angelou quote instead of the pledge of allegiance...There will be challenges but there are stakeholders that want to build this with you

@AliMCollins appreciate Commissioner Cooks statements. This is the work. It's not just social studies, this is not just the work of one class but this is also through the equity studies resolution we will see more visibility in other classes like math, science, and humanities

@lopez4schools apologies about last week and I fully support this resolution. Wanted to thank Commissioner Cook for making this a reality #BoardWatch

@marksanchezsf everyone on the board is concerned about implementation and tracking of progress. Role call for voting. Unanimous vote! #BlackStudiesResolution #BoardWatch

We will now be talking about Lowell High School admission #BoardWatch

Public comment will last for 1 hour. The first half hour for those who support the proposal. The second half hour for those that oppose the proposal #BoardWatch

There was some difficulty with those that were agitated about the proposal talking over student delegates and that is not allowed #BoardWatch

At some point the board of education would like to hear specifically from students. Unclear how they will know it is a student but going to run with it #BoardWatch

Public Comment for Proposal: The Lowell administrative team would like to make it clear they are excited to greet, teach, and care no matter who ends up going to Lowell next year #BoardWatch

Public Comment for Prop: Applaud the district and the board of education for this proposal. Want this to last more than one year. Every student should feel welcome no matter where they go to school. Many African-American students do not feel welcome at Lowell & that should change

Public Comment for Prop: Many of the public comments at the last meeting came from a place of privilege. There should not be any additional barriers to going to Lowell #BoardWatch

Public Comment for Prop: Teacher at SFUSD and SFUSD graduate. Sits on committee where they read student admission letters to Lowell. Has seen African-American students get into Lowell and choose not to go because of the lack of African-American students #BoardWatch

Public Comment for Prop: Neither for nor against, limiting comments to 30 minutes for and 30 minutes against is not helpful and not democratic. This is a democratic process and you should allow people to speak their mind #BoardWatch

Public Comment for Prop: Very in support & thinks that Lowell is a pressure cooker. If we want diverse schools, we need to ensure that there is good student success. Want to make sure students are successful #BoardWatch

Public Comment for Prop: Lowell is just a talented and gifted program. San Franciscans will look back and wondered how we let Lowell go on like this for so long #BoardWatch

Public Comment for Prop: For too long the admissions has been tied to grades and test scores. Biased towards upper income students. It will most likely do more for diversity of the school than any policy in the past #BoardWatch

Public Comment for Prop: Current Lowell student. Support for this policy. Looking forward, hoping to look over the admissions policy and how it can be changed. In favor of this proposal #BoardWatch

Public Comment for Prop: In favor of the lottery for this year only. The only equitable way given there was only one semester of in person grades. 3 suggestions: No tie-breakers except for Willie-Brown, admitting students who put it as their first school, cut off due to time

Public Comment for Prop: Stands with Shavon completely. As a Black woman who graduated from Lowell 5 years ago. Lowell has a long way to go for Lowell to be equitable. #BoardWatch

Public Comment for Prop: Stand with Shavon Hines-Foster. Standing there and standing by for her. #BoardWatch

Public Comment for Prop: Voice support for this lottery alternative especially given the pandemic. Trust the school district has done what it can do in the parameters of trying to do what is best for students. This should be a step towards making Lowell a more equitable space

Public Comment for Prop: Speaker wants to add an essay requirement and drop sibling preference.

Public Comment for Prop: Commenter believes that the lottery process does not address the issue of diversity itself.

Public Comment for Prop: Student from Lowell does not believe that the lottery system is the best way to encourage diversity.

Public Comment for Prop: "It's opening the doors for many students who may not have been able to apply even though, if given the opportunity, they would be able to excel."

Public Comment for Prop: "The idea that allowing students with different scores to attend would lower the quality of the school is unfounded at best."

Public Comment for Prop: "It has been clear to me that {...} any merit based admissions system will automatically produce inequitable outcomes."

Public Comment Against: "To say everyone should have an opportunity to attend a top ranked school is degrading to black and brown students. [...] In the real world, you don't receive awards for just showing up."

