For the first time in San Francisco history, the Mayor has initiated a formal agreement between the City and the San Francisco Unified School District to institutionalize and augment the City's commitment to its public schools. Discussions are currently underway. These are the proposed principles of agreement:
The Mayor of San Francisco & SFUSD Superintendent of Schools
Present Their
Plan for a City-School District Partnership to Improve Education
The Need for a Partnership
Quality public schools are essential to San Francisco. Strong schools keep families in the city, attract and retain a quality workforce, and contribute to the economic and intellectual vitality of the city. Most importantly, strong schools prepare the next generation to be productive community members and become future leaders of San Francisco.
The school district and City government share the goals that children be safe, healthy, and well-prepared for further education and the workforce. Both recognize that creating a quality public school system is our collective responsibility. Mayor Newsom joins the SFUSD in making school improvement a priority. The Mayor is focusing on concrete steps the city can take to support educational excellence.
The Work of the Partnership
The SFUSD and City Partnership for Achievement highlights six strategic areas for improving outcomes for our public school students:
A marketing campaign that showcases innovative school programs and the dedicated professionals serving our children.
A menu of targeted resources and benefits to demonstrate San Francisco’s commitment to recruiting and retaining the best educators.
State and Federal education platform that increases per-pupil funding. Use local funds to expand support and enrichment services enabling students come to school healthy and ready to learn.
An increased investment in early education, afterschool programming, collaborative wraparound services, and violence prevention programs.
Strategies to prepare students for the modern workforce, such as the development of career pathways in competitive workforce areas.
Alignment of facilities planning efforts to develop “hubs” to share in creating safe neighborhoods and community centers.
New Strategies for the Partnership
The Mayor and the Superintendent will embrace and implement new communication and planning approaches that respect the line of governance drawn between the school district and the city, yet maximize the potential of school-city partnerships. Specifically, by:
- Formalizing agreements regarding coordination of services, communication, use of facilities and resources, and joint planning
- Co-convening a SF Education Roundtable with representatives from multiple stakeholders to promote ongoing dialogue on issues affecting the district and the city.
