Centering Family Agency & Educational Access: Why the 2026 SFUSD Board Election Matters

San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) stands at a pivotal crossroads. Between multi-year budget adjustments, ongoing efforts to maintain stable school communities, and continuous discussions surrounding resource distribution, public education decisions directly shape the daily lives of families across our city.

Navigating these systemic shifts requires leadership that values operational stability and prioritizes transparent, accountable governance that puts student needs and family agency first.

Key Challenges Facing Our Schools

  • School Sustainability & Resource Allocations: As SFUSD plans for long-term fiscal stability, district decisions regarding resource distribution must ensure every school remains supported, safe, and  enriching.

  • Educator & Student Retention & Supports: Sustainable public education relies on attracting, retaining, and supporting dedicated educators while delivering the comprehensive culturally responsive academic and social-emotional supports students need to thrive.

  • Family Agency & Equitable Access: School policies, enrollment pathways, and program offerings must center the diverse needs of San Francisco public education families—ensuring equitable access across all neighborhoods while honoring parent and family voices in educational decisions.

Event graphic for the SFUSD Board of Education Candidate Virtual Forum presented by Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco and The Phoenix Project. Held virtually on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Featuring participating candidate portraits for Commissioner Alida Fisher, Laurance Lee, Ryan Hazelton, Reina Tello, and Virginia Cheung. Note: Phil Kim and Tim Toung were invited and did not respond. Autumn Brown Garibay was invited and could not attend due to another campaign commitment. This is a nonpartisan educational event. RSVP link: bit.ly/PPSBoardCandidateForum26

A Platform for Constructive Dialogue

To address these pressing topics, Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco (PPS-SF) and The Phoenix Project are co-hosting a nonpartisan SFUSD Board of Education Candidate Virtual Forum.

This event offers families, educators, and community members a direct opportunity to evaluate how candidates intend to address district policy, protect public education resources, and uphold board accountability.

Event Details

Participating Candidates:

  • Commissioner Alida Fisher

  • Laurance Lee

  • Ryan Hazelton

  • Reina Tello

  • Virginia Cheung

(Disclaimer: Candidates Phil Kim and Tim Toung were invited to participate and did not respond. Candidate Autumn Brown Garibay was invited and could not attend due to a prior campaign commitment. This is a nonpartisan educational event.)

Advocacy & Engagement, SFUSD Governance & Policy, Community Events (Primary, Voter Educationppssf adminThe Phoenix Project, Parents for Public Schools SF, Resource Allocation, Educator Retention, Student Supports, Family Agency, Equitable Access, San Francisco Public Education, Candidate ForumComment