Board adopts 'schools as public assets' resolution to open district property to community projects

The San Francisco Board of Education voted on Dec. 14 to adopt a resolution directing the superintendent to develop a vision statement and policies to treat district facilities as public assets to help close the opportunity gap.

The resolution, updated with budget‑committee amendments, calls for policies and procedures for community use of underutilized school properties and asks staff to pilot projects in the 2010–2011 school year, including community gardens, community empowerment programs and options for affordable educator and family housing. The board and staff emphasized that partnerships will be governed by memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and operational procedures to protect school operations and be cost‑neutral where possible.

Speakers from Power (People Organized to Win Employment Rights) and Southeast neighborhood groups said empty district land could host gardens, flea markets, and community programs to address food deserts and create opportunities for youth. Juana Teo, a Bayview organizer, said the resolution would let community organizations "create positive and empowering community spaces" and help teach ecological sustainability and economic empowerment.

Commissioner Wynne and others pressed for clarity that the district's prior commitments to teacher and educator housing remain a priority; the final language was amended to make educator housing a clear priority alongside low‑income family housing. Superintendent Garcia noted most proposed uses would be revenue‑neutral or revenue‑generating in a time of fiscal constraint and stressed the need for strong MOUs to avoid misunderstandings about maintenance, operations and roles.

The resolution passed on a roll call with six ayes. The board asked staff to draft guiding principles, prioritize pilot projects and return to the board with implementation steps and budgets as appropriate.