Board renews 5 Keys charters after public hearing that emphasized diplomas and reentry supports

The San Francisco Unified School District board voted to renew three related 5 Keys charters for five years after staff recommended renewal under state charter renewal criteria.

Staff said the petitions met the California Education Code criteria for renewal under the Dashboard Alternative Schools Status rules. 5 Keys’ executive director Steve Goode and supporters described long-standing partnerships with the sheriff's office, the school's history of delivering diplomas to formerly incarcerated students, and post-release employment and reentry services. Sheriff Paul Miyamoto and community leaders described 5 Keys as the only remaining local option in the county to deliver high-school diplomas to some justice-involved adults.

Graduates and current staff gave first-person accounts of how the program produced measurable outcomes, including diplomas, job placements and reduced recidivism. The charter oversight committee noted a pending whistleblower complaint; staff said the complaint is being investigated and that the renewal decision accounts for the ongoing oversight process.

After testimony and public comment from educators, alumni, union representatives and the oversight committee, the board approved the renewals by roll call.