Are We On The Right Path? Unpacking the SFUSD School Board's Strategic Direction
Cover page for the "PPS-SF REPORT CARD: What To Expect From Our School Board?" from Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco, dated October 12, 2025. The design includes colorful geometric shapes, a collage of diverse students and school-related images, and the organization's logo in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
As leading parent advocates for our public schools, we recently released our Fall 2025 Report Card, a comprehensive assessment of the SFUSD School Board's performance against key expectations. While the report highlights areas where the board is meeting its obligations, it also shines a light on critical areas needing significant improvement. Today, I want to dive into one such area that directly impacts the future of our students and schools: the Effectiveness of Strategic Direction.
What Does "Effective Strategic Direction" Mean?
According to our report, an effective school board should "engage in continuous development, embracing systems thinking and ensuring that resources and policies align with strategic goals." In simpler terms, it's about having a clear vision, making thoughtful long-term plans, and ensuring every action and dollar spent moves us closer to that vision for the benefit of our students.
The Report Card Says: "Not Met"
Unfortunately, our assessment indicates that the SFUSD School Board is currently "Not Met" in this crucial area. Why? Our findings suggest a disconnect between communication, action, and true progress.
While some board members may appear responsive and engage in communication, the report points to a risk that these efforts can become "overly focused on public relations rather than meaningful action." This isn't just about optics; it's about whether the board as a whole is implementing substantial, long-term solutions to the community's pressing concerns.
Consider this: when there are "deeply entrenched differences in opinion" within the community, fostering genuine collaboration becomes incredibly difficult. Without concrete actions to back up communications, these efforts can "create the illusion of progress rather than driving real improvements in educational outcomes." We need more than just dialogue; we need decisive, strategic leadership that translates into tangible results for our children.
Ultimately, our report suggests an "excessive emphasis on maintaining a positive image" might be leading the board to prioritize community approval over making difficult, but necessary, decisions that would truly benefit the district in the long term. This is a critical point because effective strategic direction often requires making tough calls that, while perhaps unpopular in the short term, pave the way for sustainable success.
Why This Matters to Every Family
A school board that lacks effective strategic direction can lead to:
Wasted Resources: Funds and efforts misdirected without a clear, unified plan.
Stalled Progress: Important initiatives losing momentum or failing to launch due to a lack of coherent leadership.
Erosion of Trust: Communities feeling that their concerns are heard but not truly addressed.
Uncertainty for Students: A school system that struggles to adapt and innovate for future challenges.
Moving Forward: Your Voice is Key
The PPS-SF Report Card isn't just about identifying challenges; it's about empowering our community to advocate for stronger governance. An effective strategic direction is vital for the health and future of our public schools. We need a school board that is united in its vision, driven by evidence-based decisions, and committed to long-term solutions that genuinely serve our all students. Reminding us all that the impetus of change comes in various forms.
We encourage you to review our full Report Card and join us in advocating for a school board that doesn't just talk about progress, but strategically plans and executes the actions needed to achieve it.
Our children deserve nothing less.
My Best to you all,
Vanessa