9/18/25 Newsletter
Our 7-member Board of Education plays a critical role in shaping our public schools. Its core mission is to hold the superintendent accountable and to keep the district laser-focused on the outcomes that matter most for kids—like 3rd grade literacy, 8th grade math, graduating high school career- or college-ready. When commissioners stay focused, progress follows; when they drift, students pay the price. Want to learn more about the Board of Education, what they do, and why it matters? RSVP for our upcoming “BOE 101” on Wednesday, 10/22 8-9pm via Zoom; our program will be followed by an engaging Q&A with current BOE President Phil Kim.
A bit more about the BOE: The district’s Vision, Values, Goals, and Guardrails (VVGG) framework was adopted by the school board back in 2022 and continues to guide its work. Introduced by former Board President Jenny Lam, VVGG gave SFUSD the ability to monitor progress towards improved student outcomes over time, even and especially during times of tough budget decisions. But even with this important framework, the district and board aren’t immune to distractions, and even in recent months we began to see some internal and external issues impact the board’s focus.Why do we care about the Board of Education? SF Parents’ work is all about keeping student success at the center of every district decision. SF Parents Coalition organizes around issues impacting teaching and learning, and stays laser-focused on how the BOE and the Superintendent are delivering for our city’s kids. SF Parent Action steps in every other year to make sure we elect BOE leaders who reflect those values. In 2026, San Francisco will see not one but TWO Board of Education elections, first in June, then in November.
San Francisco families will confront two decisive Board elections in 2026 that will shape our schools for years to come.
- June 2026 – Special Election: This race will fill the remainder of former Commissioner Lainie Motamedi’s seat, now occupied by President Phil Kim, who has already signed up to run. This race will be a critical test of his leadership.
- November 2026 – Three Seats: Seats currently held by Phil Kim, Lisa Weissman-Ward, and Alida Fisher will be on the ballot. These elections are far more than routine politics, they are a rallying point for parents, teachers, and voters to demand a board that is disciplined, focused, and accountable to students.
SF Parent Action will once again spearhead a parent-powered endorsement process, making sure the voices of those most impacted—our families—guide these critical decisions. Stay tuned for those details in the coming months.
This month, we are thrilled to kick off our third cohort of SF Parent Action’s Board of Ed Bootcamp Fellows.
In the years between elections, we build the city’s education leadership pipeline by educating and training parent, teacher, and community leaders on opportunities all the way from the School Site Council to elected office such as the SFUSD Board of Education.
Our inaugural cohort of Board Bootcamp Fellows.
This new cohort of parents, educators, and advocates will master a strong understanding of California’s public education system, SF’s political landscape, and will prepare to take on the responsibility of various forms of education leadership. Their deep commitment to public schools and unwavering focus on student success will drive the change our kids need.
When the Board of Education stays focused, students win. With two elections ahead and a new cohort of SF Parents BOE Bootcamp Fellows ready to learn and lead, we have a unique opportunity to affect several layers of leadership that our public school students deserve. This work isn’t about elections. It’s about building a board that listens, stays disciplined, and keeps its eyes on what matters most: student success. Together, we are turning that vision into reality.
In community,
Giovanna Soto & the team at SF Parents (Action!)
Don’t forget to RSVP for our 10/22 BOE 101!
Families deserve to know how the Board of Education works and why it matters for SFUSD students. Join us on Wednesday, October 22 at 8 pm on Zoom for a session covering the basics and what you need to know, followed by a Q&A with Board President Phil Kim. Bring your questions and get a clearer picture of how board decisions shape our schools.
Founded in the summer of 2020, SF Parent Action is the sister arm of SF Parent Coalition. SF Parent Action advocates for policies and elected officials who put the needs of San Francisco’s public school students first. Our mission is to empower public school parents in San Francisco to advocate for policy change and local candidates who support public school families and students. www.sfparentaction.org