1.5 SFUSD Board of Education

SFUSD Board of Education

What is the Board of Education?

The Board of Education is composed of seven members, elected at large to serve four-year terms. It is subject to local, state, and federal laws. The board determines policy for all public schools, from Kindergarten through twelfth grade (TK–12) in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).  

The Board of Education is responsible for establishing educational goals and standards; approving curriculum and setting  the SFUSD budget (which is independent of the City’s budget); confirming the appointment of personnel; approving purchases of equipment, supplies, and services; approving leases, renovation, and new construction; and adopting union contracts.

How does the Board of Education operate?

In order to manage the day-to-day administration of SFUSD, the Board of Education appoints a superintendent of schools, and each year, at its first Regular Meeting in January, it elects a Board president and a Board vice-president.  There are four standing committees, each composed of three Board Members appointed by the President.  The current committees are:  Buildings, Grounds, and Services; Budget and Business Services; Curriculum and Programs; and Rules, Policy, and Legislation.  

The various Committees may investigate, deliberate, and recommend to the full Board; they cannot legislate or administer.  The Board of Education receives community input on decisions by appointing Citizens Advisory Committees to counsel the Board on specific issues.

For information about Board of Education Commissioners and meetings, please see www.sfusd.edu/boe

Diagram of how the Board of Education works

This page was last updated on November 29, 2022