Statement Regarding Leadership Transition in SFUSD

Press Release

The Board of Education of the San Francisco Unified School District and Dr. Matt Wayne have agreed that effective October 18, 2024, Dr. Wayne will no longer serve as Superintendent. The District is grateful for Dr. Wayne’s leadership during a challenging period for the SFUSD. Under Dr. Wayne’s leadership, the District has focused on student outcomes and teaching and learning. He has been an instructional leader with a deep commitment to our students’ success. The District agrees with Dr. Wayne that the time is right for new leadership in SFUSD. We appreciate Dr. Wayne’s service to our community. Click here for a statement from Dr. Wayne.

At their October 22, 2024 Regular Meeting, the San Francisco Board of Education intends to appoint Dr. Maria Su as Superintendent and Dr. Karling Aguilera-Fort as Deputy Superintendent. To facilitate a smooth transition, Dr. Karling Aguilera-Fort will assume responsibilities as Acting Superintendent prior to the start of Dr. Su’s superintendency. 

“As the District continues to navigate difficult decisions ahead, we need a steady hand on the tiller,” said President of the Board of Education Matt Alexander. “I’m thrilled that Dr. Maria Su has agreed to lead SFUSD at this critical juncture. Her deep expertise leading teams and running a large government agency is exactly what we need to stabilize our school district. I’m excited that she will work closely with veteran educator Dr. Karling Aguilera-Fort as we turn the page and create the public schools our students deserve. We are very grateful for Mayor Breed’s continued support for San Francisco public schools.”

Dr. Su is the right leader for the School District to navigate the challenging path ahead. Dr. Su has served as Executive Director of the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families (DCYF) for the last 15 years, guiding the Department through a recession, COVID, and other challenges, all while never failing to deliver for the families and youth of San Francisco.  

“It is a privilege to be considered for this opportunity by the Board of Education, and I am excited to deepen the work we started three weeks ago to stabilize the school district,” said Dr. Maria Su, Superintendent candidate. “San Francisco public schools are the city’s greatest asset. We must come together as a community to take care of our school district. SFUSD students, families, and staff are counting on us.”

SFUSD must deliver a balanced First Interim Budget Report by the December 15 deadline to prevent a potential state takeover. The District needs strong leadership to communicate clearly with families and educators about the current state of the School District and what steps must be taken immediately and in the weeks ahead to ensure that SFUSD can deliver an educational experience essential to student success.

A dynamic organizational leader with a strong track record of building barrier-breaking teams, Dr. Su looks forward to leading SFUSD staff and setting them up for success to deliver on student outcomes. In addition, Dr. Su intends to work closely with educational leaders in California and leverage their wisdom, experience and advice.

“In this next chapter, I am excited to work with Dr. Maria Su, who will bring with her a wealth of experience and expertise to support SFUSD during this time of great need,” said Dr. Karling Aguilera-Fort, Acting SFUSD Superintendent. “Her vision and leadership will undoubtedly marshall tremendous support and resources that the District needs to continue delivering a world-class public education to each and every one of our students.” 

Dr. Su has previously been serving as the co-lead of the City’s School Stabilization Team. That team has been working in collaboration with SFUSD District staff to improve multiple major structural issues so that the district can restore its operational health and maintain local control. The Mayor has made clear that the staffing resources available under the School Stabilization Team will remain available to Dr. Su in her work as she transitions to her new position. 

FAQs

How will this arrangement work?

The Board of Education is appointing Maria to be the new Superintendent. Maria will remain a city employee, as the Superintendent does not need to be an SFUSD employee. Maria will serve under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SFUSD and the City and County of San Francisco where the City will release Maria to serve as Superintendent under the direction of the Board of Education. The MOU will be valid through June 2026.

What does this mean for the School Stabilization Team?

The resources made available by the Mayor under the School Stabilization Team will continue under Maria Su’s direction as Superintendent. 

What are the priorities that Maria Su will focus on?

To stabilize the school district, Dr. Su will work closely with Deputy Superintendent Dr. Karling Aguilera-Fort and district staff to meet SFUSD’s ambitious student outcome goals. Dr. Su’s leadership team will focus on three priorities: 

1. Maintain local control by implementing a budget stabilization plan, which includes a plan to staff schools and deliver educational services and programs critical to student success.
2. Restore trust and public confidence in SF public schools through accurate, timely, and accessible communications, robust community and school outreach, and cultivating strategic partnerships.
3. Restore, remediate, and develop healthy operations systems with improved oversight and accountability.

What will happen to school closures?

At the direction of Board of Education leadership, Dr. Su will stop the current school closure process and focus on addressing the District’s looming structural deficit to avoid state takeover. There will be no school closures in the 2025-2026 school year. The remaining school meetings about closures will be suspended.

Declining student enrollment is not unique to San Francisco. Dr. Su will work with Dr. Karling Aguilera-Fort to mitigate its impacts while ensuring that the District delivers educational services and programs critical to student success, particularly for student populations most vulnerable to the opportunity gaps. Moving forward, SFUSD must consider school mergers or closures as a potential strategy to mitigate the impacts of declining enrollment. 

The Board of Education has made clear that any potential mergers or closures include thorough planning, preparation, and transparently communicating about the following:

• A CDE-certified fiscal analysis
• An independently verified equity audit
• Robust, meaningful community engagement 
• An accessible and thoughtful transition plan
• A thorough analysis of student (re)assignment policies 

We are confident that district leadership and staff have the skills to manage such a process moving forward.

What about the budget?

Addressing the looming structural deficit is one of the top priorities prior to the December 15, 2024 California Department of Education deadline. Dr. Su is committed to continue providing updates and community engagement opportunities around the budget during the school budget development process. 

Is this a city takeover?

No. The Board of Education will be appointing Dr. Maria Su as the Superintendent and she will report to them exclusively. SFUSD needs a strong executive leader who is deeply rooted in San Francisco with a proven track record of success leading a large public institution. Dr. Su was appointed by then-Mayor Newsom, and is a long-time public leader who led the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families for 15 years.

Dr. Su has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children, youth, and families, particularly those who are most vulnerable. She has dedicated the last 20 years of her career in this field, and her desire to take on the superintendency is an extension of her care and stewardship towards a brighter future for San Francisco.

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