Meaghan Mitchell

Jesse Rogala

Take 7,000-square-feet of space, add a dash of local art, two dozen community partners, seven incubator kitchens and one cocktail bar. Then sprinkle <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/weekofwomeninfood">seven passionate working-class women of color chefs</a>, add a pinch of culturally inspired food, and &#8220;voila&#8221;—you have <a href="https://lacocinamarketplace.com/">La Cocina Municipal Marketplace</a>, San Francisco&#8217;s latest culinary community creation served fresh in the heart of the Tenderloin.&nbsp;

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Take 7,000-square-feet of space, add a dash of local art, two dozen community partners, seven incubator kitchens and one cocktail bar. Then sprinkle <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/weekofwomeninfood">seven passionate working-class women of color chefs</a>, add a pinch of culturally inspired food, and "voila"—you have <a href="https://lacocinamarketplace.com/">La Cocina Municipal Marketplace</a>, San Francisco's latest culinary community creation served fresh in the heart of the Tenderloin.&nbsp;

Take 7,000-square-feet of space, add a dash of local art, two dozen community partners, seven incubator kitchens and one cocktail bar. Then sprinkle <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/weekofwomeninfood">seven passionate working-class women of color chefs</a>, add a pinch of culturally inspired food, and &#8220;voila&#8221;—you have <a href="https://lacocinamarketplace.com/">La Cocina Municipal Marketplace</a>, San Francisco&#8217;s latest culinary community creation served fresh in the heart of the Tenderloin.&nbsp;

Located at 101 Hyde Street, La Cocina&#8217;s Municipal Marketplace, led by the Mission-based culinary nonprofit La Cocina, is a food hall that offers multicultural dining experiences and eats from around the world, including Mexico, Senegal, Algeria and Nepal. Each of the Marketplace’s eight vendors has its own cooking station in the center of the food hall, with communal dining spaces lining the perimeter.&nbsp;

Located at 101 Hyde Street, La Cocina's Municipal Marketplace, led by the Mission-based culinary nonprofit La Cocina, is a food hall that offers multicultural dining experiences and eats from around the world, including Mexico, Senegal, Algeria and Nepal. Each of the Marketplace’s eight vendors has its own cooking station in the center of the food hall, with communal dining spaces lining the perimeter.&nbsp;

Located at 101 Hyde Street, La Cocina&#8217;s Municipal Marketplace, led by the Mission-based culinary nonprofit La Cocina, is a food hall that offers multicultural dining experiences and eats from around the world, including Mexico, Senegal, Algeria and Nepal. Each of the Marketplace’s eight vendors has its own cooking station in the center of the food hall, with communal dining spaces lining the perimeter.&nbsp;

&#8220;Walking into the marketplace is like entering an oasis in the middle of a desert, said <a href="https://www.bonappetit.com/story/chef-jay-foster-closing-restaurants">chef Jay Foster</a>, who is the marketplace&#8217;s manager. &#8220;This project has been in the works for a long time, and to see it come to life and have all these amazing chefs breath their recipes into this place has been incredible and fun to watch.&#8221;

"Walking into the marketplace is like entering an oasis in the middle of a desert, said <a href="https://www.bonappetit.com/story/chef-jay-foster-closing-restaurants">chef Jay Foster</a>, who is the marketplace's manager. "This project has been in the works for a long time, and to see it come to life and have all these amazing chefs breath their recipes into this place has been incredible and fun to watch."

&#8220;Walking into the marketplace is like entering an oasis in the middle of a desert, said <a href="https://www.bonappetit.com/story/chef-jay-foster-closing-restaurants">chef Jay Foster</a>, who is the marketplace&#8217;s manager. &#8220;This project has been in the works for a long time, and to see it come to life and have all these amazing chefs breath their recipes into this place has been incredible and fun to watch.&#8221;

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="2002" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LCMM-Portraits-x-ERIN-NG-Jay-Foster-2500x2002.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3122"/><figcaption>Chef Jay Foster | Photo by Erin Ng</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LCMM-Portraits-x-ERIN-NG-Jay-Foster-2500x2002.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3122"/><figcaption>Chef Jay Foster | Photo by Erin Ng</figcaption></figure>

The concept for the marketplace stems from La Cocina&#8217;s <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/how-the-program-works">business incubator program</a>. La Cocina’s incubator program focuses on training and cultivating restaurant entrepreneurs and chefs who seek to formalize and grow their businesses but do not have the financial means to access a commercial kitchen. When that program launched in 2005, chefs initially operated out of <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/commercial-kitchen-rental">a space</a> in the Mission on Folsom, which nonprofits and licensed businesses can still rent for their food prep needs. Now they’ve found a new home at the Municipal Marketplace.&nbsp;

The concept for the marketplace stems from La Cocina's <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/how-the-program-works">business incubator program</a>. La Cocina’s incubator program focuses on training and cultivating restaurant entrepreneurs and chefs who seek to formalize and grow their businesses but do not have the financial means to access a commercial kitchen. When that program launched in 2005, chefs initially operated out of <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/commercial-kitchen-rental">a space</a> in the Mission on Folsom, which nonprofits and licensed businesses can still rent for their food prep needs. Now they’ve found a new home at the Municipal Marketplace.&nbsp;

