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Buena Vista Horace Mann community urges board to reinstate principal Claudia Moran
Summary
Dozens of students, parents, teachers and community partners told the Board of Education Nov. 12 they want principal Claudia Deladios Moran reinstated, citing her role in restorative practices, student supports and a stay‑over shelter program; the superintendent said personnel reasons are private.
Dozens of parents, students and staff at Buena Vista Horace Mann told the San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education on Nov. 12 that removing principal Claudia Deladios Moran has destabilized the school and harmed students.
At the meeting parents described Moran as an immediate problem‑solver who secured Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings for families, coordinated restorative practices, and helped families access the school’s stay‑over shelter. Jackie Portillo, program manager for the school’s state work program, said Moran ‘‘advocate[d] for many families’’ and helped keep essential services available. Student and parent speakers gave personal examples of Moran meeting with families, setting IEP appointments on the spot, and supporting traumatized students.
‘‘I just can only tell them I’m gonna fight until she’s back and reinstated,’’ one parent said, asking the board to use ‘‘restorative practices’’ before removing a leader the community calls the school’s ‘‘glue.’’ Lou Rodriguez, an ILAC and PTA member, told the board Moran ‘‘has been working side‑by‑side with us’’ and urged the district to consider the community harm from her administrative leave.
Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews responded earlier in the agenda that the district ‘‘cannot share information about the reason for any employee’s leave given its obligation to respect privacy’’ and that rumors should not replace due process. He also said the district has looked into allegations and that the leave is not related to facilities, political protests or the stay‑over program.
Community partners — including SEIU chapter leadership, nearby community centers and school bus drivers — also testified in favor of Moran, describing the principal’s role in stabilizing staffing, improving school climate, and partnering on mental‑health and wraparound services. Several speakers asked the board to weigh restorative remedies against removal, pointing to the district’s restorative‑practices guidance.
The board did not announce a decision at the meeting. Board members acknowledged the volume of public testimony and the limits of what may be disclosed about personnel matters. Next procedural steps were not set publicly at the Nov. 12 meeting; speakers asked the board to provide a timeline or public explanation consistent with privacy rules.
The board packet and the superintendent’s earlier remarks make clear the district treats staff personnel files as confidential; parents and community groups said that confidentiality must be balanced with transparency about process and timelines for resolving leadership vacancies.
