In a decisive shift, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) has abandoned its contentious plans to shutter schools in the upcoming fiscal year while ushering in a new era of leadership. The beleaguered Superintendent Matt Wayne tendered his resignation, punctuating a period fraught with operational turmoil. Maria Su is Stepping into the role, presently the director of the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families (DCYF), a move framed as a stabilizing force for a district in crisis. Board President Aaron Peskin, who had been vocal against school closures, expressed relief over the district's decision, stating, "I am happy to see Maria Su come to the aid of the school district at this challenging time," in a statement.
Credit to students, parents and teachers who organized and demanded to be heard until the Mayor couldn’t ignore anymore.
— Aaron Peskin (@AaronPeskin) October 19, 2024
Now SFUSD must immediately address payroll & staffing issues. I look forward to supporting interim Superintendent Su in that effort.#SFPublicSchools pic.twitter.com/TT2BGef23U
The emergency meeting, which led to the halting of the school closure process, reaffirmed the board's commitment to sustainably managing the district's resources. According to the SF Chronicle, school board President Matt Alexander said, "We need to stop. It needs to be done the right way." The board's decision comes amid continued maintenance of an error-prone payroll system and budget problems plaguing the district.
Wayne, who had been at the helm for roughly two and a half years, will keep receiving his annual salary of $325,000 and health benefits for 12 additional months, despite stepping down. This decision did not come without dissent, as board member Kevine Boggess voted against the separation agreement. Not present at the meeting, Wayne underscored several achievements during his tenure in a statement without directly commenting on the recent upheaval. He mentioned initiatives like reducing absenteeism and introducing a new literacy curriculum as part of his efforts to enrich SFUSD.
In the wake of these changes, Su takes on a critical mission: to lead and heal a district crawling through the aftermath of policy backfires and a disillusioned public trust. As Alexander told SF Chronicle, "I'm not just excited, but ecstatic." With Su at the helm, many are cautiously optimistic that her managerial acumen and fresh vision may quickly turn the tide for a district in fiscal straits.
