SF mayoral candidates weigh in on school closures during debate
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Local elections are rapidly approaching and the stakes are high amid mounting pressure on city officials to address San Francisco's homelessness and public health crises, a yet-to-rebound downtown core and impending public school closures.
Driving the news: The five leading mayoral candidates squared off earlier this week in a debate where they shared their views on the San Francisco Unified School District amid superintendent Matt Wayne's recent decision to postpone the school closure recommendations until next month, the San Francisco Examiner reports.
- While the mayor's office does not set policy for the school district, they are tasked with making some decisions that affect students, educators and education nonprofits that support the district.
The frontrunners: Mayor London Breed, former interim mayor of SF Mark Farrell, Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie, and supervisors Aaron Peskin and Ahsha Safaí.
What they're saying: Breed, while not commenting explicitly on school closures, said the district needs "major restructuring."
- Peskin, the sole progressive candidate, said he would work to explore solutions that don't involve closing schools, saying "I'm worried once they are closed, they will never reopen."
- Safai said the mayor's office "needs to be deeply involved" in the school closure process, pointing to how the mayor could lead negotiations between unions and the superintendent.
- Lurie said the closures are inevitable and Farrell, reiterating the fact the mayor's office does not have authority over the school district, said he would have the city "fund programs" designed to support students.
Between the lines: The elected officials with direct control over the school district are part of the Board of Education.
- In November, 11 candidates will be vying for four open seats on the seven-member board.
- The election comes as the district faced a $420 million deficit at the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
What's next: Debate season is upon us, with mayoral candidates set to spar again this week.
- Tune in to Wednesday night's mayoral debate, hosted by KQED and the San Francisco Chronicle, at 7pm. Register for the livestream here.
- On Friday, nonprofit group Chinese for Affirmative Action is hosting an in-person school board candidate forum at Gordon J. Lau Elementary School at 5:30pm.