The concept for the marketplace stems from La Cocina&#8217;s <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/how-the-program-works">business incubator program</a>. La Cocina’s incubator program focuses on training and cultivating restaurant entrepreneurs and chefs who seek to formalize and grow their businesses but do not have the financial means to access a commercial kitchen. When that program launched in 2005, chefs initially operated out of <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/commercial-kitchen-rental">a space</a> in the Mission on Folsom, which nonprofits and licensed businesses can still rent for their food prep needs. Now they’ve found a new home at the Municipal Marketplace.&nbsp;

The Marketplace’s <a href="https://oewd.org/article/mayor-london-breed-announces-la-cocina-municipal-marketplace-open-tenderloin">lease at 101 Hyde Street</a> is principally funded by the city and county of San Francisco, which allows La Cocina, and the chefs who occupy its food hall, to operate their food stands there at below-market-rate rents until December 2025. Once the lease expires, the city will break ground on an <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/tenderloin-food-hall-project-advances-affordable-housing-to-come-later/">affordable housing development</a>.

The Marketplace’s <a href="https://oewd.org/article/mayor-london-breed-announces-la-cocina-municipal-marketplace-open-tenderloin">lease at 101 Hyde Street</a> is principally funded by the city and county of San Francisco, which allows La Cocina, and the chefs who occupy its food hall, to operate their food stands there at below-market-rate rents until December 2025. Once the lease expires, the city will break ground on an <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/tenderloin-food-hall-project-advances-affordable-housing-to-come-later/">affordable housing development</a>.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1831" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LCMM-Interior-x-ERIN-NG-Communal-Corner-1-2500x1831.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3168"/><figcaption>La Cocina Municipal Marketplace’s community and event space | Photo by Erin Ng</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LCMM-Interior-x-ERIN-NG-Communal-Corner-1-2500x1831.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3168"/><figcaption>La Cocina Municipal Marketplace’s community and event space | Photo by Erin Ng</figcaption></figure>

Until then, each vendor pays $500 to rent their food hall space from La Cocina, and everyone shares the cost of maintenance. At a cost that’s an order of magnitude less expensive than a typical San Francisco market-rate lease, upstart chefs in the Municipal Marketplace have a fighting chance to operate sustainably.&nbsp;

Until then, each vendor pays $500 to rent their food hall space from La Cocina, and everyone shares the cost of maintenance. At a cost that’s an order of magnitude less expensive than a typical San Francisco market-rate lease, upstart chefs in the Municipal Marketplace have a fighting chance to operate sustainably.&nbsp;

&#8220;There&#8217;s just such a high cost of doing business in San Francisco. I had a pop-up in my neighborhood, but when I looked for long-term real estate, I ran into issues,” said chef Tiffany Carter of “Creole bodega” <a href="https://bougcali.com/">Boug Cali</a>, a graduate of La Cocina’s incubator program and currently a tenant at La Cocina’s food hall. “A lot of people that normally would be here to support me don&#8217;t live there anymore, and the people who live in the area with the real estate aren&#8217;t interested in renters like me.&#8221;&nbsp;

"There's just such a high cost of doing business in San Francisco. I had a pop-up in my neighborhood, but when I looked for long-term real estate, I ran into issues,” said chef Tiffany Carter of “Creole bodega” <a href="https://bougcali.com/">Boug Cali</a>, a graduate of La Cocina’s incubator program and currently a tenant at La Cocina’s food hall. “A lot of people that normally would be here to support me don't live there anymore, and the people who live in the area with the real estate aren't interested in renters like me."&nbsp;

&#8220;There&#8217;s just such a high cost of doing business in San Francisco. I had a pop-up in my neighborhood, but when I looked for long-term real estate, I ran into issues,” said chef Tiffany Carter of “Creole bodega” <a href="https://bougcali.com/">Boug Cali</a>, a graduate of La Cocina’s incubator program and currently a tenant at La Cocina’s food hall. “A lot of people that normally would be here to support me don&#8217;t live there anymore, and the people who live in the area with the real estate aren&#8217;t interested in renters like me.&#8221;&nbsp;

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1965" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TIFFANY_CARTER_LCMM-2500x1965.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3131"/><figcaption>Chef Tiffany Carter | Photo by Erin Ng</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TIFFANY_CARTER_LCMM-2500x1965.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3131"/><figcaption>Chef Tiffany Carter | Photo by Erin Ng</figcaption></figure>

Carter completed La Cocina&#8217;s incubator program alongside six other chefs now operating out of the new marketplace and has a long history with the organization. Since La Cocina&#8217;s inception, the organization has incubated over <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/">120 businesses</a>. Prior to COVID, La Cocina also supported the launch of over 30 brick-and-mortar locations throughout the Bay Area which generated <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/new-page-2">$16 million and created over 250 jobs</a>.&nbsp;

Carter completed La Cocina's incubator program alongside six other chefs now operating out of the new marketplace and has a long history with the organization. Since La Cocina's inception, the organization has incubated over <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/">120 businesses</a>. Prior to COVID, La Cocina also supported the launch of over 30 brick-and-mortar locations throughout the Bay Area which generated <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/new-page-2">$16 million and created over 250 jobs</a>.&nbsp;

Carter completed La Cocina&#8217;s incubator program alongside six other chefs now operating out of the new marketplace and has a long history with the organization. Since La Cocina&#8217;s inception, the organization has incubated over <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/">120 businesses</a>. Prior to COVID, La Cocina also supported the launch of over 30 brick-and-mortar locations throughout the Bay Area which generated <a href="https://lacocinasf.org/new-page-2">$16 million and created over 250 jobs</a>.&nbsp;

&#8220;There&#8217;s so much that goes into crafting a recipe, creating a menu and developing a business,” added chef Foster. &#8220;And that&#8217;s the beauty of being part of the program at La Cocina because you learn everything it takes to make it happen.&#8221;

"There's so much that goes into crafting a recipe, creating a menu and developing a business,” added chef Foster. "And that's the beauty of being part of the program at La Cocina because you learn everything it takes to make it happen."

