Laurance Lee

• Office: Board of Education
• Election Date: November 3, 2026
• Candidate: Laurance Lee
• Due Date: July 1, 2026
• Printable Version

Thank you for seeking GrowSF's endorsement for the November 3, 2026 election! GrowSF believes in a growing, beautiful, vibrant, healthy, safe, and prosperous city delivered via common sense solutions and effective government. Our work includes running public opinion polls to understand what voters want, advocating for those changes, and ensuring that the SF government represents the people.

The GrowSF endorsement committee will review all completed questionnaires and seek consensus on which candidates best align with our vision for San Francisco.

This questionnaire will be published on growsf.org, and so we hope that you use this opportunity to communicate with voters.

Please complete this questionnaire by July 1, 2026 so we have enough time to adequately review and discuss your answers.

Note: This questionnaire will use the initialism “SFUSD” when referring to the San Francisco Unified School District.

• Your Goals
• Executive Leadership
• The Issues
• Personal
• Thank you

Your Goals

We’d like to get some details about your high-level goals and how you intend to use your elected office to achieve them.

What do you believe is your most relevant experience, perspective(s), or idea(s) that makes you uniquely qualified to be an effective Board Member? How do you intend to use that experience to build a stronger district?

My qualifications combine real-world fiscal and operational experience with deep SFUSD knowledge. As a former biotechnology researcher, I rely on data and evidence. As a licensed general contractor and real estate professional managing properties, I understand budgets, accountability, and delivering results.

Most relevant is my service as member and now Vice Chair of the SFUSD Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee, where I led efforts to review audits and restore proper oversight to hundreds of millions in bond funds. Combined with my current hands-on volunteering in high-need kindergarten classrooms, I bring a practitioner’s view of how Board decisions affect classrooms and kids.

I will use these experiences to drive transparent, accountable governance focused on measurable student outcomes, fiscal discipline, and putting resources back in classrooms.

Will the power of the office of the Board of Education be enough to achieve these goals?

Yes, and the Board is most effective when it sets clear priorities and consistently measures results. The Board’s primary power is governance: hiring, firing, and directing the Superintendent. Currently, that power is underutilized. By setting clear, measurable goals and guardrails and holding the district leadership strictly accountable to them, the Board can change the culture from one of excuses to one of performance.

What is an existing Board of Education policy you would like to reform?

I would reform the district’s budgetary process to demand real transparency and alignment with student outcomes. Too often, spending is disconnected from results and favors central-office priorities over classrooms. We need performance-linked budgeting that ties every major expenditure to clear, measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) in literacy, math, and attendance.

What is an "out there" change that you would make to state/local government policy, if you could? For the purpose of this question, you are not constrained to the office of the Board of Education.

I would advocate for a mandatory 'Public Dashboard' for every department in SFUSD. If a department cannot demonstrate a positive impact on student literacy or math scores—or at least provide a clear operational efficiency—they should be subject to an immediate audit and restructuring. We must transition from an era of endless excuses to an era of transparent, data-driven management.

Executive Leadership

Please describe your experience running or governing large organizations, managing teams (including hiring, firing, and performance management), driving cultural change and clear communication throughout all levels, effective financial management (budgets, reporting, audit, etc.), and any other relevant experience.

I currently manage multiple real estate properties involving complex budgets, vendors, renovations, and tenant relations, requiring careful financial oversight, strategic planning, and accountability. As Vice Chair of the Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee, I review large-scale audits, challenge inefficiencies, and help ensure public funds are managed responsibly and transparently.

These experiences have strengthened my ability to evaluate complex financial decisions, ask tough and constructive questions, and hold leadership accountable for results. I believe effective governance depends on clear communication, measurable goals, sound financial management, and a culture of accountability that keeps the focus on improving outcomes for students.

One of the most critical roles for the Board of Education is to hire/fire, evaluate, and hold accountable the Superintendent of Schools. Please describe your experience working with an executive leader to hold them accountable.

Note: Please remember that this questionnaire will be public, so do not include any personally identifiable information.

