Buena Vista parents say proposed Horace Mann K-8 plan was miscommunicated; board promises community hiring process

Multiple Buena Vista teachers and parents told the Board of Education the district had given conflicting information about plans to move Buena Vista to the Horace Mann campus and whether the change would be a continuation or a merger. A Buena Vista teacher summed up the tone: "I really need you to know that our community feels betrayed. We feel like we've been told several things that are not true." (Leanne)

Parents raised three recurring concerns: unclear timing for the move, whether the Buena Vista principal would remain with the transitioning cohort, and the allocation of general-education seats at the new site. Betsy Segura said parents expected a continuation of Buena Vista but were told the plan is a "merger," and she called the communication "really, really disappointing." Several speakers also asked for greater parent representation in the decision panel.

Superintendent Garcia responded that the district had consistently described a phased approach for sustaining existing general-education applicants and phasing in immersion slots over three years. He said "there was never a commitment for any of the principals to be automatically placed" and explained that hiring requires advertising and an open search process, but committed to a community-involved selection: "we are going to have a very open process and procedure to engage your community in selecting that principal." He also said staff would try to expedite the search and may have a decision before the school year ends, but could not promise a March appointment.

Why it matters: parents said the plan as presented altered the character of their program and raised equity concerns about available seats and leadership continuity. Roberto Vargas (Bayview Hunters Point parent) asked the board to increase parent representation on panels making decisions "in order to try and recapture the trust" of both communities.

What happens next: superintendent staff committed to forming community committees and area superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero will provide updates about timeline and principal selection. Parents asked for a written response within a week and for naming of key leadership by March or April if feasible; the superintendent said the district would try to move quickly but must follow hiring rules.

Quoted directly in this article are speakers who identified themselves in public comment and the superintendent in his response.