&#8220;There&#8217;s so much that goes into crafting a recipe, creating a menu and developing a business,” added chef Foster. &#8220;And that&#8217;s the beauty of being part of the program at La Cocina because you learn everything it takes to make it happen.&#8221;

Dilsa Lugo, who owns the Mexican restaurant <a href="http://loscilantrosrestaurant.com/">Los Cilantros</a> in La Cocina’s new food hall, was one of the first businesses to enroll in La Cocina’s incubator program in 2007.&nbsp;

Dilsa Lugo, who owns the Mexican restaurant <a href="http://loscilantrosrestaurant.com/">Los Cilantros</a> in La Cocina’s new food hall, was one of the first businesses to enroll in La Cocina’s incubator program in 2007.&nbsp;

&#8220;Since day one, I felt like I found a place I trusted, and they had all the tools that I needed to follow my dream,” Lugo told Here/Say. &#8220;To have a restaurant in this marketplace for me means that I have an opportunity to bring food to the neighborhood and be part of an amazing experience. It&#8217;s an opportunity to sell food, but it&#8217;s also an opportunity to create employment.&#8221;&nbsp;

"Since day one, I felt like I found a place I trusted, and they had all the tools that I needed to follow my dream,” Lugo told Here/Say. "To have a restaurant in this marketplace for me means that I have an opportunity to bring food to the neighborhood and be part of an amazing experience. It's an opportunity to sell food, but it's also an opportunity to create employment."&nbsp;

&#8220;Since day one, I felt like I found a place I trusted, and they had all the tools that I needed to follow my dream,” Lugo told Here/Say. &#8220;To have a restaurant in this marketplace for me means that I have an opportunity to bring food to the neighborhood and be part of an amazing experience. It&#8217;s an opportunity to sell food, but it&#8217;s also an opportunity to create employment.&#8221;&nbsp;

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="2169" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LCMM-Portraits-x-ERIN-NG-Dilsa-Lugo-2500x2169.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3138"/><figcaption>Chef Dilsa Lugo | Photo by Erin Ng</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LCMM-Portraits-x-ERIN-NG-Dilsa-Lugo-2500x2169.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3138"/><figcaption>Chef Dilsa Lugo | Photo by Erin Ng</figcaption></figure>

The marketplace’s location in the Tenderloin District is intentional. With 30,000 residents, the neighborhood is known for being one of the <a href="https://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=The_Tenderloin">most culturally diverse </a>and densely populated in the city yet also struggles with <a href="https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305000">food insecurity</a>.

The marketplace’s location in the Tenderloin District is intentional. With 30,000 residents, the neighborhood is known for being one of the <a href="https://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=The_Tenderloin">most culturally diverse </a>and densely populated in the city yet also struggles with <a href="https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305000">food insecurity</a>.

&#8220;The Tenderloin also has a really high percentage of folks living in single room occupancy housing units or SROs,” said Community Partnerships Manager Naomi Maisel.&nbsp;

"The Tenderloin also has a really high percentage of folks living in single room occupancy housing units or SROs,” said Community Partnerships Manager Naomi Maisel.&nbsp;

&#8220;The Tenderloin also has a really high percentage of folks living in single room occupancy housing units or SROs,” said Community Partnerships Manager Naomi Maisel.&nbsp;

“Many of those rooms do not have the ability to cook and/or store much food because living spaces are not built with kitchens,” she said. &#8220;So that leads to a lot of folks not having the ability to prepare fresh, healthy food for themselves.&#8221;

“Many of those rooms do not have the ability to cook and/or store much food because living spaces are not built with kitchens,” she said. "So that leads to a lot of folks not having the ability to prepare fresh, healthy food for themselves."

“Many of those rooms do not have the ability to cook and/or store much food because living spaces are not built with kitchens,” she said. &#8220;So that leads to a lot of folks not having the ability to prepare fresh, healthy food for themselves.&#8221;

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1667" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LCMM-F_F-x-ERIN-NG-Takeout-2500x1667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3147"/><figcaption>La Cocina’s marketplace manager, chef Jay Foster, serves a customer | Photo by Erin Ng</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LCMM-F_F-x-ERIN-NG-Takeout-2500x1667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3147"/><figcaption>La Cocina’s marketplace manager, chef Jay Foster, serves a customer | Photo by Erin Ng</figcaption></figure>

That’s where La Cocina’s Municipal Marketplace steps in, providing affordable and nutritionally complete meals. The low operating costs allow the marketplace to offer&nbsp; options like a $5 plate daily. EBT cards are also accepted by each food vendor.&nbsp;

That’s where La Cocina’s Municipal Marketplace steps in, providing affordable and nutritionally complete meals. The low operating costs allow the marketplace to offer&nbsp; options like a $5 plate daily. EBT cards are also accepted by each food vendor.&nbsp;

