Few had sympathy for the six-figure-earning superintendent of the San Francisco school district as she sobbed over closures during a teachers’ strike, while sending her own children off to attend a hoity-toity private school.
Maria Su faced intense backlash this week as it was revealed she made $385,000 annually as teachers walked out of class in efforts to secure better wages, health benefits, and more resources for students with special needs, according to KTVU.
Su became emotional on February 6 while discussing the impact the school closure would have on students and even tried to relate to those opposed to her.
The superintendent, who earns five times more than a 10-year teacher with tenure, said: ‘I know the importance of our teachers having fair and competitive and livable wages. It is expensive to be here in the city.’
The teachers’ strike ended after four days, and the students are expected back on February 18.
Su, who appeared to be wearing designer shoes, also had no answer for a reporter who asked her about the disparity between her salary and that of her average teacher, according to the outlet.
In another attempt to find common ground, Su highlighted how she grew up in the public school system, but did not comment on a question about her children attending private school.
The superintendent’s Board of Education contract shows that she could earn a two percent raise in June, bringing her salary to $392,700, if she meets certain goals and the board approves it, the publication noted.
The superintendent of the San Francisco school district, Maria Su, earns $385,000 as she was slammed this past week as her teachers went on strike
Su appeared ecstatic on February 13 when announcing that the district and the teacher union had reached a deal
While the teachers’ union was satisfied with five percent raises over two years and fully funded family healthcare, they were initially distraught with Su in particular.
Teachers held signs plastered with the superintendent’s face as they chanted about their demands.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that, as it drizzled, one sign read: ‘Is this rain or Maria Su’s crocodile tears pretending she cares about our kids?’
Another teacher held up a sign which said: ‘Boo Su. Give us a fair contract now.’
Jennifer Erskine-Ogden, an eighth-grade science teacher at Presidio Middle School, who held up the crocodile tears sign, told the outlet: ‘She knew this was coming.’
‘We’ve done two-strike votes. You don’t cry on a Friday and pretend you care about the kids. She should have come to the table before now.’
Su appeared ecstatic on February 13 when announcing that the district and the teacher union had reached a deal.
‘I am pleased to stand here to announce that we have a tentative agreement to get our kids back into school,’ she said.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Maria Su for comment.
