School board president heading to New York City
San Francisco school board President Hydra Mendoza will resign her post at the end of September to take a job as deputy chancellor in New York City.
Mendoza announced her resignation Monday.
She will step down with three months remaining on her four-year term.
Mendoza was elected to the school board in 2006 and re-elected in 2010 and 2014. During that time, she also served Mayor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Ed Lee as their education advisers.
Mendoza focused many of her efforts on the board to create teacher housing, improve instruction in science, math and technology and increase private and philanthropic support of public education.
“Having had the privilege and honor to serve both the city and school district has provided me the opportunity to leverage the city’s services and resources for the benefit of the children and families of San Francisco,” she said in a statement. “I’m grateful to have worked with so many amazing people and will miss my San Francisco community.”
She had previously announced she would not seek a fourth term on the school board and also would not continue serving as education adviser under Mayor London Breed.
Mendoza will work for San Francisco’s former Superintendent Richard Carranza, who became New York City chancellor in April.
“Through brokering strong partnerships with parents, educators, elected officials, community groups and businesses, President Mendoza has brought critical resources to our highest-need students, increased compensation and recognition for our educators and helped to move our schools closer to our vision for 21st century learning,” said San Francisco Superintendent Vincent Matthews. “San Francisco’s loss is New York’s gain.”
Breed could appoint a replacement for the remainder of Mendoza’s term or leave the position open until new board members, chosen in the November election, start their terms in January.