“We live in San Francisco, and some people cannot afford the $8 to12 meals,” said Nafy Flatley of Senegalese cuisine company <a href="http://www.terangajuice.com/">Teranga</a> and one of La Cocina’s tenants. &#8220;It&#8217;s a very wealthy city, with very wealthy people, but there still are people who are dying from hunger. It&#8217;s really hurtful, and that&#8217;s something that I always felt like shouldn&#8217;t happen in this city. It&#8217;s 2021, we shouldn&#8217;t have to worry about people going hungry, so when we decided to do the $5 menu, I thought it was a great idea.&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We live in San Francisco, and some people cannot afford the $8 to12 meals,” said Nafy Flatley of Senegalese cuisine company <a href="http://www.terangajuice.com/">Teranga</a> and one of La Cocina’s tenants. "It's a very wealthy city, with very wealthy people, but there still are people who are dying from hunger. It's really hurtful, and that's something that I always felt like shouldn't happen in this city. It's 2021, we shouldn't have to worry about people going hungry, so when we decided to do the $5 menu, I thought it was a great idea."&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We live in San Francisco, and some people cannot afford the $8 to12 meals,” said Nafy Flatley of Senegalese cuisine company <a href="http://www.terangajuice.com/">Teranga</a> and one of La Cocina’s tenants. &#8220;It&#8217;s a very wealthy city, with very wealthy people, but there still are people who are dying from hunger. It&#8217;s really hurtful, and that&#8217;s something that I always felt like shouldn&#8217;t happen in this city. It&#8217;s 2021, we shouldn&#8217;t have to worry about people going hungry, so when we decided to do the $5 menu, I thought it was a great idea.&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="2068" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LCMM-Portraits-x-ERIN-NG-Nafy-Flatley-2500x2068.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3155"/><figcaption>Chef Nafy Flatley | Photo by Erin Ng </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LCMM-Portraits-x-ERIN-NG-Nafy-Flatley-2500x2068.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3155"/><figcaption>Chef Nafy Flatley | Photo by Erin Ng </figcaption></figure>

As the city starts to reopen, customers can look forward to dining in the space and programming like cooking demos and social events.

As the city starts to reopen, customers can look forward to dining in the space and programming like cooking demos and social events.

“These are some of our ideas, but nothing is actually on the books yet,” added Maisel. “But I&#8217;m working collaboratively with community partners on programming that matches both the values of the community and the marketplace&#8217;s entrepreneurs, so stay tuned.&#8221;&nbsp;

“These are some of our ideas, but nothing is actually on the books yet,” added Maisel. “But I'm working collaboratively with community partners on programming that matches both the values of the community and the marketplace's entrepreneurs, so stay tuned."&nbsp;

“These are some of our ideas, but nothing is actually on the books yet,” added Maisel. “But I&#8217;m working collaboratively with community partners on programming that matches both the values of the community and the marketplace&#8217;s entrepreneurs, so stay tuned.&#8221;&nbsp;

La Cocina Municipal Marketplace is open Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with take-out food options available for now. To keep up with the latest on La Cocina, visit their <a href="https://lacocinamarketplace.com/">website</a>.

La Cocina Municipal Marketplace is open Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with take-out food options available for now. To keep up with the latest on La Cocina, visit their <a href="https://lacocinamarketplace.com/">website</a>.

A recipe for success: Equity is baked into La Cocina Municipal Marketplace

Christina Campodonico

Recent films such as the documentary “<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/framing-britney-spears.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Framing Britney Spears</a>” and Netflix movie “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D40uHmTSPew" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">I Care a Lot</a>” have <a href="https://variety.com/2021/film/news/golden-globes-rosamund-pike-i-care-a-lot-britney-spears-netflix-1234917854/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reawakened</a> dialogue about <a href="https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-conservatorship.htm?rdeLocaleAttr=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservatorship</a>—a legal arrangement where a judge appoints a person or organization to manage the affairs or finances of an adult unable to care for themselves.&nbsp;

Recent films such as the documentary “<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/framing-britney-spears.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Framing Britney Spears</a>” and Netflix movie “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D40uHmTSPew" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">I Care a Lot</a>” have <a href="https://variety.com/2021/film/news/golden-globes-rosamund-pike-i-care-a-lot-britney-spears-netflix-1234917854/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reawakened</a> dialogue about <a href="https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-conservatorship.htm?rdeLocaleAttr=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservatorship</a>—a legal arrangement where a judge appoints a person or organization to manage the affairs or finances of an adult unable to care for themselves.&nbsp;

In San Francisco, the <a href="https://www.sfweekly.com/news/after-months-of-contentious-arguments-s-f-passes-mental-health-conservatorship-bill/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">debate over conservatorship</a> has been raging for at least two years since the&nbsp;California state legislature proposed and passed <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB1045" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SB 1045</a>. The law makes it possible for the county to assume responsibility for someone suffering from a combination of mental health and substance abuse disorders after that person has been placed on at least eight <a href="https://ferc.org/crisis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5150s</a>, or emergency psychiatric holds, within a year’s time.&nbsp;

In San Francisco, the <a href="https://www.sfweekly.com/news/after-months-of-contentious-arguments-s-f-passes-mental-health-conservatorship-bill/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">debate over conservatorship</a> has been raging for at least two years since the&nbsp;California state legislature proposed and passed <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB1045" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SB 1045</a>. The law makes it possible for the county to assume responsibility for someone suffering from a combination of mental health and substance abuse disorders after that person has been placed on at least eight <a href="https://ferc.org/crisis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5150s</a>, or emergency psychiatric holds, within a year’s time.&nbsp;

