In the latest installment of our “Meet the Candidates” series, the eight individuals seeking seats on the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) board shared their views on the district’s $139 million reserve. The reserve includes a $28 million state‑mandated fund and is meant to cover emergencies, but candidates differ on how much should be kept aside versus spent on pressing school needs.
Virginia Cheung – Prioritize today’s students
Cheung, a 43‑year‑old chief advancement officer at Open Door Legal, says any reserve above the state‑required minimum should be managed with clear public input. She warns that “over‑accumulating funds can mean understaffed classrooms, lack of paraprofessional support for students with disabilities, and essential programs never reaching children.” With a reported fund balance exceeding $420 million, Cheung would direct money toward reducing chronic absenteeism, expanding community schools, and fixing environmental hazards such as lead and asbestos. Her endorsements include United Educators of San Francisco and several city supervisors.
Alida Fisher – Balance stability with strategic investment
Incumbent board member Fisher, 51, stresses that reserves must protect students from economic uncertainty while avoiding austerity. She argues that “fiscal stability improving” allows the district to use resources strategically to close the opportunity gap, fund restorative practices, and adopt a baseline‑sufficient staffing model. Fisher also calls for better forecasting, position control and transparent contracting. Endorsers include SF Parents Action and Supervisors Myrna Melgar and Shamann Walton.
Ryan Hazelton – Invest in attendance and early intervention
Hazelton, executive director of the nonprofit Mariposa Kids, proposes spending reserve dollars on staff who contact families of chronically absent students, expanding the community‑schools model, and providing early diagnosis for special‑needs children. He believes these steps will boost enrollment, increase attendance‑based revenue, and ultimately save the district money. His supporters include United Educators of San Francisco and the Harvey Milk Democratic Club.
Phil Kim – Use reserves for emergencies and strategic moves
Board president Kim, 36, frames the reserve as a safety net for one‑time emergency expenses or strategic initiatives. He warns that relying on one‑time federal COVID relief to cover ongoing costs created a structural deficit, and that spending emergency dollars on permanent, non‑emergency items would push the district back toward fiscal crisis. Kim’s endorsements feature Mayor Daniel Lurie, State Senator Scott Wiener and several local supervisors.
Laurence Lee – Oversight and prudent budgeting
Lee, a 56‑year‑old licensed general contractor and volunteer, serves as vice chair of the SFUSD Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. He emphasizes careful oversight of bond proceeds and suggests that any use of reserves should be tied to clear, measurable outcomes for students and families. Lee’s campaign is backed by local labor groups and community organizations.
Reina Tello – Community‑focused resource allocation
Tello, a longtime resident of the Mission District, argues that reserves should be allocated to programs that directly benefit neighborhoods with the greatest need, such as after‑school tutoring, mental‑health services, and safe‑to‑learn environments. She calls for a transparent reporting process so taxpayers can see how reserve dollars are spent.
Tim Tung – Data‑driven spending
Tung, a former tech executive, proposes establishing a data‑analytics team to track the impact of reserve spending on student outcomes. He believes that evidence‑based decisions will ensure every dollar supports academic achievement and family stability.
Autumn Brown Garibay – Equity and infrastructure
Garibay, a community organizer, stresses that reserves should fund infrastructure upgrades in schools serving high‑needs populations, including modernizing HVAC systems and improving building safety. She also advocates for equity‑focused grants that help families access school resources.
All eight candidates agree that the reserve must serve students, not sit idle, but they differ on the balance between prudence and immediate investment. Voters will see these positions on the November ballot as the district continues to grapple with the aftermath of the February teachers’ strike, which saw the district dip into reserves to cover health‑care costs and a salary increase for educators.
For more details on each candidate’s full platform and endorsement list, visit their campaign websites linked below.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