On the Bond Oversight Committee, I have worked constructively and firmly with district leadership to enforce compliance, reduce waste, and redirect resources to classrooms. As a member and now a Vice Chair I have helped transition the committee from a passive entity to an active watchdog. Given my construction background, I highlighted the disclosure of 'change order' patterns that were inflating project costs. I believe in setting clear expectations, measuring results against goals, and providing support for leaders who deliver — while holding them accountable when they do not.

In general, how do you approach making difficult decisions that you deem necessary even if unpopular? Please share a relevant example, if applicable.

I approach difficult decisions by grounding them in two things: data and our core duty to students. During my tenure on the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, I pushed for many financial disclosures, including “change orders,” that were initially resisted by some within the district. These items were unpopular, but necessary for the integrity of the funds. My approach is to be transparent about the "why," cite the empirical evidence, and focus on the long-term health of the institution rather than short-term comfort.

The Issues

Next, we will cover the issues that voters tell us they care about. We hope to gain a better understanding of your policy positions, and we hope that you use this opportunity to communicate with voters.

SFUSD remains under fiscal oversight by the California Department of Education (CDE), and continues to experience an ongoing structural deficit. What do you believe is most critical in stabilizing the district’s financial and operational challenges in the short and long term?

My priority is rebuilding trust in SFUSD by delivering measurable student outcomes, practicing transparent governance, and ensuring every dollar supports student success. Great public schools are how we keep families in San Francisco.

I'm running to help restore confidence in SFUSD by focusing relentlessly on measurable student outcomes. I'll practice transparent, accountable governance, make fiscally responsible decisions that protect classrooms, hold the superintendent accountable for results, and ensure every family has access to excellent public schools

SFUSD is off track in meeting student outcome goals. Our reading and math proficiency rates are among the lowest in California. What should our outcome goals be in the short and long term? What do you believe is required to ensure SFUSD improves student outcomes, and what would you do as Board Member to champion closing the achievement gap?

Short-term: Achieve measurable gains in early literacy, 8th-grade math proficiency, and chronic absenteeism, with specific targets for closing achievement gaps. Long-term: Position SFUSD as a high-performing urban district recognized for strong academic outcomes and student success.

As a Board Member, I will champion proven, evidence-based instructional practices—such as implementing the Science of Reading to strengthen early literacy—and ensure schools have the tools and support they need to improve student achievement. I'll expect regular, transparent reporting on student progress, align Superintendent goals with measurable outcomes, and hold district leadership accountable for closing achievement gaps and raising achievement for every student.

Safety and violence prevention remains a top priority for families. As a Board Member, what do you believe is necessary to improve school safety so students are ready to learn?

Students cannot learn if they do not feel safe. We need clear, enforceable codes of conduct and consistent consequences. Safety starts with a welcoming environment, but it also requires effective campus security and proactive engagement with parents and community partners. A safe school is one with clear boundaries and strong adult supervision.

I believe we can have school communities each consider their best choices for safe learning environments, with clear expectations, strong adult supervision, and community-supported safety partnerships, including using School Resource Officers as an option. After a couple of years, we can expand the most effective practices across all schools.

SFUSD continues to face a teacher shortage, especially in special education, STEM, and bilingual programs. What concrete steps do you recommend the Superintendent, with support from the Board, take to recruit and retain great educators?

The Board should push the Superintendent to: streamline hiring, offer competitive compensation and classroom support, expand targeted recruitment for special education/STEM/bilingual, and build strong mentorship programs to improve retention. Reducing bureaucratic burdens on teachers is essential. For too long, educators have felt their ideas get ignored– let’s recognize them for their key roles in helping students have great school experiences. I have spent a year on the Civil Grand Jury working on a report with recommendations on this very topic.

One reason for the budget deficit is declining enrollment. Approximately 30% of children attend private schools, and that percentage is growing. Each student not in SFUSD takes away nearly $15,000 in State funding. What are the top 3 things you believe SFSUD leadership must do to make SFUSD more attractive to prospective students and parents? In your role as Board Member, how will you advocate for these things?

