The Facts

The San Francisco School Board will vote November 18 to make Maria Su the permanent superintendent with a two-year contract, sources told Mission Local.

The teachers' union, United Educators of San Francisco (UESF), opposed Su because she has an expertise in administration rather than teaching. The job of the Superintendent is purely administrative, with no teaching component, though the state does have credential requirements for the position. The School Board will waive those requirements to keep Su in the role.

The Context

Su became interim superintendent in October 2024 after Superintendent Matt Wayne resigned.

She brings 16 years of city administration experience, having led the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families since 2009. She has managed complex budgets and navigated San Francisco politics under multiple mayors.

Su helped the district balance a $114 million budget deficit and implement a new payroll system, saving the district from a full state takeover. However, SFUSD faces ongoing challenges including possible school closures, a threatened teacher strike, and fixing the school assignment system. The district will remain under state oversight through December 2025.

The GrowSF Take

Su's appointment rewards proven results over arbitrary requirements. She stabilized district finances and fixed operational failures that plagued her predecessors. We don't need credentialism, we need skilled management that can run complex and important institutions.

Effective governance requires leaders who can deliver results, balance budgets, and navigate complex systems—all skills Su has demonstrated throughout her city career.