Critics say the law—authored by State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco)—<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/06/07/san-francisco-plans-force-mentally-ill-addicts-into-system-critics-call-ripe-abuses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">threatens</a> people’s civil liberties, while proponents believe it helps bring stability to those with severe mental health and drug abuse problems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Critics say the law—authored by State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco)—<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/06/07/san-francisco-plans-force-mentally-ill-addicts-into-system-critics-call-ripe-abuses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">threatens</a> people’s civil liberties, while proponents believe it helps bring stability to those with severe mental health and drug abuse problems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Yet as hotly as it was contested, since SB 1045 passed in 2018, <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/conservatorship-off-to-a-slow-start-with-just-one-person-in-court-ordered-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">only one person</a> has been conserved in San Francisco. As of Jan. 31, 63 people have been identified as at risk for conservatorship, seven are on the pathway to conservatorship and 10 are being treated through less restrictive options. Those numbers were revealed <a href="https://sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&amp;ID=9236437&amp;GUID=B8AF9B63-766B-4411-8337-BFC24F9F38E2">during a presentation</a> on SF’s <a href="https://www.sfdph.org/dph/files/housingconserv/HousingConservatorshipFactSheet%20.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Housing Conservatorship</a> pilot program to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on March 11.&nbsp;

Yet as hotly as it was contested, since SB 1045 passed in 2018, <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/conservatorship-off-to-a-slow-start-with-just-one-person-in-court-ordered-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">only one person</a> has been conserved in San Francisco. As of Jan. 31, 63 people have been identified as at risk for conservatorship, seven are on the pathway to conservatorship and 10 are being treated through less restrictive options. Those numbers were revealed <a href="https://sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&amp;ID=9236437&amp;GUID=B8AF9B63-766B-4411-8337-BFC24F9F38E2">during a presentation</a> on SF’s <a href="https://www.sfdph.org/dph/files/housingconserv/HousingConservatorshipFactSheet%20.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Housing Conservatorship</a> pilot program to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on March 11.&nbsp;

District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/Open-Forum-San-Francisco-should-adopt-state-s-13827334.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">is a major supporter</a> of SB 1045’s adoption at the county level. But he’s disappointed with its slow implementation and impact so far.&nbsp;

District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/Open-Forum-San-Francisco-should-adopt-state-s-13827334.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">is a major supporter</a> of SB 1045’s adoption at the county level. But he’s disappointed with its slow implementation and impact so far.&nbsp;

“It&#8217;s been nearly two years since the board vigorously debated and ultimately opted into SB 1045,” Mandelman said. “I said at that time that even if SB 1045 only helped one person, I believed it was worth doing. And I still believe that, but I didn&#8217;t think it would actually literally be just one person.”

“It's been nearly two years since the board vigorously debated and ultimately opted into SB 1045,” Mandelman said. “I said at that time that even if SB 1045 only helped one person, I believed it was worth doing. And I still believe that, but I didn't think it would actually literally be just one person.”

“It&#8217;s been nearly two years since the board vigorously debated and ultimately opted into SB 1045,” Mandelman said. “I said at that time that even if SB 1045 only helped one person, I believed it was worth doing. And I still believe that, but I didn&#8217;t think it would actually literally be just one person.”

For Mandelman, the issue of conservatorship is not only a policy issue or a trendy pop culture topic but a matter close to his heart. His mother battled mental illness and homelessness throughout her life, and eventually, Mandelman had to conserve her. He remembers vividly the moment when he realized that he would have to play a significant role in overseeing her affairs.

For Mandelman, the issue of conservatorship is not only a policy issue or a trendy pop culture topic but a matter close to his heart. His mother battled mental illness and homelessness throughout her life, and eventually, Mandelman had to conserve her. He remembers vividly the moment when he realized that he would have to play a significant role in overseeing her affairs.

“I&#8217;m a freshman at Yale, and I&#8217;m on a payphone in the library talking to her in a homeless shelter, which was this sort of crazy dichotomy,” he told Here/Say.

“I'm a freshman at Yale, and I'm on a payphone in the library talking to her in a homeless shelter, which was this sort of crazy dichotomy,” he told Here/Say.

“I&#8217;m a freshman at Yale, and I&#8217;m on a payphone in the library talking to her in a homeless shelter, which was this sort of crazy dichotomy,” he told Here/Say.

Ahead of the March 11 hearing, we Zoomed with the Supervisor to discuss his take on San Francisco’s progress on conserving people, conservatorship’s reawakening in the public eye and what the county needs to do to move forward.

Ahead of the March 11 hearing, we Zoomed with the Supervisor to discuss his take on San Francisco’s progress on conserving people, conservatorship’s reawakening in the public eye and what the county needs to do to move forward.

