SF Board of Education President Hydra Mendoza to become Deputy Chancellor in New York City’s Department of Education

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SF Board of Education President Hydra Mendoza to become Deputy Chancellor in New York City’s Department of Education

Press Release

San Francisco (August 6, 2018) - Hydra Mendoza, president of the SF Board of Education, announced today she will be stepping down from the Board at the end of September. President Mendoza will be moving to New York City’s Department of Education (NYC DOE) to serve as Deputy Chancellor for Community Empowerment, Partnerships and Communications.

According to the NYC DOE she will lead the DOE’s work to empower families and communities, while increasing awareness and support for New York City’s public schools. Mendoza will oversee the divisions of Family and Community Empowerment, Communications, External and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Translation and Interpretation Services.

“Having had the privilege and honor to serve both the City and school district has provided me the opportunity to leverage the city’s services and resources for the benefit of the children and families of San Francisco,” said President Hydra Mendoza. “I’ve learned from the successes and challenges of our collective efforts over the years and I will bring these lessons with me to New York. I’m grateful to have worked with so many amazing people and will miss my San Francisco community.”

In addition to serving on the SF Board of Education, Mendoza served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Equity to the Mayor of San Francisco, where she was responsible for developing strong communications and partnerships between educational institutions, community based organizations as well as private sector partners. For thirteen years she advised the mayor and city electeds on key education policy matters.

Prior to her role as the Mayor's Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Equity, President Mendoza served as Senior Advisor for Education to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom from 2005-2011. She was the founding member and former executive director of Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco. Mendoza was a preschool teacher and acting director of a local preschool.  She is the first and only Filipina elected to office in San Francisco, having been elected to the San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education in 2006, 2010 and 2014, where she is currently serving as President of the Board.

"Board President Hydra Mendoza has been instrumental in rallying the whole community in support of San Francisco's public schools. Through brokering strong partnerships with parents, educators, elected officials, community groups and businesses, President Mendoza has brought critical resources to our highest need students, increased compensation and recognition for our educators and helped to move our schools closer to our vision for 21st century learning," said Superintendent Vincent Matthews. "San Francisco's loss is New York's gain."

Mendoza will begin serving as Deputy Chancellor at NYC DOE in early October. Her last regular meeting of the SF Board of Education will be September 25. Thereafter Vice President Stevon Cook will become the new board president and a new vice president will be elected by fellow board members. Under the City charter, the San Francisco mayor has the authority to select an interim board member to serve until new members are elected and sworn-in.

“From her years as the head of Parents for Public Schools to over a decade on the Board of Education, President Mendoza has committed her career to improving the lives of families and educators in San Francisco. We are grateful for her service and send her our best wishes as she seeks to continue to make an impact in her new role in New York City,” said SF Board of Education Vice President Stevon Cook.

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Page updated on 08/06/18

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