San Francisco School Board "Good Governance" Meeting Draws Just 6 Public Attendees Amidst Notice Controversy

San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Board of Education held an unusual 9:00 AM Sunday meeting to discuss "Good Governance" that attracted only six members of the public, sparking questions about transparency and adherence to public notice standards. The meeting, which was announced late Friday afternoon, reportedly conflicted with the Board's own Rule 9320, requiring 72 hours' notice "where possible" for such gatherings, despite California's Brown Act allowing for shorter notice in special circumstances.

According to John Trasviña, a former dean at the University of San Francisco School of Law and author of a report on the meeting for The Voice of San Francisco, the Board's General Counsel, Manuel Martinez, advised that the conflict with internal rules could merely be "noted." This occurred despite the meeting not qualifying as an "emergency," for which separate rules exist. The low public attendance underscored concerns about accessibility for working families and those with other Sunday commitments.

During the "Good Governance" session, Board President Phil Kim initiated discussions on policy changes aimed at streamlining commissioner debate and reducing the volume of questions posed to school district staff. Governance advisor AJ Crabill, flown in from the Midwest for the meeting, noted that while the Board's governance had improved over the last decade, it had "flatlined over the past 18 months." President Kim acknowledged, "there has been fire after fire since January, and we can’t keep operating like this."

The meeting also revealed divergent views on public engagement among Board members. Vice President Jaime Huling stated that board meetings "aren’t for or with the public. It is our work in view of the public." Conversely, Commissioner Supryia Ray supported written questions to staff as a vehicle for addressing community concerns, calling it "an important public service." Commissioner Matt Alexander added that staff members found commissioners' questions "so annoying," suggesting nonpublic briefings as an alternative.

The discussion around "Good Governance" comes after recent procedural errors, including a July 29 meeting related to an ethnic studies curriculum. General Counsel Martinez, leading a segment on Robert’s Rules of Order, stated that "no school board follows Robert’s Rules," emphasizing that "the intent of the board is what controls." This perspective, coupled with the unusual meeting time and limited public presence, has fueled a broader debate on the Board's commitment to open governance and community accountability.