San Francisco Board of Education

San Francisco Board of Education. The San Francisco Board of Education is the governing body of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), responsible for setting policy and overseeing the district's operations. Established in the 19th century, the board is composed of seven members elected by the city's voters to four-year terms. Its decisions directly impact the education of over 50,000 students across more than 130 schools, from early childhood programs through high school, within the city and county of San Francisco.

History

The board's origins trace back to the California Gold Rush era, with its first iteration formed in 1851 under the First California State Legislature. Its early history was intertwined with the rapid growth of San Francisco and the establishment of a public school system in a burgeoning American city. Key historical developments include navigating the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, managing the district through periods like the Great Depression and World War II, and playing a central role in the contentious and landmark desegregation efforts following the California Supreme Court case Mendez v. Westminster and the later ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. The board has been at the forefront of numerous educational policy shifts, including the implementation of bilingual education and debates over school funding tied to Proposition 13.

Composition and elections

The board consists of seven commissioners who are elected at-large by the voters of San Francisco in even-numbered years. Elections are nonpartisan, though candidates often receive endorsements from local political organizations like the San Francisco Democratic Party. Members serve staggered four-year terms, with elections typically held in November. The board annually selects from among its members a president and vice president to lead its meetings. Vacancies that occur between elections may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members. The board operates with the support of the superintendent, currently Matt Wayne, and its regular public meetings are held at the San Francisco Unified School District headquarters.

Powers and responsibilities

The board's primary authority is to establish policy for the San Francisco Unified School District. This includes approving the district's annual budget, which exceeds $1 billion, and adopting curriculum standards that align with the California Department of Education framework. It holds the power to hire and evaluate the district superintendent, negotiate contracts with the United Educators of San Francisco, and make decisions regarding school closures, renovations, and property. The board also sets policies on student discipline, special education services, and charter school approvals, operating within the legal confines of the California Education Code and the Brown Act.

Recent controversies and recall efforts

In recent years, the board has been the focus of significant public controversy and scrutiny. Major points of contention have included its handling of school renaming proposals during the COVID-19 pandemic, a complex lottery-based admissions process for Lowell High School, and debates over budget allocations. These issues culminated in a successful recall campaign in 2022, where voters removed three members—Alison Collins, Gabriela López, and Faauuga Moliga—from office. The recall, supported by figures like Mayor London Breed and funded in part by David Sacks, was a historic event marking the first recall of school board members in San Francisco in nearly four decades. The aftermath led to the appointment of new commissioners by Mayor Breed and a shift in the board's policy focus.

Notable members

Throughout its history, the board has included several individuals who later gained prominence in broader political spheres. Dianne Feinstein, who later became Mayor of San Francisco and a long-serving U.S. Senator, served on the board in the 1970s. Other notable former commissioners include Keith Jackson, a former NFL player; Norman Yee, who later served as President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; and Mark Sanchez, a former board president and longtime educator. The board has also been a starting point for numerous local activists and community leaders involved in San Francisco politics.