Press Release Details
Press Release Message
San Francisco (January 15, 2025) - The San Francisco Board of Education elected its leaders for the 2025 year on Tuesday night. Commissioner Phil Kim was unanimously elected to serve as president, and Commissioner Jaime Huling was unanimously elected to serve as vice president.
President Kim, an educator, was appointed to the Board of Education in August 2024. President Kim has spent the last 12 years in K-12 public education, as a teacher and leader in the local, state, and national levels. In his most recent role at the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), he served as Executive Director of School Strategy and Coherence within the Office of the Superintendent.
In addition to over a decade working in education and his recent experience at SFUSD, President Kim has deep expertise in STEM instruction. He has served on the Board of Directors at LYRIC Center for LGBTQ+ youth, and also serves on the Board of Directors of the Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club. He lives in the Castro neighborhood with his partner Andrew and their Dalmatian, Noe.
“It is an honor to serve in this leadership role during such a critical time for SFUSD and for public education overall,” President Kim said. “Together, we will protect our immigrant and undocumented families, support LGBTQ+ students, address academic and social-emotional needs, and close opportunity gaps. This work must be done in partnership with educators, city leaders, community partners, and always with our families and students at the center.”
Vice President Huling was elected to the Board of Education in November 2024. She has been a public servant for over a decade. As a Deputy City Attorney, she has fought for the people of San Francisco to solve some of its biggest problems, including helping secure $350 million to fight the opioid epidemic on our streets and suing the Trump Administration to stop discrimination in healthcare.
Vice President Huling moved to San Francisco 20 years ago with her now-husband, Darren. She lives in Glen Park and is the mom of an SFUSD elementary student in Spanish immersion and a toddler.
“I appreciate the trust that my colleagues have placed in me in electing me to serve alongside President Kim as vice president. As a board, we are ready to work collaboratively to meet the challenges of this moment, balancing the budget and improving student outcomes. I look forward to supporting Superintendent Su in her charge to ensure that all of our students have the resources and supports they need to thrive,” said Vice President Huling.
“The vote to unanimously elect Phil Kim as School Board President reinforces the mandate voters gave the School Board to raise standards and improve schools,” San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said. “Our public school system is the foundation of a thriving city. San Francisco deserves a world-class system that prepares every student for success in the classroom, in their careers, and in life. Our district’s challenges are immense, and the changes we need to see won’t happen overnight. But with this new board, and with Phil serving as president, we have the chance to make real progress. Together, we will make San Francisco a place where every child has the chance to thrive.”
“I want to extend my congratulations to our new board president and vice president,” SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Maria Su said. “Their leadership marks a new chapter for our district, and I look forward to working together to advance our mission and strengthen the future of our students and community.”
The Board of Education is comprised of seven members, elected at large to serve four-year terms. The board president and vice president are elected by their peers at the first regular board meeting in January of each year and serve a one-year term. The Board determines policy for all public schools, from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, in the San Francisco Unified School District and San Francisco County Office of Education. The Board of Education is responsible for establishing educational goals and standards; approving curriculum; setting the district budget, which is independent of the city's budget; confirming appointment of all personnel; and approving purchases of equipment, supplies, services, leases, renovation, construction, and union contracts.
###