San Francisco’s newly appointed Superintendent, Maria Su, kicked off her first public engagement on October 23rd by visiting Yick Wo Elementary School in Chinatown alongside Mayor London Breed. During this visit, Su interacted with fourth graders and school staff, expressing her commitment to improving the school district’s operations, balancing the budget, and rebuilding community trust.
Following the interaction, Su and Breed held a press conference in the school library where Su emphasized that the priority for the district is to ensure financial stability. She highlighted the importance of collaborating with the California Department of Education to submit compliant budgets that will allow the district to retain local control.
“I won’t sugarcoat the challenges we face. We need to take immediate action to present a balanced budget. This is crucial for maintaining the district’s autonomy, especially given the multifaceted financial challenges we currently face,” Su stated. “Beyond the budget deficit, our operational systems exhibit numerous inefficiencies.”
Su pointed out various system flaws that require deep investigation and resolution to ensure the long-term sustainability of the district. She candidly noted that gathering data and formulating a comprehensive response plan will take time. Su plans to meet with the district’s Chief Financial Officer to meticulously review the budget, ensuring that every expenditure aligns with the district’s real needs. She committed to implementing a “belt-tightening” approach to reduce unnecessary spending, ensuring that funds are allocated to the areas that will yield the highest value.
In addition to financial hurdles, Su emphasized her second major goal: to rebuild trust both within and outside the district, which she deemed critical for effective operations. She acknowledged that the district’s reputation has been tarnished in recent years, resulting in a trust crisis among staff, parents, and the broader community. “Trust is the foundation of our success.”
“Negative information about the district has left students and parents feeling disheartened and anxious. We need to demonstrate through our actions that we are fighting for their future, rebuilding a sense of stability and hope,” Su said, vowing to work closely with teachers, principals, students, and parents to ensure their voices are heard and their needs met.
Mayor Breed assured attendees that the city will continue to support the district’s financial recovery efforts and provide assistance in resource allocation and policy development to ensure a high-quality education for every student.
Throughout the Q&A session, Su maintained an optimistic outlook despite the daunting challenges. “We have a lot of work ahead of us. But if we join forces, we can overcome these obstacles and build a stronger district together,” she concluded.
