Welcome back to our “Meet the Candidates” series, where candidates for the San Francisco Unified School Board of Education respond to questions each week in 100 words or fewer. Answers will be published every Friday.
Mission Local includes all eight of the candidates who will appear on the November ballot. They are as follows: Autumn Brown Garibay, Virginia Cheung, Alida Fisher, Ryan Hazelton, Phil Kim, Laurance Lee, Reina Tello and Tim Tung.
Each candidate is first ordered alphabetically, then rotated each week.
Unlike other races on the San Francisco ballot, the winning candidates for school board will find themselves serving the next four years with two of their former opponents.
The seven-person San Francisco Unified School District school board has two incumbents — Phil Kim and Alida Fisher — up for reelection. Lisa Weissman-Ward, elected in 2022, decided not to run again. That leaves three seats open for the eight candidates running.
Those elected will serve a four-year term until the next midterm election, in 2030.
When asked who among their competitors they would vote for, some candidates said they are voting for their slate. The teacher’s union slate is sticking close together. So are some candidates endorsed by GrowSF. Others gave more ambiguous answers.
This week, we asked: Besides yourself, which of your two fellow candidates are you voting for and why?
Phil Kim
- Job: Deputy Director at San Francisco Agency for Human Rights, incumbent Board of Education president
- Age: 36
- Party: Democratic
- Residency: Renter in the Castro
- Children: None
- SFUSD experience: School board president
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Bucknell University; master’s in education policy and administration from Loyola Marymount University; Pursuing EdD at the University of California, Berkeley
- Languages: English and Korean
- Transportation: Public transit, Walking
- Website: Phil Kim for School Board
I haven’t voted yet, but I look forward to doing so on Election Day!
I have endorsed Autumn Brown Garibay, Tim Tung, and Alida Fisher.
Endorsed by: Mayor Daniel Lurie, State Senator Scott Wiener, Assemblymember Matt Haney, Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, GrowSF, San Francisco Democratic Party, SF Parents Action … read more here.
Laurance Lee
- Job: Volunteer at schools and licensed general contractor
- Age: 56
- Party: Democratic
- Residency: Homeowner in Noe Valley, born in the Richmond District
- Children: Yes, but did not attend SFUSD
- SFUSD experience: Current vice chair SFUSD Citizens Bond Oversight Committee (Appointed in 2022)
- Education: Bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and history & science from Harvard University
- Languages: English (learning Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish and French)
- Transportation: Driving, public transit and walking
- Website: Laurance Lee for School Board
All the candidates appeal to me in different ways, and I have yet to choose my other two votes. We share many priorities, including stronger academic outcomes, safe schools, and supporting teachers.
I’ve spent years digging into SFUSD’s challenges and working with people across the community to find solutions. My work on the Civil Grand Jury and four years on SFUSD’s Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee show that I can tackle difficult governance issues collaboratively and effectively. My broad range of endorsements reflects those relationships and the trust we’ve built. SFUSD gave me my start in life, and I’ll work with…read full response here.
Endorsed by: State Senator Scott Wiener, Chinese American Citizens Alliance San Francisco Lodge, United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 648 … read more here.
Reina Tello
- Job: Community organizer
- Age: 44
- Party: Democratic
- Residency: Renter, born and raised in San Francisco
- Children: Two children: 14, rising eighth grader at James Lick; 18, recently graduated from June Jordan School for Equity
- SFUSD experience: Served on School Site Council two years ago
- Education: Current City College of San Francisco student studying labor and community studies
- Languages: English and Spanish
- Transportation: Driving
- Website: Reina for School Board
As a parent, community organizer and a lifelong resident of San Francisco, I am looking for candidates that will LISTEN, and MOVE WITH COMMUNITY. Accountability is essential, and a non-negotiable for me.
I come from a working class family that believes in the power of unity and respect for working people.
I am proud to be endorsed by UESF and many labor unions, by organizations and individuals who have a vision for a better San Francisco that includes everyone who already lives here, housed or unhoused.
My slate mates Ryan Hazelton and Virginia Cheung share that vision, and I am proud…read full response here.
Endorsed by: United Educators of San Francisco, San Francisco Rising Action Fund, Teamsters Local 853, Board of Education Commissioner Matt Alexander, Supervisor Connie Chan, Supervisor Jackie Fielder, Supervisor Chyanne Chan, Supervisor Shamann Walton … read more here.
Tim Tung
- Job: Public finance analyst, research analyst, public finance lecturer
- Age: 46
- Party: Democratic
- Residency: Homeowner in the Western Addition, previously lived in the Richmond and SoMa
- Children: Two children at Chinese Immersion School at De Avila
- SFUSD experience: Chair of the school site council at the Chinese Immersion School at De Avila; serves on SFUSD’s local control and accountability plan advisory committee
- Education: Bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in information and data science from the University of California, Berkeley; master’s degree in public administration from San Jose State University
- Languages: English
- Transportation: Driving, public transit and walking
- Website: Tim Tung for School Board
Besides myself, I’m supporting Phil Kim and Autumn Brown Garibay because they bring complementary strengths to the Board. Phil’s experience as a public school teacher and education policy leader, along with his leadership as Board President, gives him valuable insight into instruction, governance, and district operations. Autumn’s experience as a public school parent and PTA leader gives her a strong understanding of the challenges families face navigating SFUSD and advocating for their children. Together, we can bring professional expertise, school-community perspectives, and a shared commitment to accountability and better student outcomes to the Board.
