San Francisco Unified School District is welcoming about 49,000 students back to classrooms Monday for the start of the new school year. The district, the largest in the Bay Area, says it is beginning the year with more permanent teachers following increased hiring and outreach efforts. Superi ntendent Maria Su said 96% of classrooms are starting the year with a permanent teacher. “I’m really excited that we’re starting the school year with 96% of our classrooms filled with a permanent teacher,” Su said. “Obviously, we will still have teachers in all of our classrooms, but having a permanent teacher in the classroom is so, so key. It’s the first time in a long time.” The new school year also comes with a focus on safety outside the classroom. Last week, SFUSD, SFMTA, San Francisco police and the mayor’s office announced changes that include adding crossing guards, clearing crossings and enforcing red curbs at thousands of intersections, as well as installing more speed cameras. San Francisco also plans to lower speed limits around schools to 15 mph by 2028, ahead of state-mandated changes in 2032. NBC Bay Area’s Ginger Conejero Saab has the full report in the video above. ...read more read less