Here/Say: Why is supporting conservatorship programs important to you?&nbsp;

Here/Say: Why is supporting conservatorship programs important to you?&nbsp;

Rafael Mandelman: It&#8217;s personal for me. My mother suffered from mental illness for most of her adult life&#8230; [and] was homeless for a period of time. She was in a shelter in Southern California.&nbsp;

Rafael Mandelman: It's personal for me. My mother suffered from mental illness for most of her adult life... [and] was homeless for a period of time. She was in a shelter in Southern California.&nbsp;

Rafael Mandelman: It&#8217;s personal for me. My mother suffered from mental illness for most of her adult life&#8230; [and] was homeless for a period of time. She was in a shelter in Southern California.&nbsp;

There was a period where I had a kind of conservatorship over her to help manage her affairs and get her into a better place.&nbsp;

There was a period where I had a kind of conservatorship over her to help manage her affairs and get her into a better place.&nbsp;

The awareness that I&#8217;ve had from seeing my mother and having to try to help is that there are people who just can&#8217;t run various aspects of their own lives, whether it is their finances or their medical decisions or their housing decisions. And we need to have mechanisms for family members or for the counties to step in and help those people.

The awareness that I've had from seeing my mother and having to try to help is that there are people who just can't run various aspects of their own lives, whether it is their finances or their medical decisions or their housing decisions. And we need to have mechanisms for family members or for the counties to step in and help those people.

The awareness that I&#8217;ve had from seeing my mother and having to try to help is that there are people who just can&#8217;t run various aspects of their own lives, whether it is their finances or their medical decisions or their housing decisions. And we need to have mechanisms for family members or for the counties to step in and help those people.

So it&#8217;s a personal matter, but it&#8217;s also a policy matter.&nbsp;

So it's a personal matter, but it's also a policy matter.&nbsp;

So it&#8217;s a personal matter, but it&#8217;s also a policy matter.&nbsp;

Here/Say: Why is conservatorship needed in San Francisco?

Here/Say: Why is conservatorship needed in San Francisco?

Mandelman: As an elected official in San Francisco in 2021, when I walk out my door, and I see&#8230; people who clearly can&#8217;t take care of themselves being left to make decisions about whether they will or not be housed&#8230; whether or not they will take medication, whether or not they will use extremely serious, mind-altering drugs&#8230; Those folks need more support and help than they&#8217;re getting.

Mandelman: As an elected official in San Francisco in 2021, when I walk out my door, and I see... people who clearly can't take care of themselves being left to make decisions about whether they will or not be housed... whether or not they will take medication, whether or not they will use extremely serious, mind-altering drugs... Those folks need more support and help than they're getting.

Mandelman: As an elected official in San Francisco in 2021, when I walk out my door, and I see&#8230; people who clearly can&#8217;t take care of themselves being left to make decisions about whether they will or not be housed&#8230; whether or not they will take medication, whether or not they will use extremely serious, mind-altering drugs&#8230; Those folks need more support and help than they&#8217;re getting.

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There are so many people who are out on the streets who are just too much for their families to handle, who have needs that are so acute. And, paradoxically, when you&#8217;re too much for your family to handle the support that we have for you and your family, it&#8217;s not there. That safety net is not there. I don&#8217;t know if that&#8217;s a paradox or just a tragedy.

There are so many people who are out on the streets who are just too much for their families to handle, who have needs that are so acute. And, paradoxically, when you're too much for your family to handle the support that we have for you and your family, it's not there. That safety net is not there. I don't know if that's a paradox or just a tragedy.

There are so many people who are out on the streets who are just too much for their families to handle, who have needs that are so acute. And, paradoxically, when you&#8217;re too much for your family to handle the support that we have for you and your family, it&#8217;s not there. That safety net is not there. I don&#8217;t know if that&#8217;s a paradox or just a tragedy.

Here/Say: To date, the county has conserved a single individual under SB 1045. Is that enough?

Here/Say: To date, the county has conserved a single individual under SB 1045. Is that enough?

Mandelman: As we were trying to pass the local SB 1045 legislation, [I said] that if we only conserved one person, we should move forward with it. Now, that line is being put to the test. I do think it is a hard law to implement.

Mandelman: As we were trying to pass the local SB 1045 legislation, [I said] that if we only conserved one person, we should move forward with it. Now, that line is being put to the test. I do think it is a hard law to implement.

Here/Say: Why is conservatorship particularly hard to implement in San Francisco?

Here/Say: Why is conservatorship particularly hard to implement in San Francisco?

Mandelman: I do think eight 5150s is too much.&nbsp;

Mandelman: I do think eight 5150s is too much.&nbsp;

There are the legal barriers, but there&#8217;s also a practical barrier of just not having enough placements.&nbsp;

There are the legal barriers, but there's also a practical barrier of just not having enough placements.&nbsp;

There are the legal barriers, but there&#8217;s also a practical barrier of just not having enough placements.&nbsp;

We have a real shortage of beds in facilities that are locked. That is often going to be the first step for someone who you&#8217;re trying to keep out of the hospital, and you&#8217;re trying to keep out of jail, but [they] still can&#8217;t be allowed to go out on their own without some supervision. You need those facilities that have a lock on the door, and we just don&#8217;t have nearly enough.

We have a real shortage of beds in facilities that are locked. That is often going to be the first step for someone who you're trying to keep out of the hospital, and you're trying to keep out of jail, but [they] still can't be allowed to go out on their own without some supervision. You need those facilities that have a lock on the door, and we just don't have nearly enough.

We have a real shortage of beds in facilities that are locked. That is often going to be the first step for someone who you&#8217;re trying to keep out of the hospital, and you&#8217;re trying to keep out of jail, but [they] still can&#8217;t be allowed to go out on their own without some supervision. You need those facilities that have a lock on the door, and we just don&#8217;t have nearly enough.

