Board approves $65,000 contract with CB Richard Ellis after debate over in-house real estate staffing

The San Francisco Unified School District board approved a $65,000 consulting contract with CB Richard Ellis for real estate advisory services after a lengthy discussion about whether the district should hire a full‑time, in‑house real estate specialist instead.

Commissioner Feuer said she pulled the item for discussion because she wanted the board to consider whether the funds would be better used to hire a full‑time staffer with institutional memory and day‑to‑day availability, noting a rough salary comparison presented by staff that put a full‑time hire at about $141,000 including benefits. "I would like to have a discussion on whether or not this is...better for the district to actually hire their own in‑house real estate person," she said.

Deputy Superintendent Myung Lee and superintendent's staff described prior competitive selection processes and defended the consultant approach. Staff said the district ran a competitive RFQ two years earlier and selected CBRE after interviews. Superintendent Carlos Garcia and deputy staff noted the firm brings research capacity and a team of specialists the district would not get from a single hire.

After debate — including suggestions to consider an RFP for future work and to revisit the in‑house option — the board voted to approve the contract. A roll call recorded six ayes and the motion passed.

Board members requested that facilities and buildings-and-grounds committees continue the longer-term discussion about whether to restore a staffed real‑estate position or rely on external consultants in future years.