Every resident of San Francisco should care about schools because our city’s future depends on keeping families here.
Families leave San Francisco for many reasons: cost of housing, quality of life — and schools. Well-run public schools are essential for a city to function and thrive. Good public schools are possible only when we give teachers what they need for success.
Better teacher and paraprofessional pay is a must. To attract and retain the most qualified and motivated educators, we must pay a living wage so teachers can live in the city where they teach. We also need to provide the basics. We have elementary schools that lack heat, soap, and chairs that fit 1st graders.
Academics should be a top priority while acknowledging the social and emotional needs of students. Today’s kids have experienced a level of trauma from pandemic closures to school shootings that their parents and grandparents never had to contend with. Learning for the current generation will require feeling safe and secure. They will need extra support to heal.
We must treat parents like partners and offer the courses and programs that will make parents want to choose public schools. This includes advanced classes for high-performing students — and 8th grade algebra. Parents want more public magnet schools in language, arts and sciences. We need permanent merit-based admissions at Lowell High School and the creation of more Lowells across the city. We also need a school assignment system that lets more kids attend their neighborhood school.
This is the equation we must follow: Support teachers + center students + partner with parents = good schools.
[Click to read Joel's full platform on education]
Joel is a dog person and he knows that dogs are loved as members of many families. Dogs are good for kids, seniors and our souls. They bring neighbors together and help build community.
We need more shared, open space for families and responsible dog owners to safely play and relax together. This includes areas where dogs can run off-leash and areas for people who do not want to interact with dogs.
We can also be good stewards of the environment without overly restricting where people and pets can go in our parks.
[Click to read Joel's full platform on dogs]