Candidates for Board of Education

Not all candidates submit a statement of qualifications. A complete list of candidates appears on the sample ballot. Statements are volunteered by the candidates and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. Statements are published as submitted. Spelling and grammatical errors have not been corrected.

ALIDA FISHER

My occupation is Special Education Advocate.

My qualifications are:

As a special education advocate, former foster parent and mother of four African American children, the issues of social justice and equity are very personal to me.

I have been an active member in school site and district level governance for more than 15 years. I’ve participated in PTAs and SSCs at eight schools plus district-level committees and working groups. However, it was my experience working to get services for my own children that transformed me from an active parent into a parent activist.

I spend my days fighting alongside families to help students succeed in school. Every day, I see how our schools marginalize people who think and learn differently. Education is a civil right - we can do better!

My priorities

· Support SFUSD staff: fix the payroll system; fill staff vacancies; invest in professional development

· Bring our reading curriculum and how we teach reading into the 21st century

· Create a budget that’s a reflection of our values: increase decision making accountability and transparency; ensure our budget reflects the needs of our students

My endorsements:

United Educators of San Francisco

Board of Supervisors:

· Shamann Walton, President

· Gordon Mar

· Myrna Melgar

· Hillary Ronen

San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee

· John Avalos

· Keith Baraka

· Gloria Berry

· David Campos

· Bevan Dufty

· Peter Gallotta

· Li Miao Lovett

· Faauuga Moliga

· Carolina Morales

· Mano Raju

· AJ Thomas

· Shanell Williams

· Han Zou

Learn more at www.alidafisher.com

Alida Fisher

KAREN FLESHMAN

My occupation is Diversity Inclusion Educator.

My qualifications are:

I’m an SFUSD parent volunteer, public school graduate, retired educator’s daughter, small business owner, and attorney. I love my children’s schools and want to build on all the good at SFUSD by listening, building bridges, and problemsolving. We need safe and positive schools in every neighborhood providing high expectations and high support for all young people, families, and educators.

For 20+ years I worked for local government agencies and nonprofits to prepare young people for success in college, careers, and life, becoming a mentor to many. My mentees inspired me to become a diversity inclusion educator helping workplaces shift their culture to be safe and positive for everyone.

I will bring my experience to ensure every SFUSD student thrives and graduates ready for college or careers.

To get there, we must start early with all students enrolling in transitional kindergarten, reading at grade level in elementary, ready for high school by eighth grade, and supported from ninth grade through graduation with an individualized plan for their future, paid summer jobs, enrichment activities.

My priorities:

· Invest in students’ and educators’ academic and social-emotional wellbeing

· Provide budget transparency and accountability

· Promote collaborative decisionmaking

Unifying San Francisco for San Francisco Unified

karenforsfschools.com

Karen Fleshman

ANN HSU

My occupation is Appointed Member, Board of Education.

My qualifications are:

As a Member of the SF School Board, I’m committed to student achievement and academic excellence, safe schools, and operational excellence. I am a mother of twin boys enrolled in SFUSD, and after the passing of my father and husband during the pandemic, I have dedicated my time, energy, skills and resources to addressing the failures of our public school system.

Since Mayor Breed appointed me to the School Board in March 2022, I have worked to:

- pass a balanced budget and rescind virtually all lay-off notices

- hire a student focused superintendent

- reinstate criteria-based admissions at Lowell High School

- terminate the Washington mural lawsuit appeal

- create a high school task force to ensure equitable distribution of resources across the district

- lead the effort to restore JROTC at Balboa, Mission and Galileo at no additional cost to SFUSD

I am proud to have earned the endorsements of Senator Scott Wiener, Mayor London Breed, Former Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang, Former Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez, and the Chinese American Citizens’ Alliance.

I will put words into action for the sake of our students and families.

www.AnnForSFBoe.com

Ann Hsu

GABRIELA LÓPEZ

My occupation is Teacher Educator.

My qualifications are:

I am a lifelong learner and educator and served as a classroom teacher, prison educator, former School Board President and adjunct professor — a teacher of future educators. I believe our public schools can uplift every one of our students. My experience will inspire and inform my work on the San Francisco Board of Education.

A first-generation Mexican-American and English Language Learner, I grew up in public schools. I know what it’s like to have parents who overcame language barriers and poverty to support their children’s learning. I am on the ground with our students, teachers and families everyday, working tirelessly to meet their needs. When the COVID pandemic began, I worked to ensure our city’s children were fed and had the technology they needed to continue their learning.

I feel I have a moral responsibility to represent all students, especially low-income immigrant students, who like me, consistently face barriers advocating for a quality education. Our families have been disheartened by the state of public schools. It is our duty to affirm their children’s education and well-being are the district’s top priorities.

My other priorities include:

· Increasing School Funding and Resources

· Improving Special Education Supports

· Expanded Math, Reading and Science Opportunities

· Investing in College Preparation

www.gabrielalopez.org

Gabriela López

LAINIE MOTAMEDI

My occupation is Appointed Member, Board of Education.

My qualifications are:

As a parent of public school children, my 5th and 8th graders did not attend school for over a year during the pandemic. The previous school board focused on politics, not the needs of students, families and educators.

I was appointed by Mayor Breed in March because of my successful experience with district issues— volunteering in classrooms, student site councils, PTAs, and as an appointee to district-wide budget committees. I bring 20 years of professional experience in government, business, and nonprofit boards. I am focused on what is best for kids, not politics.

San Francisco should be a beacon for public education! My priority is positive outcomes for all students, including:

Student success

· Our kids deserve excellent schools and the skills, resources, and experiences necessary to pursue their dreams.

Fiscal responsibility

· We must ensure resources are distributed equitably and on student priorities.

Listening to community voices

· Families, educators, and community engagement are key to our students’ success.

I am proud to be endorsed by Senator Scott Wiener, Mayor London Breed, SF Parent Action, Supervisors Myrna Melgar, Ahsha Safai, and Hillary Ronen, and many other SF community and parent leaders.

Join me in supporting our children and their futures at www.lainieforsfboe.com.

Lainie Motamedi

LISA WEISSMAN-WARD

My occupation is Appointed Member, Board of Education.

My qualifications are:

As a proud parent of SFUSD students, a product of public education, from a family of educators, and an educator myself - it’s an incredible honor to serve as a School Board Member.

Since I was appointed to the Board by Mayor London Breed in March, I have been laser focused on student outcomes, transparency, and accountability.

Working together with my colleagues, I am proud to have already:

· Hired a new Superintendent who is committed to student outcomes

· Brought needed revenue to the District

· Created a transparent and community-driven framework to advance excellence and equity in our High schools

· Passed a balanced budget

· Rescinded teacher and staff layoffs

Let’s keep the momentum going to get SFUSD back on track. Education is the ultimate foundation to move our City, State, and Country forward.

I am humbled to have earned the endorsements of Senator Scott Wiener, Mayor London Breed, Supervisors Ahsha Safai and Myrna Melgar, United Educators of San Francisco, SF Parent Action, San Francisco Labor Council, and more.

We’re finally on the path of restoring faith and trust in our public schools — please join me as I advocate for all of our students to get the exceptional education they deserve at www.lisaforsfboe.com.

Lisa Weissman-Ward