Ensure excellence for a democratic institution
Today is a day of opportunity. One where we get to choose who is the best choice for San Francisco. We understand your questions about the importance of voting. We know that some of the individuals who influence our emotions are the candidates in today's election. It’s a day that is critical to our children. Rather you voted yesterday, days ago or are thinking about voting today, please remember that while the scene may feel less than ideal, choose where you see your values demonstrated.
Choose freedom. Choose hope. Choose diversity. Choose accountability. Choose integrity. Choose equity. Choose adamantly.
PPS continues to demonstrate a relentless and adamant belief in our democratic institutions and the importance of them showing integrity and accountability. We believe that access to public education is a fundamental right for all children.
As a long-standing national parent organization, Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco has heard concerns about the lack of transparency and community engagement including the new leader for SFUSD who just months before consolidated our funding from DCYF. We want to remind you that under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, parents are a a key power brokers to the educational institution. It is PPS daily goal to continue to support all communities who are most impacted by decisions made without them by helping spread information in accessible and equitable ways while also uplifting the voices in the community that are most marginalized.
Our Why is centered, not on neoliberal expectations rather to ensure that all people experience democratic institutional decisions which are fair, equitable and accessible. One where parents' insights are valued and respected and, in our case, clearly aligned with the school district guardrails and with best practice. One where we are not afraid to be gaslight by the board of education or challenged by others with differing points of views. We continue to show up for parents for public schools. We believe in a discourse and will defend the truth of what democracy must be for all people in San Francisco.
SFUSD Guardrail 1, Effective Decision-Making states, “The superintendent will not make major decisions without utilizing a process–that includes meaningful consultation with the parents/guardians, students, and staff who will be impacted by those decisions–at the inception, adoption, and review.” While the Board of Education, in an October meeting, voted to approve a new Supt without upholding this guardrail, we wonder are they the exception to these guardrails?
The Board of Education governance is to ensure the success for all students by making decisions that fulfill legal mandates and align district systems and resources to ensure long-term fiscal stability of the district, Ie. hiring, policy making, matters related to immigrant students, students with disabilities, Black and Brown students and specialty programs).
These boards must act collectively and openly, be guided by community interests and informed by recommendations of the superintendent and professional staff (i.e. have community trust, input and collaboration). In fact, according to the California Association of School Boards, Beyond Governance, a research brief, states “Effective boards engage in three kinds of governing activities that are separate but inter-related (Effective boards establish governance commitments, Effective boards adopt practices to increase their effectiveness and Effective boards focus on core governing decisions), and all take place at board meetings. In addition, both in and outside of school board meetings, effective boards engage the community.” (CSBA, 2017)
We encourage you to watch our Parents of Public Schools of San Francisco Board of Education Candidate Forum: Ensure excellence for a democratic institution. During the forum we asked questions about Candidates, why, School Closures, disproportionately in student groups, Education as a Civil Right, Student with Disabilities, Parent Voices and SFUSD Guardrail 1-Effective Decision Making to name a few. We also heard directly from the community. Our focus as an organization is to help parents further understand candidates' responses to these key issues.
Watch candidates Opening Statement, Candidate Why here: https://youtu.be/sOoLAvo4ftY
Watch Candidates responses to Question 1 about School Closures: https://youtu.be/dYu2FQUG-WY
Watch BOE Candidates response to Question 2 about Disproportionately in student groups: https://youtu.be/abuN9ozMJq4
Watch BOE Candidates response to Question 3 about Student with Disabilities: https://youtu.be/bVgJjnb6S18
Watch BOE Candidates response to Question 4 Education as Civil Rights Issue: https://youtu.be/grH9doR0X84
Watch BOE Candidates response to Question 5 Parents Voices and Guardrail 1-Effective Decision Making: https://youtu.be/N-Y2DThIE-c
Watch BOE Candidates response to Community Questions: https://youtu.be/ppsgp653C6o
To put it straight up, when our public education system invests in participatory civic engagement across our diverse communities-All children and families benefit. Thus, creating stronger community ties and a democratic institution with integrity and accountability.
We will continue to push for equitable access to the diverse approaches in San Francisco, which had made us nationally recognized.
I admire you all.
Vanessa
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