Here/Say: What does San Francisco need to do to scale its level of conservatorship?&nbsp;

Here/Say: What does San Francisco need to do to scale its level of conservatorship?&nbsp;

Mandelman: At the county level, we need to do a better job of creating more placement options, either in San Francisco or in the Bay Area, and working in collaboration with other county governments to have appropriate facilities, placements and <a href="https://www.calregistry.com/residential-care-homes-for-seniors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">board and cares</a> for folks who need something more than just a home. Because there are unhoused people who simply need a home, and then there are people who really need more than that. We need to do a better job as a county of trying to make all of those levels of care available. But we also need to be pushing on the state to help fund that.

Mandelman: At the county level, we need to do a better job of creating more placement options, either in San Francisco or in the Bay Area, and working in collaboration with other county governments to have appropriate facilities, placements and <a href="https://www.calregistry.com/residential-care-homes-for-seniors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">board and cares</a> for folks who need something more than just a home. Because there are unhoused people who simply need a home, and then there are people who really need more than that. We need to do a better job as a county of trying to make all of those levels of care available. But we also need to be pushing on the state to help fund that.

Here/Say: What do you think of <a href="https://www.vox.com/culture/22280627/britney-spears-conservatorship-free-britney-explained-framing-britney-spears" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Britney Spears’ conservatorship</a> case and the <a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9445049/free-britney-spears-movement-started/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">#FreeBritney movement</a>?&nbsp;

Here/Say: What do you think of <a href="https://www.vox.com/culture/22280627/britney-spears-conservatorship-free-britney-explained-framing-britney-spears" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Britney Spears’ conservatorship</a> case and the <a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9445049/free-britney-spears-movement-started/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">#FreeBritney movement</a>?&nbsp;

Mandelman: I&#8217;m not going to weigh in on Britney. I will say that Britney is not under a &nbsp;<a href="https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/publications/understanding-the-lanterman-petris-short-lps-act" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lanterman–Petris–Short</a> conservatorship. She&#8217;s under a probate conservatorship, I believe. It underscores the need to be attentive to the potential for abuse when you are depriving people of their liberty.&nbsp;

Mandelman: I'm not going to weigh in on Britney. I will say that Britney is not under a &nbsp;<a href="https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/publications/understanding-the-lanterman-petris-short-lps-act" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lanterman–Petris–Short</a> conservatorship. She's under a probate conservatorship, I believe. It underscores the need to be attentive to the potential for abuse when you are depriving people of their liberty.&nbsp;

Mandelman: I&#8217;m not going to weigh in on Britney. I will say that Britney is not under a &nbsp;<a href="https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/publications/understanding-the-lanterman-petris-short-lps-act" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lanterman–Petris–Short</a> conservatorship. She&#8217;s under a probate conservatorship, I believe. It underscores the need to be attentive to the potential for abuse when you are depriving people of their liberty.&nbsp;

There is potential for abuse in any system caring for vulnerable people, whether it&#8217;s the foster care system [or a] conservatorship system. But the answer to the potential for abuse in the foster care system has never been to do away with foster care. It is to reform these systems, put in safeguards, have oversight, root out the problems. But you don&#8217;t give up. You don&#8217;t simply say, ‘We&#8217;ve done a bad job of taking care of vulnerable people. The solution is not to take care of vulnerable people.’

There is potential for abuse in any system caring for vulnerable people, whether it's the foster care system [or a] conservatorship system. But the answer to the potential for abuse in the foster care system has never been to do away with foster care. It is to reform these systems, put in safeguards, have oversight, root out the problems. But you don't give up. You don't simply say, ‘We've done a bad job of taking care of vulnerable people. The solution is not to take care of vulnerable people.’

There is potential for abuse in any system caring for vulnerable people, whether it&#8217;s the foster care system [or a] conservatorship system. But the answer to the potential for abuse in the foster care system has never been to do away with foster care. It is to reform these systems, put in safeguards, have oversight, root out the problems. But you don&#8217;t give up. You don&#8217;t simply say, ‘We&#8217;ve done a bad job of taking care of vulnerable people. The solution is not to take care of vulnerable people.’

And yet, in the conservatorship context, people sometimes make that argument. It boggles my mind. It is frustrating. I think it&#8217;s wrong, but it&#8217;s a fight we have to fight.

And yet, in the conservatorship context, people sometimes make that argument. It boggles my mind. It is frustrating. I think it's wrong, but it's a fight we have to fight.

And yet, in the conservatorship context, people sometimes make that argument. It boggles my mind. It is frustrating. I think it&#8217;s wrong, but it&#8217;s a fight we have to fight.

