Why parents say new SFUSD school selection policy will disproportionately impact Black students

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A group of parents and community leaders gathered at Third Baptist Church of San Francisco to oppose the San Francisco Unified School District's decision to move away from its lottery-based school assignment system and adopt a neighborhood-based model.

The change marks the first time in more than a decade that the district is changing how elementary school students are assigned to schools. Under the new system, a student's address will determine where they attend school.

At the gathering, Rev. Amos C. Brown encouraged attendees, saying, "We got some power here this afternoon, and we're going to work a miracle in San Francisco."

MORE: SFUSD to replace elementary school lottery with neighborhood-based student assignment

Opponents of the change argued the neighborhood-based system could have negative consequences for Black students. Bivett Brackett, an SFUSD alumnus and parent of two graduates, criticized the move.

"I think it's segregation by another name, but it's still segregation," Brackett said.

Brackett also expressed concerns about disparities in school resources.

"You could see where the least resourced schools, the schools that are at most disrepair, are in the Black neighborhoods," Brackett said.

Not everyone at the meeting opposed ending the lottery system itself. Some attendees said they supported giving families school choice but did not view the neighborhood model as the right alternative.

"Your parents decided what school they felt was most appropriate for you and that selection process. If there was a seat available, was provided for you. And I think that's really the way we need to do it," said Yulanda Williams of the NAACP.

The district has said it will redraw school zones and continue to offer students opportunities to apply for specialized programs.

Brackett said those opportunities should be available to all students.

"There are a lot of affluent parents who say, ' No, I don't want to spend money on private school. Why should I have to when there are good public schools in this city that I want access to?' Well, yeah, everyone wants access to the good ones," Brackett said.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live