Matt Wayne, who has served as superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District for two years, will continue to lead the district while receiving assistance from a new School Stabilization Team created by San Francisco Mayor London Breed.

The team will consist of experts from city government, who will receive support from Special Advisor Carl Cohn, a veteran educator who was superintendent of California’s Long Beach Unified and San Diego Unified school districts.

The 49,560-student school district began the 2024-25 school year facing school closures due to declining enrollment and a $400 million budget deficit.

In a joint statement to the community, Wayne and school board president Matt Alexander wrote that they are committed to working together to get the district back on track. They outlined four priorities for the school district: balancing the budget, rehabilitating its fiscal and operations systems, expanding the school bond program, and right-sizing the district’s school portfolio.

“We are committed to stabilizing the district, meeting our ambitious goals to improve student outcomes and honoring our guardrails,” read the statement. “In order to do so, we must work together to make tough decisions and deliver results for our students.”

To help aid the work of the School Stabilization Team, the mayor will provide approximately $8.4 million in financial support to the district through emergency grants.

NYC, Louisville, and Fort Worth Leaders to Depart

David Banks, chancellor for New York City Public Schools, recently announced he is retiring from the district he has led since 2022.

During his tenure, the nation’s largest school system launched NYC Reads, an initiative to bring science-of-reading and phonics-based learning methods to all students. In addition, the district launched NYC Solves, a citywide initiative to raise math achievement; implemented universal dyslexia screenings; opened nine new schools; and expanded gifted and talented programs.

On Oct. 16, Melissa Aviles-Ramos will succeed Banks as chancellor. Aviles-Ramos is a veteran educator who currently serves as the school system’s deputy chancellor for family and community engagement and external affairs. She began her career in the New York City school system in 2007 as an English teacher.

Marty Pollio, superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Ky., will retire effective July 1, after having led Kentucky’s largest school district for seven years.

Under his leadership, the district created the nationally recognized Academies of Louisville, installed a districtwide literacy and numeracy program, overhauled the student assignment plan, and built new schools and athletic facilities.

Pollio began his career as a high school social studies teacher in 1997, and he served as a high school principal and acting superintendent before taking the superintendent position permanently.

Angélica Ramsey, superintendent of Texas’ Fort Worth Independent School District, recently resigned from the school system she has led since 2022.

During her tenure, the district rose from a D to a C rating, graduation rates increased, and a new elementary school opened. Before coming to Fort Worth, Ramsey was superintendent of the Midland Independent School District in Texas.

Karen Molinar, a deputy superintendent, was named the school system’s interim leader. She previously served as interim superintendent in 2022.