FCMAT is the state entity the story is referring to and they do really critical work:
www.fcmat.org/Publications...
www.fcmat.org/Publications...
September 23, 2025 at 4:31 AM
FCMAT is the state entity the story is referring to and they do really critical work:
www.fcmat.org/Publications...
www.fcmat.org/Publications...
District update: they are absolutely insolvent and are going to be taken over by the state. Which they had coming for hiring cronies and family for jobs they weren’t qualified for.
Anyway, the state will be selecting an administrator in the absence of a district superintendent.
Anyway, the state will be selecting an administrator in the absence of a district superintendent.
June 17, 2025 at 11:19 PM
District update: they are absolutely insolvent and are going to be taken over by the state. Which they had coming for hiring cronies and family for jobs they weren’t qualified for.
Anyway, the state will be selecting an administrator in the absence of a district superintendent.
Anyway, the state will be selecting an administrator in the absence of a district superintendent.
There’s been a long period of Q&A with the state FCMAT guy at the school board meeting, and he’s talking about sale-leasebacks for their facilities and other complicated financing for distressed assets that’s in my world…not a world that a public school district should get anywhere close to.
April 10, 2025 at 3:57 AM
There’s been a long period of Q&A with the state FCMAT guy at the school board meeting, and he’s talking about sale-leasebacks for their facilities and other complicated financing for distressed assets that’s in my world…not a world that a public school district should get anywhere close to.
Presenter reiterates that FCMAT uses statewide averages, not quality indicators, for caseloads. Highlights collaboration at state meetings as key to sharing best practices and using data to improve outcomes. Emphasizes the value of SFUSD’s qualified staff and investing in them. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Presenter reiterates that FCMAT uses statewide averages, not quality indicators, for caseloads. Highlights collaboration at state meetings as key to sharing best practices and using data to improve outcomes. Emphasizes the value of SFUSD’s qualified staff and investing in them. #BoardWatch
Commissioner asks about workload vs. caseload. Presenter says FCMAT didn’t assess IEP minutes or workload, only caseload. Notes SFUSD’s 1:22 ratio aims to reflect workload better than the state max, but measuring workload remains complex. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Commissioner asks about workload vs. caseload. Presenter says FCMAT didn’t assess IEP minutes or workload, only caseload. Notes SFUSD’s 1:22 ratio aims to reflect workload better than the state max, but measuring workload remains complex. #BoardWatch
Presenter apologizes for the report not being uploaded with the slides and agrees to provide clearer responses to FCMAT recommendations in the future. Plans to return with a detailed update on improvements and engagement efforts. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Presenter apologizes for the report not being uploaded with the slides and agrees to provide clearer responses to FCMAT recommendations in the future. Plans to return with a detailed update on improvements and engagement efforts. #BoardWatch
A commissioner requests earlier public and board access to reports, noting the full FCMAT report wasn’t seen ahead of the meeting—only the presentation. Also asks if future reports can include staff responses to recommendations, as done previously. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 3:11 AM
A commissioner requests earlier public and board access to reports, noting the full FCMAT report wasn’t seen ahead of the meeting—only the presentation. Also asks if future reports can include staff responses to recommendations, as done previously. #BoardWatch
FCMAT notes SFUSD has more related service staff than most districts. Reminds that all districts must use general funds to cover special ed due to chronic underfunding—federal support covers far less than intended 40%. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 3:07 AM
FCMAT notes SFUSD has more related service staff than most districts. Reminds that all districts must use general funds to cover special ed due to chronic underfunding—federal support covers far less than intended 40%. #BoardWatch
Research shows overuse of 1:1 paraeducators may reduce teacher engagement and increase student dependency. FCMAT recommends assessing needs carefully, considering partial-day or flexible support based on individual student needs. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Research shows overuse of 1:1 paraeducators may reduce teacher engagement and increase student dependency. FCMAT recommends assessing needs carefully, considering partial-day or flexible support based on individual student needs. #BoardWatch
FCMAT recommends revisiting paraeducator ratios as class sizes grow, noting a post-COVID rise in student needs. Warns against over-reliance on 1:1 paras and suggests using a structured rubric during assessments for better resource use. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 3:03 AM
FCMAT recommends revisiting paraeducator ratios as class sizes grow, noting a post-COVID rise in student needs. Warns against over-reliance on 1:1 paras and suggests using a structured rubric during assessments for better resource use. #BoardWatch
SFUSD meets key targets for least restrictive environment in both preschool and school-age groups. FCMAT urges preserving this strength when adjusting staffing. Also suggests using districtwide programs with varied specialist support to serve more students. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 3:00 AM
SFUSD meets key targets for least restrictive environment in both preschool and school-age groups. FCMAT urges preserving this strength when adjusting staffing. Also suggests using districtwide programs with varied specialist support to serve more students. #BoardWatch
Some students are placed in special ed due to lack of other supports, not because they need it. FCMAT stresses following legal criteria and expanding general ed interventions to reduce misidentification and ease specialist caseloads. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Some students are placed in special ed due to lack of other supports, not because they need it. FCMAT stresses following legal criteria and expanding general ed interventions to reduce misidentification and ease specialist caseloads. #BoardWatch
FCMAT highlights rising autism rates in SFUSD, a statewide trend. Recommends strengthening MTSS and ensuring consistent eligibility and support practices across schools to avoid misidentification and uneven special ed access. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 2:56 AM
FCMAT highlights rising autism rates in SFUSD, a statewide trend. Recommends strengthening MTSS and ensuring consistent eligibility and support practices across schools to avoid misidentification and uneven special ed access. #BoardWatch
FCMAT notes SFUSD faces a challenge: general ed enrollment is declining while special ed enrollment is rising. Since special ed funding is tied to general ed numbers, this results in less funding despite growing needs.
