Education Expert Warns of Serious Challenges
San Francisco schools district must take immediate steps to prevent a potential state takeover, says Carl A. Cohn, a seasoned education expert. Cohn, who was recently brought in by Mayor London Breed to help the district navigate a series of crises, emphasized the importance of maintaining local control. The district, which serves 48,000 students, is facing multiple challenges, including a budget deficit, declining enrollment, and the loss of its superintendent—its second in two years.
Cohn, a well-regarded figure in education, stated, “I remain a huge fan of local control. I believe that if underserved students are to be rescued, it will be by locals, not the state.” He noted that while other districts in California San Francisco Schools face similar problems, San Francisco’s are particularly severe, especially with the loss of federal pandemic relief funds and the district’s declining student population.
Cohn’s Experience and Perspective on School Administration
Cohn’s extensive experience spans decades in public education, including roles as superintendent in the San Diego and Long Beach school districts, and his service on the State Board of Education San Francisco Schools under former Governor Jerry Brown. He is widely respected for fostering accountability and academic excellence, particularly in Long Beach, where he led the district to win the prestigious Broad Prize for Urban Education.
He has also been involved in various investigations and reforms across the U.S., such as examining academic misreporting in Washington D.C. schools and overseeing special education improvements in Los Angeles. Currently, he co-leads an initiative with Harvard professor Jennifer Cheatham to prepare school superintendents for navigating political polarization in education.
Though Cohn has never closed schools himself, he advises against it unless absolutely necessary. He warned that school closures could be seen as the “death of a community,” a view seemingly shared by Mayor Breed. While San Francisco has avoided immediate closure plans, the departure of Superintendent Matt Wayne last week has left the district in a precarious position.
Proposed Solutions for Financial Stability and Avoiding State Control
Cohn emphasizes that effective budget control is key to maintaining local authority and avoiding state intervention. He recalled his time at Long Beach Unified, where strict budget oversight played a crucial role in the district’s success. A similar approach, he believes, could benefit San Francisco, where spending should be aligned with actual enrollment figures, not wishful thinking.
Cohn has proposed gathering all relevant stakeholders, including Mayor Breed’s stabilization team, incoming Superintendent Maria Su, and state education officials, to have an open discussion about the district’s future. He also suggested exploring why many families are choosing private, parochial, and charter schools over public schools in San Francisco. By understanding these choices, the district could develop strategies, such as creating magnet schools or offering better childcare options, to attract more students.
With the mayoral election and several school board seats on the ballot in the coming weeks, the future of San Franciscos school district remains uncertain. Nevertheless, Cohn stresses the importance of ensuring that resources are allocated based on actual need to prevent financial mismanagement and retain local control over the district.
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