San Francisco school board creates two ad hoc committees on labor relations and personnel

The San Francisco Board of Education on Jan. 23 adopted resolutions creating two three‑member ad hoc committees: one to oversee labor relations with district employees and one to handle personnel matters, including support for the superintendent search.

President Mark Sanchez introduced both resolutions and said the labor relations committee is intended to maintain constant engagement with bargaining units and help avoid the negotiating breakdowns the district experienced last year. “One of the main reasons to go forward and have one now is to have constant engagement with our negotiating groups,” Sanchez said during debate.

Board members pressed for limits on the committees’ authority. Several commissioners, including Jane Kim and Commissioner Mendoza, emphasized the committees would not supplant the superintendent’s hiring authority or replace formal bargaining teams. Superintendent Michelle Chan said the personnel committee’s main task would be the superintendent search and help vet the process and job parameters, not to choose candidates. “This is primarily for the superintendent search,” Chan said.

Dennis Kelly of United Educators of San Francisco welcomed the measures as experimental forums for better board‑union collaboration and urged caution so the committees do not become negotiating bodies or “fishbowls” that interfere with designated negotiators.

Both resolutions passed on roll call after public comment and board discussion. The board recorded roll calls showing committee creation votes carried unanimously as documented in the meeting record.

What happens next: The president will appoint members to each ad hoc committee for the 2007 calendar year, and committee work is expected to include periodic reports back to the full board. The board and staff indicated a desire for regular, brief written updates following committee meetings.