Between February and the November election, Mission Local is asking each District 3 candidate one question per week, and candidates will get 100 words to respond. We will compile all responses to the 40-odd questions on a “Meet the Candidates” page, so that voters can get a full picture of their stances.
Because Supervisor Aaron Peskin terms out next January, six candidates have filed to run for his seat to lead District 3, which includes North Beach, Chinatown, Union Square, the Financial District, Russian Hill and Nob Hill.
Question this week: Do you support the list of potential school closures/mergers? Why or why not.
With three District 3 public schools — Yick Wo, Spring Valley, and Jean Parker elementary schools — facing potential closure, all District 3 candidates have expressed opposition to the current plan.
Danny Sauter
- Job: Executive Director, Neighborhood Centers Together
- Age: 36
- Residency: Tenant in District 3 since 2014
- Transportation: Public transportation
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from Miami University
- Languages: English, Cantonese
Of the 13 impacted schools, four are in District 3. This process has unfairly targeted District 3 and has caused families to further lose trust in the school system. It must be reconsidered.
I do not support the preliminary list. I am deeply concerned by the process and how it has been fraught with delays, errors, and poor communication. In the past week, I have continually met with parents and am committed to being a partner to make sure these decisions are reconsidered. I stand with parents in demanding better for Yick Wo, Spring Valley, Jean Parker, and Redding.*
* Redding is on the preliminary list, but it is not going to be closed; it is proposed to be a welcoming school for Yick Wo students.
Endorsed by: San Francisco Democratic Party, California Democratic Renters Council, Sierra Club, Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club … read more here
Matthew Susk
- Job: Former lead with Divvy Homes
- Age: 32
- Residency: TIC owner, first moved to District 3 in 2007. 2007-2009 while in high school, 2014-2016 after college, 2023-present with his wife.
- Transportation: Walking
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University, master’s in business from Georgetown University
- Languages: English
I strongly oppose the suggested school closings. With a daughter on the way, this is deeply personal to me.
We need true transparency and accountability. Why are some of District 3’s highest-achieving schools impacted? These closures will disrupt communities and take away the quality education our kids deserve.
Clear communication is essential to ensure closures actually benefit students and lead to real improvements. World-class public schools are vital to our city’s success, and supporting them must always be a top priority.
Wendy Ha Chau
- Job: Attorney
- Age: 44
- Residency: Tenant in District 3 since 2009
- Transportation: Walking
- Education: Juris doctor degree from John F. Kennedy University
- Languages: English
Before I answer the question, I believe the public must be informed on why the schools are closing.
Schools are closing because enrollment is down. Families are moving out of San Francisco, and the people staying in SF are not having enough children to fill the vacancies.
Why are families moving out? Why aren’t San Franciscans having more children? Answer: It is way too expensive to raise a family in San Francisco, and the homeless situation is out of control.
My child goes to a 95% Asian enrolled public school, and it’s a great school, but my child has to see … read more here
Moe Jamil
- Job: Deputy city attorney, San Francisco City Attorney’s Office
- Age: 46
- Residency: Owner-occupied condo owner, living in District 3 since May 2014
- Transportation: Walking
- Education: University of California, Berkeley, and law school at Santa Clara University, K-12 public school
- Languages: English, Cantonese
I oppose simultaneously closing Yick Wo, Spring Valley and Jean Parker, all located within close proximity to each other. These closures disproportionately harm the Chinese American community and will result in more families moving out of District 3. Any decisions regarding closures should be deferred until the new school board is in place next year and a better plan can be formulated that is geographically equitable and that will not displace families.
Endorsed by: San Francisco Tenants Union, San Francisco police Officers Association, San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council, Board President Aaron Peskin … read more here
Sharon Lai
- Job: Economic recovery leader at the World Economic Forum, former board member at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
- Age: 41
- Residency: Tenant and owner, living in District 3 since 2023, first moved to SF in 2005
- Transportation: Walk and Muni when solo, drive when with kids
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from University of California, Berkeley, development studies and city and regional planning; master’s degree in public administration, Harvard Kennedy School
- Languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese
No. The Superintendent’s management, approach to balancing the budget, and nontransparent, flawed process in establishing the potential closure list has left our community feeling shut out of the process and unable to trust the evaluation.
The list disproportionately impacts District 3 and the city’s AAPI population. Families from these backgrounds already face numerous challenges, and this threat of school closures adds an additional unfair burden.
As a mother of two school-aged children, and a family rights advocate having fought against the likes of big tobacco, I stand with families to demand a fairer, more open process that centers on students.
Endorsed by: Community Tenants Association, Teamsters Joint Council 7, 7 of the current Board of Supervisors … read more here
Eduard Navarro
- Job: Tech startup founder
- Age: 44
- Residency: Tenant in District 3 since December 2021
- Transportation: Walking, public transportation
- Education: CFA Institute: Chartered Financial Analyst, passed level 1. Master’s degree from Columbia University, architecture, concentration in urban design. Master’s degree from Columbia University, real estate development, concentrating in finance. Ecole d’Architecture de La Villette. Bachelor’s degree in architecture from Georgia Institute of Technology.
- Languages: Spanish, French, German, English, Valèncian (Catalan)
I do not support the closure of any school. Schools are vital to the fabric of our communities, and even the mention of closing them is already having long-term negative effects.
Instead of shutting schools down, we should explore more innovative ways to utilize our real estate and improve education delivery.
My experience with the small schools movement shows that there are creative alternatives to closures, and I believe SFUSD can and must do better.
We are San Francisco! We should be focused on making our school system the best in the country and the world, not reducing its capacity.
Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. If you have questions for the candidates, please let us know at yujie@missionlocal.com.
Illustrations for the series by Neil Ballard.
You can register to vote via the sf.gov website.
