Commissioner Kevin Bogus elected Board president as parents urge stability for SFUSD
January 24, 2023 | San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California
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The San Francisco Board of Education elected Commissioner Kevin Bogus president for 2023 after a roll-call vote produced four votes for Bogus and three for incumbent Jenny Lam. The board then confirmed Commissioner Lisa Weisman Ward as vice president by acclamation (announcement and roll call during the reorganizational meeting).
The election followed an extended public-comment period in which more than a dozen parents, students and community members urged the board to retain Jenny Lam, praising her leadership and warning that a leadership change would destabilize the district. ‘‘She has provided very steady leadership… there is no good reason to replace her,’’ parent Supriya Ray told the board during public comment.
Commissioners framed the vote as a governance choice with an eye toward stability and collective leadership. Several commissioners acknowledged the board had been highly politicized and emphasized the need for clear succession planning. Commissioner Alexander said collective leadership and a clear succession plan would best serve students; others thanked Lam for her work and pledged cooperation with the new president.
What happened next: After announcing Commissioner Bogus as president, the board moved immediately to install Vice President Weisman Ward by general consensus and continued with the evening agenda under the new chair. The meeting included additional items ranging from expulsions readouts to a superintendent report and an extended calendar-policy discussion.
Why it matters: Leadership at the board level sets priorities and tone for the district’s governance, affecting everything from the superintendent’s agenda to engagement with families and staff. Many public speakers said continuity of leadership directly affects efforts to improve student outcomes after a period of turnover and recent high-profile recalls.
Next steps: The board transitions to Bogus’s leadership for the remainder of 2023; commissioners and community members said they expect the new leadership to prioritize student outcomes and accelerate work on outstanding district priorities.
The election followed an extended public-comment period in which more than a dozen parents, students and community members urged the board to retain Jenny Lam, praising her leadership and warning that a leadership change would destabilize the district. ‘‘She has provided very steady leadership… there is no good reason to replace her,’’ parent Supriya Ray told the board during public comment.
Commissioners framed the vote as a governance choice with an eye toward stability and collective leadership. Several commissioners acknowledged the board had been highly politicized and emphasized the need for clear succession planning. Commissioner Alexander said collective leadership and a clear succession plan would best serve students; others thanked Lam for her work and pledged cooperation with the new president.
What happened next: After announcing Commissioner Bogus as president, the board moved immediately to install Vice President Weisman Ward by general consensus and continued with the evening agenda under the new chair. The meeting included additional items ranging from expulsions readouts to a superintendent report and an extended calendar-policy discussion.
Why it matters: Leadership at the board level sets priorities and tone for the district’s governance, affecting everything from the superintendent’s agenda to engagement with families and staff. Many public speakers said continuity of leadership directly affects efforts to improve student outcomes after a period of turnover and recent high-profile recalls.
Next steps: The board transitions to Bogus’s leadership for the remainder of 2023; commissioners and community members said they expect the new leadership to prioritize student outcomes and accelerate work on outstanding district priorities.
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