SF school board appoints Maria Su as superintendent, October 2024

On October 22, 2024, Maria Su was officially named the superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District, following the resignation of Matt Wayne. Wayne departed under pressure after his controversial plan to close or merge 13 schools in response to a significant budget deficit stirred up community opposition, including from Mayor London Breed. The board made the decision on a 6-1 vote, indicating some level of contention within the group. Su, who has extensive experience leading large government agencies—specifically as executive director of the city's Department of Children, Youth and their Families—was brought into the superintendent role to stabilize the district, which is grappling with a multimillion-dollar budget deficit and enrollment decline. Her track record suggests strong leadership capabilities essential for navigating the district's operational hurdles. As part of her new responsibilities, Su has outlined her immediate priorities, which include balancing the district's budget to maintain local control, fostering trust within the community, and ensuring that learning environments are optimized for the approximately 49,000 students enrolled. Importantly, she will retain her status as a city employee during her tenure as superintendent. This leadership transition reflects significant changes in the school district's governance approach, showcasing the Board of Education's commitment to addressing fiscal challenges without resorting to drastic measures like school closures for the upcoming school year. The appointment of Karling Aguilera-Fort as the deputy superintendent further emphasizes the focus on stability and operational integrity within SFUSD.