Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Charter Schools topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board holds public hearing on Dragon Gate Academy charter; decision set for August 26
Summary
The San Francisco Board of Education opened a public hearing on a petition to authorize Dragon Gate Academy, a proposed K–8 Mandarin immersion charter, heard public comment from supporters and opponents, and said the board will consider a staff report and make a decision at a later meeting scheduled for Aug. 26.
The San Francisco Board of Education opened a public hearing July 29 under Education Code procedures to hear community comment on a petition for Dragon Gate Academy, a proposed K–8 Mandarin immersion charter school. The hearing was informational; the board noted staff will issue a written analysis to the board and public before a decision hearing currently scheduled for Aug. 26.
General Counsel Manuel Martinez and district staff explained the statutorily required timetable for a charter petition. Chris Armentrout, the district’s charter liaison, outlined the process: the district will issue a staff report with findings by Aug. 11 and will return to the board with a staff recommendation and an opportunity for board questions and a decision on Aug. 26. Martinez told the board the hearing’s purpose is to gauge community support as required by Education Code §47605(b).
Lead petitioners described Dragon Gate Academy as a tuition‑free K–8 Mandarin immersion school intended to begin in the 2026–27 school year, with an instructional model initially offering 80% Mandarin in kindergarten, scaling toward 50% Mandarin by fourth and fifth grade and introducing Cantonese in upper grades. Petitioners said they had over 200 families expressing interest and that the school would pursue district facilities under Proposition 39 if approved.
Public comment during the hearing reflected sharply divided views. Supporters—parents, community organizations and many Chinese‑language immersion advocates—argued Dragon Gate would expand access to Mandarin immersion, keep families in the city and meet unmet demand. Speakers cited wait lists at existing immersion programs and said the charter would be tuition‑free and serve diverse neighborhoods.
Opponents, including union representatives, some parents and community leaders, warned that a new charter could siphon enrollment and district funds from SFUSD schools, worsen segregation and strain special education services. Several speakers urged the district to expand SFUSD‑run immersion seats instead of authorizing another charter.
Board members did not vote at the hearing. Counsel emphasized that the hearing is the statutory initial step and that the board will receive a staff report analyzing the petition’s academic, financial and operational elements before acting. The board closed the public hearing at 8:55 p.m. and scheduled the analysis and decision hearing on Aug. 26.
