On this edition of Your Call, we’re discussing the recall of three members of the San Francisco school board – Board President Gabriela López and Commissioners Alison Collins and Faauuga Moliga. Ballots have already been mailed to voters for the election, which takes place on February 15.
Supporters say the board members must be recalled for gross incompetence, even though each of them is up for re-election in less than a year. They point to the handling of school openings during the pandemic, financial mismanagement, the decision to eliminate selective admission at Lowell High School, and the attempt to rename 44 high schools during the pandemic as evidence of their failure.
The opposition is not a monolith. There are parents who believe the school board has worked to support students who’ve consistently had some of the worst academic outcomes in the district, and that their removal might jeopardize that progress. Others question the support from big money and right-wing activists.
We'll hear the arguments from both sides and discuss the money behind the recall campaign.
Guests:
Tim Redmond, political and investigative reporter in San Francisco for more than 30 years and founder of 48hills
Patrick Wolff, public school parent and cofounder of Families for San Francisco, an organization that has endorsed the recall of all three commissioners
Kelly Walsh, public school parent and member of Vote No School Board Recalls
Web Resources:
Mission Local: Who is Funding the School Board Recall?
48 Hills: What the big money behind the school board recall means
San Francisco Chronicle: Who is supporting the S.F. Board of Education recall? Here’s what the data shows
KQED: 'It's Going to Make It Worse': Parents Wary of SF School Board Recall
San Francisco Chronicle Opinion Piece: Why I’m voting no on S.F school board recall: It’s a blow to diversity and a power grab by the mayor
San Francisco Voter Information Pamphlet & Sample Ballot
San Francisco Chronicle: Lowell High School’s racial demographics to change next year, after merit-based admissions dropped
San Francisco Chronicle: S.F. school mural controversy: Judge rules against district move to cover historic Washington High artwork
Families for San Francisco: A report on SFUSD school renaming
