San Francisco School Board Appointee Phil Kim to Face 2026 Election After Controversial Appointment

San Francisco, CA – Phil Kim, appointed to the San Francisco Board of Education in August 2024 by Mayor London Breed, is slated to face an election in November 2026, a development that has drawn public scrutiny and calls for his removal. The appointment followed the abrupt resignation of then-Board President Lainie Motamedi, placing Kim in a critical role amidst the San Francisco Unified School District's (SFUSD) ongoing financial crisis and planned school closures.

The circumstances of Kim's arrival on the board have fueled public debate, with some expressing a preference for elected representation. As one social media user, Ta Son, stated in a recent tweet, "> It's remarkable that Phil Kim was not even elected to the school board. He was appointed by former Mayor London Breed. We will hopefully vote him out of office next year." This sentiment reflects a broader discussion regarding accountability for appointed officials.

Kim's appointment came as SFUSD grapples with a significant budget deficit, declining enrollment, and the contentious process of school closures and mergers. The district had been under state oversight due to its financial woes, requiring substantial cuts. Superintendent Maria Su announced in June 2025 that SFUSD had balanced its 2025-26 budget through $113 million in cuts, largely from staffing reductions, with further cuts anticipated for 2026-27.

Prior to his appointment, Kim, an educator with a decade of experience, served as the Executive Director of School Strategy and Coherence within SFUSD. His background also includes work with KIPP, a charter school system, which has drawn criticism from groups like the United Educators of San Francisco (UESF). UESF expressed concern about his charter school affiliation and the lack of educator input in the appointment process.

The 2026 election will mark Kim's first opportunity to secure an elected term on the board, serving the remainder of Motamedi's term which expires in January 2027. The upcoming vote will test public confidence in appointed officials, particularly in light of the 2022 recall of three school board members, which was driven by widespread dissatisfaction with the board's management and priorities. The election will be a key moment for San Francisco voters to weigh in on the district's leadership and strategic direction.