On Feb. 13, 2026, San Francisco Unified School District officials and the teachers union announced a tentative agreement to end the district’s first teachers strike in 47 years. Public schools will remain closed Friday and are scheduled to reopen Wednesday following Presidents Day and Lunar New Year holidays. The agreement includes a 4% raise for teachers over two years and an 8.5% raise for paraprofessionals and classified employees, along with fully funded healthcare for union members and their dependents.
The strike drew thousands of educators, parents, students, and supporters to rallies across the city, highlighting concerns about teacher pay, staffing shortages, and healthcare costs. Many parents expressed relief at the resolution but also frustration over the disruption caused by the labor dispute. According to Sarah Gudernatch Smith, a parent at Francis Scott Key Elementary School, “We’re so proud of the teachers for fighting for what they and our students deserve and to the parents and community for rallying around them. We’re very ready to go back to school Wednesday and hope it never has to come to this again.”
During the strike, picketers marched through downtown San Francisco while city officials joined demonstrations in support of better compensation for educators. Supervisor Jackie Fielder said many teachers earn below San Francisco’s low-income threshold despite high district reserves: “I don’t understand how, in a city so wealthy, we would let teachers continue to get paid below what is considered low income.”
Negotiations were marked by disagreements between union leaders and district officials over proposals related to special-education staffing, dependent healthcare funding, and wage increases. Superintendent Maria Su said state oversight limited financial flexibility: “That’s the reality of where we are. We do not have a lot of money.” State Superintendent Tony Thurmond participated briefly in mediation but reaffirmed that offers must be financially responsible.
The strike prompted solidarity actions from other California districts facing similar contract disputes. Students reported challenges with remote assignments during school closures while local museums offered free or discounted admission for affected families.
The tentative deal now awaits approval from United Educators of San Francisco members before becoming final.