Public Comment Against: Young students who have worked hard shouldn't be denied the opportunity to go to Lowell because of a random lottery system.

Public Comment Against: If the learning environment is opened up to all students, it will not maintain the standard of greatness it has maintained until this point.

Public Comment Against: Commenter suggests a combination of both positions. A percentage of students admitted on merit, and another percentage admitted on the lottery system.

Public Comment Against: Commenter suggests an essay alternative to the lottery system.

Public Comment Against: Lowell's reputation is due to academic competition. A lottery system would lead to gifted students seeking other opportunities.

Public Comment Against: Pro-comments are focused on diversity and equity, but a lottery will not necessarily address that.

Public Comment Against: The lottery is a disservice to 8th graders who have worked so hard only for their admission to be left up to randomness.

Public Comment Against: Rather than lower our best school to the least common denominator, we should bolster our other high schools to be like Lowell.

Public Comment Against: The essence of excellence is about having high standards and maintaining them. Moving to a lottery based admissions system will destroy Lowell's standards of excellence.

Extra time has been given for comment from specifically students pro and against.

"A lottery isn't perfect but neither is a completely merit-based system."

"Diversity is important, but it's not fair for those of us who worked hard. [Students] should be able to get into Lowell [regardless of a lottery system]."

"I think we need to spread the wealth in Lowell. [...] We need to start investing in our other public high schools and bring up the entire district."

"If you take away admissions, Lowell becomes another public school. [...] Additionally, instead of doing a lottery system, those without academic resources should be provided with those resources."

"[Lowell] is a place that is fostering such a negative environment that it can't exist in its current form. The merit-based admissions process is a big part of that."

Public comment has now ended.

"At this time I would like to propose an amendment to the current policy [...] to create a task force looking at the different considerations and revisions to the admissions policy looking forward." @jennyhlam

"I understand that students were looking forward to Lowell above other private schools, but our schools offer greatness all across the board. It is the SFUSD student who gets themselves into college, not the school."

Students will not be admitted into the lottery system unless they opt to apply to Lowell, as clarified by Shavonne Hines-Foster and the board.

"This is not in response to diversity at Lowell, this is in response to a pandemic." - Shavonne Hines-Foster

"Grades and standardized test scores are automatic barriers for non-white and non-Asian students. [...] To use this as a measurement for admission to a public school is to create a barrier that is specifically anti-black and brown." - Gabriela Lopez

"Here's what I'm gonna do about it-- I will be a tireless advocate to those who are harmed by these conversations. It is not okay for parents to shout at and disparage black and Latinx student leaders. [...] I invite the board to do the same."
@AliMCollins

"I would encourage [...] a one-year allowance because of the pandemic." @StevonCook

"What I'm hearing from [black and brown] families isn't about integrating the schools. They want us to address the toxic culture there right now. [...] If we're going to write something, we should address what Shavonne and other delegates are already asking for." @AliMCollins

"If we do amend this, we need to be explicit in our language about the culture of the school itself, which is toxic." @marksanchezsf

"Given what so many commissioners have said about the Lowell process, this current process without the amendment means that the board would have to take affirmative action to make any sort of change." @rpnorton

"This creates a task force to determine Lowell entrance requirements after the next school year" @marksanchezsf

So it specifically addresses enrollment, but does not address the toxic culture. #BoardWatch

Student Delegate Shavonne states that she believes there should be cultural group representatives within this resolution so that race struggles are addressed. #BoardWatch

"We need to be specific because when we aren't specific, we don't see changes when it comes to Black people. I am just going to name it." @AliMCollins #BoardWatch

"It is possible to write an entire new resolution because this was a staff proposal as a response to the pandemic...but we are conflicting a broader discussion that needs to happen with our decision to do pass/fail." @stevoncook #BoardWatch

The current amendment has been withdrawn to give time for revision. #BoardWatch

Board of Education Commissioners and student delegates are voting on the Superintendent's current resolution proposal.

Everyone votes yes. #BoardWatch