San Francisco School Board President Resigns

San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced the appointment of Phil Kim to the San Francisco Board of Education on Friday, following the unexpected resignation of School Board President Lainie Motamedi. Motamedi cited personal and health reasons for her departure, prompting the city to swiftly fill the vacancy. Kim, an educator with significant experience in K-12 and STEM education, previously held a senior leadership role within the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), where he focused on enhancing the district's educational strategies. Motamedi, who was appointed by Mayor Breed in 2022, played a pivotal role in the school board's recent efforts to stabilize the district. Her tenure was marked by initiatives to increase teacher salaries and improve the district's payroll system and overall financial health. She was appointed president of the school board in January 2023 and was recognized for her collaborative leadership style during her time in office. In a press release, Mayor Breed expressed gratitude for Motamedi's contributions, highlighting her clear vision for improving schools and supporting educators. "She stepped into office with a clear vision about what needed to be done to improve our schools," Breed stated, acknowledging the challenges faced by the district during Motamedi's leadership. As the school board transitions to new leadership with Kim's appointment, the focus remains on continuing the progress made in recent years to enhance educational outcomes for San Francisco students.