Historic preservation commissioners press for preservation and dialogue after school board moves to obscure George Washington High murals

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on Aug. 21 heard a sustained public outcry to preserve four New Deal-era murals at George Washington High School after the school board voted earlier in August to obscure portions of the paintings.

Shannon Ferguson of the Planning Department told the commission that the landmark designation report for George Washington High notes the building’s significance for its Streamline Moderne architecture and its four New Deal murals, and that legislation recommending landmark designation has been forwarded to the Board of Supervisors. Planning staff also confirmed a recent Board of Education resolution to obscure — and previously to paint over — portions of the murals, and provided the commission with a copy of that resolution.

Bob Cherney, who led a slide presentation on the murals’ iconography, described the work of Victor Artoff and other WPA-era artists in the upper hall and alcoves, calling particular attention to two controversial scenes that depict slavery and the dispossession of Native Americans. Cherney said the murals are character-defining features of the school’s landmark report and that those features informed the department’s recommendation to move forward with landmarking.

Public commenters representing preservation organizations, alumni and community groups urged the commission to use its advisory role to slow or alter the school board’s plan and to insist on reversible technical solutions rather than permanent alteration. Woody LaVonte of San Francisco Heritage asked the commission to favor solutions that keep the murals intact and reversible, saying his organization provided a packet of technical options and “the most important thing is the reversibility of that action.” Lope Yap Jr., vice president of the George Washington High Alumni Association, said that national and international attention had followed the school board decision and warned the community backlash would continue.

Several speakers stressed legal obligations under CEQA and urged the school board to undertake environmental review before irreversible action. One public commenter said she had submitted written comments reminding the Board of Education of ‘‘their obligations under CEQA.’’

Commissioners acknowledged the commission’s limited legal authority over the San Francisco Unified School District but unanimously agreed they could still amplify the debate. Commissioner Pearlman said the commission had already recommended landmark designation and proposed sending another letter to the school board and to the district supervisor; commissioners volunteered to contact Supervisor candidates and the Board of Supervisors to raise the issue. Planning staff said the landmarking process — which has been initiated and recommended to the Board of Supervisors — would provide another public forum if forwarded for hearing.

The commission asked staff to draft a letter reflecting the commission’s concerns, explore opportunities to participate in any school-board study committee or community advisory committee, and to report back at a future meeting. No formal change to the murals was authorized by the commission at the hearing.