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District 5 candidates weigh in on school district shakeup

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Here’s the latest in our “Meet the Candidates” series for District 5, in which we ask each candidate to answer one question per week leading up to the election. Four candidates are challenging incumbent Supervisor Dean Preston to represent District 5, which spans from the east end of Golden Gate Park through Haight-Ashbury, Japantown and the Western Addition, the Lower Haight and Hayes Valley, and most of the Tenderloin.


First we had school closures, and talks of a city intervention and a state takeover. Then we had the superintendent resign, and school closures were off the table. For our last week of questions, we asked our candidates what they think of the whole situation at San Francisco Unified School District.


District 5 candidate Bilal Mahmood

Bilal Mahmood

  • Job: Founder of private and philanthropic organizations
  • Age: 37
  • Residency: Tenant in District 5 since May 2023
  • Transportation: Walking
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, master’s degree from University of Cambridge
  • Languages: English, Urdu

As I’m sure many residents feel, it’s been frustrating to watch the issues with SFUSD snowball during the past years, further exacerbated by mismanaged finances for years.

While school closures will be needed over time, it’s clear this process was hastily conducted by the previous superintendent, and it is welcome news that there is now new leadership to better manage the process into the future. Ultimately, it’s critical to focus efforts on this to ensure students are adequately supported and families can trust there is stability in our education system.

Endorsed by: Mayor London Breed, TogetherSF Action, San Francisco YIMBY, State Sen. Scott Wiener and DCCC Chair Honey Mahogany … read more.


District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston

Dean Preston

  • Job: Incumbent, tenant attorney
  • Age: 54
  • Residency: Homeowner, in District 5 since 1996
  • Transportation: Public transit
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College, juris doctor degree from University of California Law, San Francisco
  • Languages: English

As a public school parent and D5 supervisor, I’m proud of our students, families, educators and school staff who, despite years of underfunding and leadership transitions, continue to push forward. 

I opposed the school closure plan. Here is the statement I issued. I am relieved that the district has now abandoned this misguided effort to shutter so many schools in 2025. 

Our city needs to come together to address the severe challenges that our students, families, and educators face, including understaffing, student mental health challenges, bullying, racism, and more. I hope the change of Superintendent brings positive change to SFUSD.

Endorsed by: Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Public Defender Mano Raju, United Educators of San Francisco, San Francisco Labor Council, San Francisco Tenants Union, National Union of Healthcare Workers … read more.



Source: missionlocal.org

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