San Francisco Sun

San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed has announced new measures to support the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) amid concerns over potential school closures, financial instability, and operational challenges. In response to an emergency meeting held by the San Francisco Board of Education on Sunday, Mayor Breed is deploying a School Stabilization Team composed of top city leaders and subject matter experts in education, budgeting, and fiscal oversight.

The team will have access to $8.4 million from unallocated Student Success Funds to address emergency needs within the school community. "Our City will support our children, families, and educators during this difficult time for the School District," said Mayor Breed. She emphasized her commitment to ensuring current students receive adequate support.

The School Stabilization Team will be co-led by Maria Su, Executive Director of the Department of Children Youth and their Families, and Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of Recreation and Parks Department. Both leaders bring extensive experience in managing programs for children and families across the city.

Dr. Carl Cohn has been appointed as a special advisor to the team. Dr. Cohn's background includes serving as Superintendent of Long Beach Unified School District and San Diego Unified School District as well as being a former member of the State Board of Education. "I look forward to working with Mayor Breed’s team in helping SFUSD through this critical situation they are now experiencing," stated Dr. Cohn.

The team also includes ChiaYu Ma (Deputy Controller), Susie Smith (Deputy Director for Policy and Planning at Human Services Agency), Hong Mei Pang (Mayor’s Education Policy Advisor), Amanda Kahn Fried (Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector), and Shawn Sherbune (Assistant Director at Department of Human Resources).

Maria Su expressed confidence in overcoming current challenges by leveraging established partnerships with SFUSD: "Leveraging our track record of success... I believe that we can weather this storm as a City."

Phil Ginsburg highlighted the department's commitment: "With the same spirit and energy that I have invested in our City’s world-class park system, we will partner with the District to make sure it will not fail."

The initiative follows Proposition G passed by voters in November 2022 which aims to provide additional resources for SFUSD focusing on academic success and student well-being.

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