Statement for San Francisco Unified School District Meeting

Good evening Mr. Chairman and board members.

My name is LaMonte Bishop and I am here of behalf of Senator Carole Migden to read a statement regarding the proposed closing of Daniel Webster Elementary School.

The statement reads:

I have enjoyed a long history of working both locally and from Sacramento with the school district to resolve issues that were critical to the education of our students and the solvency of the San Francisco Unified School District.

In 1999, I urged the State Department of Education to review the financial matters of the district in hopes of garnering a better understanding of the cash strapped office.

More recently, I’ve worked with the school board and Superintendent Arlene Ackerman to equalize state funding for our public schools so that local charter school did not become a drain on local budgets.

I understand the current situation with enrollment and the dilemma the District finds itself in at this juncture.

Daniel Webster for generations has served the children from Potrero Hill, the Bayview, the Mission, and the Tenderloin, creating a very diverse population and a mecca for educational growth.

Since Ms. Anderson’s arrival at Daniel Webster, we have seen improvements in test scores, enrollment and revitalized community support of the school.

I strongly urge you to take a second look at Daniel Webster, before a final decision is made. The community is rightfully interested in saving its neighborhood school, and you should revisit any practical course of action that could achieve that end.

Thank you.
Senator Carole Migden