1. Dramatically improve core academics — especially literacy and math — so families see clear value.
2. Strengthen school safety and orderly environments.
3. Increase transparency and parent voice so families feel respected and engaged.

As a Board Member, I will advocate aggressively for these priorities and work to rebuild SFUSD as the first choice for San Francisco families.

How can SFUSD improve data transparency and performance reporting, particularly around student achievement, attendance, and spending?

SFUSD should provide a public-facing dashboard with timely, easy-to-understand data on student achievement, attendance, spending, and program effectiveness. Parents, educators, and taxpayers should be able to see both district-wide progress and school-level information, including how resources are being invested and whether those investments are improving student outcomes.

The Board should also receive regular, actionable reports tied to our strategic goals so we can monitor progress, make informed decisions, and adjust course when needed. Greater transparency builds accountability, strengthens public trust, and helps ensure every dollar is being used to support student success.

What examples of effective leadership from SF, or other California school districts, would you emulate in SFUSD? Please be specific with your examples of their leadership and impact.

First, I am really impressed with many principals in our school district right here, including Principal Dr. Raj Sharma of Guadelupe Elementary School, Dr. Vidrale Franklin of Drew Elementary, and Allen Lee of John Yehall Chin Elementary School. All have really worked hard to build strong communities and bring up student test scores in schools with families in less than privileged backgrounds. We can really highlight and expand their good practices.

Second, I have had the privilege to get to know former Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell. She worked well with families in a town where balancing the budget wasn’t a priority. She shared with me that she regularly visited schools and talked to staff at all levels to really get a sense of areas that needed improvement, and then followed up quickly.

Third, I have read many good things about Micah Ali, President of the Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees. He is also founder and conference chairman of the California Association of Black School Educators, a group that recommends many great practices in the California Democratic Party Education platform. Compton has had many years of addressing absenteeism and improving student outcomes using much lower student spending than most California school districts.

Personal

Tell us a bit about yourself!

Do/Did you have children in SFUSD? If so, what have you learned about SFUSD that other parents would benefit from? If not, why not?

While my daughter did not attend SFUSD, I am deeply committed to ensuring every San Francisco child has access to excellent neighborhood public schools. (My wife and I sent our daughter to a french bilingual school as my wife is half-Algerian and she herself went to such a school.) My nephew is a current SFUSD high school student, and my classroom volunteering gives me direct insight into the challenges and opportunities our schools face.

Did you attend SFUSD or public primary schools in other cities? How do our schools differ from when you were a student?

I am a proud SFUSD graduate (Argonne Elementary, Presidio Middle, Lowell High). When I was a student, we had a bit more resources and more encouragement to pursue excellence. We continue to have great school cultures and communities. What we have now is less focus on improving student outcomes.

SFUSD gave me a strong foundation despite personal challenges. Today, we must restore high expectations, academic rigor, and fiscal responsibility so the next generation has even better opportunities.

How long have you lived in San Francisco? What brought you here and what keeps you here?

Lifelong San Franciscan. I love this city and am committed to making its public schools a source of pride and opportunity again.

What do you love most about San Francisco?

Its diversity, creativity, and the incredible potential of our kids and communities.

What do you dislike the most about San Francisco?

To be honest, the time it takes for good change to happen in fixing public schools, building housing, and making downtown more thriving..

Tell us about your current involvement in the community (e.g., volunteer groups, neighborhood associations, civic and professional organizations, etc.).

Vice Chair of the SFUSD Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee, twice-weekly kindergarten volunteer in a high-need school via the San Francisco Education Fund, and active in District 8 community and parent advocacy.

Why do you want to run for public office?

I am a product of SFUSD—from Argonne to Lowell—and I am raising my family here. I participated in the Board of Education recall because I saw a district failing the very children it was meant to serve. We have successfully restored sanity to the Board, and now I am running to ensure we don't backslide. I have the professional background to do the hard work of the next four years: balancing the budget, protecting academic rigor, and acting as a steady, data-driven steward for the families of San Francisco.

Thank you

Thank you for giving us your time and answering our questionnaire. We look forward to reading your answers and considering your candidacy!