Superintendent Hsu tightens executive cabinet and posts key leadership roles after $114 million reductions

Superintendent Dr. Lamia Hsu presented a reconstituted executive cabinet and a superintendent leadership team to the San Francisco Board of Education as part of the district's effort to align strategy and operations after the recent budget reductions.

Hsu said the district cut roughly $114 million and reduced about 500 full-time-equivalent positions; she said approximately 350 of those FTEs represented staff who were providing services in the system. "That was at significant cost," Hsu said, and the updated leadership structure is intended to create clearer accountability and coordination across divisions.

What the reorganization does

Hsu said she streamlined the executive cabinet to include the general counsel, the deputy superintendent of educational services (to be hired), the deputy superintendent of business services and operations (recently hired), the associate superintendent of human resources, and the head of communications and governance. The superintendent leadership team will meet frequently to coordinate major initiatives and to align divisional responsibilities with the board-adopted vision, values, goals and guardrails (VVGGs).

Hsu said the full org chart is published on the district website and that it is a "living, breathing document" that will be updated as hires occur and as roles shift.

Board questions and clarifications

Several commissioners asked for additional detail on reporting lines, vacancies and mid-level reassignments. Commissioner Ray and Commissioner Fisher pressed for clarity about interim arrangements when senior positions are vacant; the superintendent said most vacant senior roles have interim leaders in place and that the SPED head position had been posted with first-round interviews completed that day.

Commissioner Fisher raised the district's dual role as a Local Education Agency and County Office of Education for special education (SELPA) and asked how compliance and accountability would be maintained when SELPA functions are organized inside the district structure. Hsu said the deputy superintendent of educational services and the SPED head will coordinate compliance and instructional integration, and that the district will ensure the SELPA compliance role is met.

Why it matters

The restructuring is presented as part of the district's plan to rebuild enrollment, support schools and create systems stability after large budget reductions. Commissioners asked for a follow-up that maps major work streams (for example: special education compliance, staffing, procurement, and payroll transitions) to responsible leaders so the board can monitor implementation and progress.

Next steps

Hsu said several senior positions have been posted, including the head of operations and a chief financial officer (CFO). She said a hiring sequence and a plan for reducing consultant reliance would be brought forward and that the org chart will be updated as hires are made.