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SFUSD swears in four board members as leaders emphasize safe reopening, equity and housing concerns
Summary
The San Francisco Unified School District installed four board members in a virtual ceremony; speakers emphasized safe in-person reopening 'when we are in the orange,' equity priorities, and concern about an expiring eviction moratorium that could affect students' families.
The San Francisco Unified School District formally installed four board members in a virtual ceremony that combined oath administrations, student performances and speeches focusing on reopening schools, equity and housing stability.
The event on the district's calendar included oaths administered by Mayor London Breed and former supervisor Jane Kim. Mayor Breed swore in Commissioner Jenny Lam and cited the city's recent investments, saying the city provided "$15,000,000" to help close budget gaps and noting the passage of Proposition J as part of local support for the district. Jane Kim swore in President Mark Sanchez and Commissioner Matt Alexander; Vice President Gabriela Lopez administered the oath for Kevin Bogus. All four took the oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California."
Why it matters: the new board begins work amid a COVID-19 surge and visible pressure from families and educators over when and how to return to classrooms. In remarks during the ceremony, board leaders and new members tied those operational questions to broader goals of equity and funding for instruction.
President Mark Sanchez said he supports reopening "when we are safely in the orange," and urged prioritizing vaccinations for teachers and school staff to facilitate a safe return to in-person learning. Commissioner Matt Alexander echoed the urgency but placed reopening in context, warning of high local COVID-19 infection rates and calling attention to a parallel housing concern: "if our state level leaders don't act soon, the eviction moratorium is gonna expire on January 31," Alexander said, adding that families could face increased displacement without action.
Multiple speakers raised funding and equity as priorities. Lam, Sanchez and Alexander described the district's long-standing resource gaps; Alexander said SFUSD spends "about half per student per year" of what New York City spends and "about a third" of what some private local schools spend, arguing the district must match its high expectations with adequate resources. The mayor and other speakers framed the city's recent monetary support and voter measures as part of that financial context.
The ceremony included student contributions: a violin performance by a Lowell High School junior and a poetry reading by Jaira Martin that addressed city life and the experiences of Black and brown communities. Commissioners used their remarks to outline near-term priorities including literacy, supports for students with disabilities and English learners, and efforts to make schools community hubs.
No formal votes or policy decisions were taken during the ceremony; the event's formal actions were the oath administrations installing the four members. The board concluded the virtual installation with closing remarks from Superintendent Matthews and a reminder that the district's work will focus on students, recovery from pandemic disruptions and advancing equity.
What happens next: the newly constituted board will resume its regular meetings and is expected to address reopening logistics, budget allocations and related policy work in upcoming sessions.
