S.F. school board recall effort hits milestone on signatures
The effort to recall three San Francisco school board members hit a critical milestone, reaching 70,000 signatures, virtually ensuring an election late this year or early next, organizers said Monday.
“Overall we’re so gratified and humbled by the outpouring of support for the school board recall from people in every walk of life and from every part of the city,” said Siva Raj, a parent and organizer of the recall.
Raj said they will submit the signatures for the recall of school board President Gabriela López, Vice President Faauuga Moliga and Commissioner Alison Collins on Sept. 7.
The effort reflects anger and frustration among San Francisco families after public schools remained closed much of last school year as Bay Area other districts and private schools reopened.
While distance learning devastated many families, the board spent significant time and energy on renaming 44 schools, a decision later reversed, and ending the merit-based admission to academically elite Lowell High School.
To qualify for the ballot, the campaign would need 51,325 valid signatures supporting the recall for each board member, or 10% of registered voters.
“Our validity looks quite good, so we’re confident this will qualify,” Raj said Monday.
City officials will have 30 business days to determine whether there are enough signatures.
Moliga declined to comment on the updated status.
“I am waiting for the signature-gathering process to be completed before commenting on the recall,” he said Monday.
It is the first time in 40 years a San Francisco elected official has faced a serious recall effort.
A poll in May showed a 71% negative rating of the school board and just a 10% positive rating.
The local teachers union has officially opposed the recall, saying it would be a financial hit to the district, which covers the cost of school district elections.
The $5 million to $7 million “price tag for the school board recall is yet another blow to public school students, and because UESF loves our communities and cares for students, we oppose this recall effort,” said Cassondra Curiel, president of the United Educators of San Francisco.
San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin also faces a recall effort, with signatures due in October, as does Gov. Gavin Newsom, who could be ousted in a Sept. 14 election.
More than 70,000 people have signed a petition to recall school board members López and Collins, while nearly 67,000 have signed to oust Moliga, according to Raj.
The four other board members, who were elected or re-elected in November and took office in January, were not eligible to face a recall until they had served six months in office.