August 14, 2012 

On August 13, 2012 the Executive Board of the United Educators of San Francisco voted to endorse Matt Haney, Beverly Popek, Sam Rodriguez, and Shamann Walton for SFUSD School Board. According to UESF President Dennis Kelly, these four candidates represent a much-needed new perspective for San Francisco’s public schools.

“Our students deserve a School Board that is accountable to them and to their success, not to the un-elected administration of the district,” says Dennis Kelly. “The teachers and paraprofessionals of San Francisco believe that these four candidates represent the perfect mix of experience, dedication, and independence that our students need for continued progress.”

Teachers are committed to getting these four candidates elected to the board. According to UESF Political Director Ken Tray, that includes an unprecedented campaign that will include hundreds of public school teachers reaching out to San Francisco voters by phone, neighborhood walks, and through meetings with community, religious, and civic organizations.                                           

Through the years, UESF has been incredibly successful in getting candidates elected to the SFUSD School Board. In fact, 12 of the last 14 candidates endorsed by UESF have gone on to win a seat on the Board.

UESF members will also work hard this fall to pass Prop. 30, and to defeat Prop. 32 on the statewide ballot. If Prop. 30 fails to pass, San Francisco students face up to 16.5 furlough days over the next two years alone. Defeating Prop. 32, a measure that threatens to silence the political voice of teachers and other union members, is also seen as a high priority.

“The future of our public schools is in the balance in the November election, from sufficient funding for our students, to protecting our political voice, to electing a pro-student, pro-educator School Board,” says Ken Tray. “With so much at stake, we have no choice but to turn out like never before.”