SFUSD board approves new Head of Communications and Governance position and contracts Hongmei Peng amid budget concerns

The San Francisco Board of Education voted to create a new Head of Communications and Governance position and approved an employment contract for Hongmei Peng, the superintendent announced, after extensive public comment and debate about the district’s finances and priorities.

Superintendent Maria Su told the board the position is intended to strengthen community engagement, external partnerships and board support and said it will be “budget neutral.” “I want to make it clear that this position will not increase the number of staff in the superintendent’s office nor will it increase the budget in the superintendent’s office,” Su said during the discussion. Su said the role will also supervise board office staff and help build relationships with city, state, federal and philanthropic partners to bring money and services into classrooms.

The board approved the new position in a roll-call vote described in the meeting as 6 ayes; the employment contract for the selected candidate, Hongmei Peng, passed later by a 7‑aye roll call. The contract term read into the record begins Jan. 29, 2025, and runs through June 30, 2026. Assistant officials said the salary is Grade 7 Step 4 on the district management salary schedule — $220,841 annually — and that the contract contains a six‑month buyout provision if the district ends the agreement early.

Why it matters: The district is projecting large budget shortfalls and has warned of potential personnel reductions at school sites. Many public speakers told the board the timing is wrong and the money should go to classrooms or retaining educators; others urged the board to approve the hire to improve communications, language access and external fundraising.

Debate and public comment

Supporters and opponents of the hire spoke during the long public‑comment period. Several parents and community members urged the board to approve the contract because they said the district needs stronger, multilingual outreach and better coordination with families and community partners. “This position will help the school district work closely with our diverse communities and build better bridges to the outside world,” said a parent who identified herself in public comment as supporting Hongmei Peng.

Union and parent leaders were prominent among the opponents. “I’m here today to strongly recommend that the new contract not be approved,” said Jeri Almanza, introduced in comment as UESF treasurer, citing the district’s fiscal distress and the principle of reducing central‑office spending. Brandy Markman, a parent, said families were being “gaslit” by talk of difficult choices while an executive hire was proposed. “I’m tired of families being gaslit and told we have to deal with hard choices and the superintendent wants to hire another direct report to work in the central office,” she said.

Student delegates also questioned the hire. “What about the over 48,000 students across the district who are left without teachers?” Student Delegate Lam asked. “How is this position going to benefit students with what they need right now?”

Board questions and superintendent’s response

Board members asked how the new position would be funded and what immediate benefits it would bring to students. Superintendent Su said the district would fund the role using unspent funds from vacant positions in the superintendent’s office and pledged to show how the office would be reorganized and remain budget neutral in the coming budget cycle. Su said the position will also pursue grants and philanthropic partnerships that could yield direct classroom funds: “As we build philanthropic partners … those dollars can then translate right into the classrooms,” she said.

Associate Superintendent Amy Baer summarized the hiring process: the position was publicly posted, there were multiple applicants, and the superintendent selected a finalist after two interview rounds.

Contract details and start date

The board heard the required Brown Act readout of the contract terms before voting. The superintendent’s designee stated the term as Jan. 29, 2025, through June 30, 2026, on Grade 7 Step 4 of the management salary schedule. The district’s staff later stated the annual salary for that step as $220,841 and said the contract includes a six‑month severance (buyout) provision.

Background on candidate

Board members and several public speakers said Hongmei Peng has previous experience working with SFUSD and with city and mayoral offices. Superintendent Su said Peng “has spent the last decade in community and in public service of San Francisco Unified School District” and that staff sought a candidate able to “come in and be ready to go on day 1.”

Outcome and next steps

The board approved the position during the meeting; the contract for Peng was subsequently approved and the district announced the 18‑month start date. Superintendent Su said the superintendent’s office will present a reorganization plan and more detail on how the role will be funded and measured as that work proceeds.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of new position “Head of Communications and Governance”: recorded in the meeting as passing (6 ayes). - Employment contract, Hongmei Peng, Head of Communications and Governance (Jan. 29, 2025–June 30, 2026; Grade 7 Step 4; $220,841; six‑month buyout): passed (7 ayes).

Ending

The vote closed an often emotional and lengthy public‑comment period that repeatedly returned to a single tension: whether the district should prioritize immediate classroom staff and services or invest in central capacity to improve outreach and to pursue external funding. Superintendent Su pledged to show board members and the public how the office will be reorganized and how the hire will be budget‑neutral in the district’s upcoming planning materials.