Endorsed by: GrowSF, State Senator Scott Wiener, Nancy Tung, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, Supervisor Matt Dorsey, Supervisor Stephen Sherrill, Supervisor Alan Wong, Supervisor Danny Sauter … read more here.
Autumn Brown Garibay
- Job: Senior customer success manager at Sprout Social, Inc.
- Age: 41
- Party: Democratic
- Residency: Renter in the Mission District
- Children: Three in SFUSD schools
- SFUSD experience: PTA at kids’ school, served on the Parent Leadership Council of the San Francisco Parent Coalition
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in public relations and marketing from Long Beach State University and Sacramento State University
- Languages: English
- Transportation: Public transit, walking and biking
- Website: Autumn Brown Garibay for School Board
I’ve endorsed Phil Kim, Alida Fisher, and Tim Tung. I have a lot of respect for each of them and the perspectives that they would bring to the Board of Education. I haven’t cast my ballot yet, but I’m excited to vote in this election! Everyone has worked very hard to share their opinions and hopes for SFUSD with San Francisco’s voters.
Endorsed by: SF Parents Action, GrowSF, San Francisco Democratic Party, State Senator Scott Wiener, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, Supervisor Alan Wong, Supervisor Danny Sauter, Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, Supervisor Matt Dorsey … read more here.
Virginia Cheung
- Job: Chief advancement officer of Open Door Legal
- Age: 43
- Party: Democratic
- Residency: Homeowner in Crocker Amazon, previously lived in the Mission District and the Portola since moving to San Francisco in 2008
- Children: Yes, they attend Alice Fong Yu Alternative School and Wah Mei School
- SFUSD experience: Treasurer for Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco and served on the Parent Advisory Board of Wah Mei BASE ExCel
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in social ecology with a minor in digital art, University of California, Irvine
- Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin and French
- Transportation: Driving
- Website: Virginia Cheung for School Board
I’m voting for Reina Tello because, as a single mother and daughter of immigrants, her story resonates with mine. As a community organizer, she has fought for nonprofit funding, economic mobility for historically excluded communities, and environmental protections. Stronger community health and well-being lead to better student outcomes.
I’m also voting for Ryan Hazelton. Raised in a union family, Ryan understands working families. As Executive Director of Mariposa Kids and Chair of SF Child Care Planning and Advisory Council, he has fought to protect and expand early care and education. He will partner with educators to deliver excellent education programs for students.
Endorsed by: United Educators of San Francisco, San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council, Assemblymember Matt Haney, Board of Education Commissioner Matt Alexander, Supervisor Connie Chan, Supervisor Jackie Fielder … read more here.
Alida Fisher
- Job: Executive Director at the Community Alliance for Special Education, incumbent Board of Education member
- Age: 51
- Party: Democratic
- Residency: Homeowner in Lakeview/OMI, lived in the Sunset until 2015
- Children: Yes, four adults, ages 18-25. Three have graduated from SFUSD, and the fourth is a senior at Mission High School this year.
- SFUSD experience: Current SFUSD Board of Education member. Has served as Chair of the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education, member or past member of SFUSD’s African American Parent Advisory Council, LCAP Task Force, Charter School Oversight Committee, and PIR/CEIS/CCEIS Committee, PTSAs and SSCs at nine school sites
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Case Western Reserve University
- Languages: English, with limited ability to speak and understand Spanish and French
- Transportation: Driving, public transit and walking
- Website: Reelect Alida Fisher
There are a lot of great candidates in this election cycle! I will vote for the school board candidates who commit to listening to students, families, educators, and the broader community; prioritizing academic excellence and equity; using public resources responsibly; and rebuilding trust in our public schools. Our students deserve schools where every child feels they belong, receives the support they need to thrive, and has access to meaningful opportunities. Ultimately, I urge San Franciscans to vote for candidates whose experience, values, and vision align with their hopes for San Francisco’s public schools.
Endorsements: SF Parents Action, Supervisor Myrna Melgar, Supervisor Shamann Walton, former Supervisor Gordon Mar … read more here.
Ryan Hazelton
- Job: Executive director of Mariposa Kids, a nonprofit for play-based programs for kids ages 1-11
- Age: 43
- Party: Democratic
- Residency: Homeowner in the SoMa, living in San Francisco since 2007
- Children: None
- SFUSD experience: Chair of San Francisco Child Care Planning & Advisory Council, appointed by SFUSD
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of California, San Diego
- Languages: English
- Transportation: Public transit, walking and biking
- Website: Ryan Hazelton for SF School Board
I’m voting for Reina Tello and Virginia Cheung. My vision is a district where families are supported, educators are respected, and every child’s full needs are met. That means putting reserves that are currently well above the state minimum to work for today’s kids and educators, investing early so fewer students fall behind, and making every neighborhood school worth choosing. After four months of running together as a slate, I know Reina and Virginia share that commitment, and I trust them to deliver it.
Endorsed by: United Educators of San Francisco, Harvey Milk Democratic Club, League of Pissed Off Voters, Supervisor Connie Chan, Board of Education Commissioner Matt Alexander, former Supervisor Gordon Mar … read more here.
Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. If you have questions for the candidates, please let us know at rosina@missionlocal.com.
You can register to vote via the sf.gov website.