April 9, 2025 at 2:54 AM
FCMAT notes SFUSD faces a challenge: general ed enrollment is declining while special ed enrollment is rising. Since special ed funding is tied to general ed numbers, this results in less funding despite growing needs.
FCMAT representative emphasizes that the special education review was voluntary and commends SFUSD for its courage in seeking external feedback. Notes that the report focuses on areas needing improvement, not a full picture of strengths.
April 9, 2025 at 2:52 AM
FCMAT representative emphasizes that the special education review was voluntary and commends SFUSD for its courage in seeking external feedback. Notes that the report focuses on areas needing improvement, not a full picture of strengths.
Assistant Superintendent for Special Ed acknowledges the intense focus on the department, calling it both unnerving and necessary. Emphasizes that the FCMAT review was voluntary and meant to assess systems needing improvement. Commits to inclusive decision-making with families and departments.
April 9, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Assistant Superintendent for Special Ed acknowledges the intense focus on the department, calling it both unnerving and necessary. Emphasizes that the FCMAT review was voluntary and meant to assess systems needing improvement. Commits to inclusive decision-making with families and departments.
Speaker from Support for Families with Children with Disabilities raises concerns about the FCMAT report lacking breakdowns by race, disability type, or ELL status. Calls for more transparency on special ed settlements, complaints, and 504 plan inclusion. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Speaker from Support for Families with Children with Disabilities raises concerns about the FCMAT report lacking breakdowns by race, disability type, or ELL status. Calls for more transparency on special ed settlements, complaints, and 504 plan inclusion. #BoardWatch
Speaker says the FCMAT report came too late for public review and uses unrealistic “industry standards” that ignore school realities. Highlights overcrowded classes with high ELL and special ed needs. Calls the report ableist and urges real data-driven solutions. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Speaker says the FCMAT report came too late for public review and uses unrealistic “industry standards” that ignore school realities. Highlights overcrowded classes with high ELL and special ed needs. Calls the report ableist and urges real data-driven solutions. #BoardWatch
Public school parent slams the special ed report as “reckless,” saying larger caseloads put students and staff at risk. Calls for an independent audit beyond FCMAT, citing past support for waivers during the pandemic as proof of misplaced priorities. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Public school parent slams the special ed report as “reckless,” saying larger caseloads put students and staff at risk. Calls for an independent audit beyond FCMAT, citing past support for waivers during the pandemic as proof of misplaced priorities. #BoardWatch
Public comment raises concern over the FCMAT report lacking focus on student outcomes. Criticizes comparing SFUSD to underperforming state norms and warns that increasing caseloads for resource specialists will worsen turnover and strain HR. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Public comment raises concern over the FCMAT report lacking focus on student outcomes. Criticizes comparing SFUSD to underperforming state norms and warns that increasing caseloads for resource specialists will worsen turnover and strain HR. #BoardWatch
Board acknowledges the FCMAT report; no fiscal update this meeting. Public comment is open until 8 PM or for 1 hour max. Speakers get 1 minute each. Students go first, followed by public in-person and remote comments. Written comments accepted by email. #BoardWatch
April 9, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Board acknowledges the FCMAT report; no fiscal update this meeting. Public comment is open until 8 PM or for 1 hour max. Speakers get 1 minute each. Students go first, followed by public in-person and remote comments. Written comments accepted by email. #BoardWatch
CA school districts weighed down by new costs of child sexual assaults: billions in claims for victims now adults #FCMAT #CSBA my latest
edsource.org/2025/schools...
edsource.org/2025/schools...
California school districts are weighed down by new costs of old sexual assaults
A 2019 state law widened districts’ liability for past sexual assaults. A report found so far it spurred $2 billion to $3 billion in claims filed on students’ behalf.
edsource.org
February 10, 2025 at 4:41 PM
CA school districts weighed down by new costs of child sexual assaults: billions in claims for victims now adults #FCMAT #CSBA my latest
edsource.org/2025/schools...
edsource.org/2025/schools...
FCMAT arrived with terrible unintended consequences. Its latest victim is Weed Elementary school. tultican.com/2025/01/28/f... #EducationMatters
FCMAT Attacks Weed Elementary
By Thomas Ultican 1/28/2025 In 1992, California inaugurated the Fiscal Crisis Management Assist Team (FCMAT) in the aftermath of the Richmond School District bankruptcy. It was set up as a quasi-au…
tultican.com
January 31, 2025 at 2:22 PM
FCMAT arrived with terrible unintended consequences. Its latest victim is Weed Elementary school. tultican.com/2025/01/28/f... #EducationMatters
The FCMAT attack on Weed Elementary is another example of why this California program should be ended. tultican.com/2025/01/28/f... #EducationMatters
FCMAT Attacks Weed Elementary
By Thomas Ultican 1/28/2025 In 1992, California inaugurated the Fiscal Crisis Management Assist Team (FCMAT) in the aftermath of the Richmond School District bankruptcy. It was set up as a quasi-au…
tultican.com
January 30, 2025 at 2:55 PM
The FCMAT attack on Weed Elementary is another example of why this California program should be ended. tultican.com/2025/01/28/f... #EducationMatters
FCMAT Attacks Weed Elementary tultican.com/2025/01/28/f...
FCMAT Attacks Weed Elementary
By Thomas Ultican 1/28/2025 In 1992, California inaugurated the Fiscal Crisis Management Assist Team (FCMAT) in the aftermath of the Richmond School District bankruptcy. It was set up as a quasi-au…
tultican.com
January 29, 2025 at 12:17 PM
FCMAT Attacks Weed Elementary tultican.com/2025/01/28/f...