San Francisco (November 19, 2025) - The San Francisco Board of Education on Tuesday, Nov. 18 unanimously approved a new two-year contract for Superintendent Dr. Maria Su, extending her leadership of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) through June 2028.
Dr. Su, who was appointed Superintendent in October 2024, will continue to lead California’s seventh-largest school district as it advances academic excellence, fiscal stability, and equitable opportunities for all students.
“The contract for Superintendent Su reflects the Board’s commitment to continuity and stability in leadership so that we can, together, tackle the generational initiatives that enable student success,” said Board of Education President Phil Kim. “In order to make meaningful progress towards our goals, we must maintain focus on the strategies that improve student outcomes, follow through on our fiscal stabilization plan, and address the stubborn challenges the district continues to face. The Board remains committed to partnering with the Superintendent to ensure we keep students at the center of every decision we make.”
Dr. Su has more than 25 years of experience in public service, education, and children and family advocacy in San Francisco. As Superintendent of SFUSD, she oversees a $1.2 billion budget and nearly 9,000 employees, serving approximately 49,000 students. Her leadership emphasizes fiscal responsibility, operational effectiveness, and collaborative engagement to improve student outcomes and restore confidence in district systems.
Under Superintendent Su’s leadership, SFUSD has delivered stability, strengthened classroom instruction, and made measurable progress toward restoring local control. This year the district launched new K-8 math curriculum, addressed longstanding under-resourcing in Special Education and hired a permanent leader to drive improvements, and expanded college, career, and workforce pathways.
This fall San Francisco public schools exceeded the district’s 92% hiring target, supported by a balanced budget that protected teachers, librarians, arts, and essential services. SFUSD is also advancing language immersion expansion, improved school nutrition planning, modernized core technology systems, streamlined hiring, and closed a $114 million deficit without teacher layoffs, all while meeting key benchmarks toward lifting state oversight and strengthening the district’s long-term stability.
Prior to joining SFUSD, Dr. Su served as the Executive Director of the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF) for the City and County of San Francisco. Appointed by then-Mayor Gavin Newsom in 2009, she managed a $350 million budget and led nationally recognized initiatives supporting youth from birth to age 24. Under her guidance, DCYF became a model agency focused on equity, trauma-informed care, and youth success.
“Serving the SFUSD community is the greatest honor of my career,” said Superintendent Dr. Maria Su. “I am grateful for the Board’s confidence and look forward to continuing our work together with students, families, educators, staff, and administrators to build a stronger, more equitable district where every student can thrive.”
“To be a world class city, San Francisco needs a world class public school system,” said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Throughout her time leading our school district, Maria Su has brought much needed stability to SFUSD. With her position now made permanent by the Board of Education, Dr. Su will be able to accelerate her work to strengthen our schools and improve outcomes for our students.”
Dr. Su’s reappointment received support from organizations focused on supporting public schools and youth across the city.
SF NAACP President Jonathon Butler, President Emeritus Amos Brown, and Education Committee Virginia Marshall:
“At a moment when SFUSD needs stability more than ever, we believe Dr. Su is positioned to provide the steady leadership required to guide the district forward. In her short tenure, we have seen how diligently she has worked to stabilize the system, addressing fiscal challenges, engaging directly with community members, and bringing clarity to district operations.”
Latino Task Force Director Ruth Barajas:
“Our community depends on a public school system that is stable, academically focused, and committed to serving every student, especially those who have historically been underserved. Dr. Su has demonstrated the strong and committed leadership required to meet this moment and to move the district forward.”
SF Parents Executive Director Meredith Dodson: “Dr. Su stepped into leadership during a moment of crisis for SFUSD. She brought to SFUSD clarity, stability and a relentless focus to lift our district out of crisis. That kind of leadership in turbulence is rare and instills confidence in parents, teachers, and the community that our public schools are in good hands.”
Association of Asian American Administrators: “The knowledge that she brought in from her experience in DCYF has served to bring SFUSD through an extremely difficult year. This demonstrates strong organizational skills and strong leadership. Since the District is still in a budget crisis in the coming years, there is still much work to be done. It is very important that, at this moment, consistency and stability in leadership are critical.”
A long-time San Francisco resident, Dr. Su lives in the city with her husband and two sons and is a former SFUSD parent. Her personal and professional roots in the community underscore her commitment to creating a brighter future for all San Francisco students. Dr. Su holds a doctorate in Clinical Child Psychology.
About SFUSD
The San Francisco Unified School District is the seventh largest school district in California, serving approximately 49,000 students across more than 130 schools. SFUSD is committed to providing each and every student the quality instruction and equitable support required to thrive in the 21st century.
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