The control board appointed the current superintendent, Paul L. Vance, in July to replace Arlene Ackerman, who left to run San Francisco public schools, but Vance has said he will serve only one to two years. Candidates are appearing throughout the city at forums often marked by a light turnout. Many of the candidates are highlighting their backgrounds, arguing that their experience sets them apart from their opponents. Challengers have been highly critical of school board incumbents, frequently recalling the weeks of infighting last year during selection of a new board president. Amid a series of disputes, members removed one person, installed another, then went back to the first one.
Some incumbents find themselves walking a difficult line.
On the one hand, they argue that their experience in office gives them an important advantage. On the other, they say they were not able to bring dramatic improvements to the school system because they did not have power. I have not had authority. . . . I've never had a chance to do what I was elected to do. Gray and Childs have been arguing that the school system has improved in recent years and that the new board will need to back initiatives already in place to continue addressing the remaining problems.