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Here/Say: Conservatorship is a controversial subject. What do you think needs to change about the conversation around conservatorship?&nbsp;

Here/Say: Conservatorship is a controversial subject. What do you think needs to change about the conversation around conservatorship?&nbsp;

Mandelman: I think people understand that it is wrong that we don&#8217;t take care of these seriously sick people around us. I think people need to channel that feeling of frustration and sadness and anger into a demand that local government and state government do better.&nbsp;

Mandelman: I think people understand that it is wrong that we don't take care of these seriously sick people around us. I think people need to channel that feeling of frustration and sadness and anger into a demand that local government and state government do better.&nbsp;

Mandelman: I think people understand that it is wrong that we don&#8217;t take care of these seriously sick people around us. I think people need to channel that feeling of frustration and sadness and anger into a demand that local government and state government do better.&nbsp;

And that doesn&#8217;t mean going back to mass institutionalization. It definitely doesn&#8217;t mean throwing all the people who you see on the street who are really sick in jail. [The solution] should be to get people the care that they need even when they don&#8217;t know they need care.&nbsp;

And that doesn't mean going back to mass institutionalization. It definitely doesn't mean throwing all the people who you see on the street who are really sick in jail. [The solution] should be to get people the care that they need even when they don't know they need care.&nbsp;

And that doesn&#8217;t mean going back to mass institutionalization. It definitely doesn&#8217;t mean throwing all the people who you see on the street who are really sick in jail. [The solution] should be to get people the care that they need even when they don&#8217;t know they need care.&nbsp;

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. The views expressed in this Q&amp;A are the interviewee’s own and do not represent an editorial position by Here/Say Media. We’ll be exploring opposing viewpoints in future coverage.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. The views expressed in this Q&amp;A are the interviewee’s own and do not represent an editorial position by Here/Say Media. We’ll be exploring opposing viewpoints in future coverage.

Video by <a href="https://sfstandard.com/author/sophie-bearman/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sophie Bearman</a>.

Sophie Bearman

Video by <a href="https://sfstandard.com/author/sophie-bearman/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sophie Bearman</a>.

For Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, conservatorship is personal

Annie Gaus

Enrollment in San Francisco public schools hit the skids this year, raising concerns that the district&#8217;s funding will shrink as pandemic-related federal and state funding dries up. 

Enrollment in San Francisco public schools hit the skids this year, raising concerns that the district's funding will shrink as pandemic-related federal and state funding dries up.

Enrollment in San Francisco public schools hit the skids this year, raising concerns that the district&#8217;s funding will shrink as pandemic-related federal and state funding dries up.

At a budget meeting on Tuesday, district officials said that San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) lost 700 students during this school year, in addition to a decline of 1,000 recorded at the beginning of the year. Those students represent a drop of 3.2 percent year-over-year, and a notably larger reduction compared to prior years. By comparison, enrollment was roughly flat between 2018 and 2020, according to district data.&nbsp;

At a budget meeting on Tuesday, district officials said that San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) lost 700 students during this school year, in addition to a decline of 1,000 recorded at the beginning of the year. Those students represent a drop of 3.2 percent year-over-year, and a notably larger reduction compared to prior years. By comparison, enrollment was roughly flat between 2018 and 2020, according to district data.&nbsp;

Perhaps more striking was a nearly 10 percent drop in kindergarten enrollment, a change that “will carry over into future years,” said Lauren Koehler, a placement director at SFUSD.&nbsp;

Perhaps more striking was a nearly 10 percent drop in kindergarten enrollment, a change that “will carry over into future years,” said Lauren Koehler, a placement director at SFUSD.&nbsp;

The decline was most pronounced among white students, said Koehler, with a 55 percent <a href="https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/sfusd/Board.nsf/files/C3L3HT06FFC9/$file/21%20-%2006.02%20BBS%20Committee_Item%202%20Student%20Enrollment%20Trends_final.pdf">drop in enrollment</a> in that cohort. The zip codes with the largest declines in applications were the Excelsior, the Sunset, Twin Peaks and Glen Park. For kindergarten, those zip codes were in the Mission and Inner Richmond.

The decline was most pronounced among white students, said Koehler, with a 55 percent <a href="https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/sfusd/Board.nsf/files/C3L3HT06FFC9/$file/21%20-%2006.02%20BBS%20Committee_Item%202%20Student%20Enrollment%20Trends_final.pdf">drop in enrollment</a> in that cohort. The zip codes with the largest declines in applications were the Excelsior, the Sunset, Twin Peaks and Glen Park. For kindergarten, those zip codes were in the Mission and Inner Richmond.

“If we don’t bring our kids back and reach those original levels of enrollment, we do run the risk of seeing declining revenue for the 2022 and 2023 budgets,” said Meghan Wallace, chief financial officer at SFUSD. “We need to make sure we’re bringing students back, and monitoring enrollment trends.”&nbsp;

“If we don’t bring our kids back and reach those original levels of enrollment, we do run the risk of seeing declining revenue for the 2022 and 2023 budgets,” said Meghan Wallace, chief financial officer at SFUSD. “We need to make sure we’re bringing students back, and monitoring enrollment trends.”&nbsp;

Prior to the pandemic, SFUSD had forecast growth in enrollment <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GVnFHp3wJKv8gx74u6BydA3OiG0JKTb5/view">over the next decade</a>, with analysts projecting 5,000 additional students by 2030.&nbsp;

Prior to the pandemic, SFUSD had forecast growth in enrollment <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GVnFHp3wJKv8gx74u6BydA3OiG0JKTb5/view">over the next decade</a>, with analysts projecting 5,000 additional students by 2030.&nbsp;

However, a combination of general pandemic-related upheaval and deep frustration with SFUSD’s <a href="https://sfstandard.com/san-francisco-school-reopening-plan-unions-stalled-vaccine/">slow reopening</a> appears to have driven a significant number of families out of the district, and perhaps in some cases out of San Francisco entirely. District officials said they hope to gather more data on housing, birth trends and private school enrollment to assess the likelihood of an enrollment recovery.&nbsp;

However, a combination of general pandemic-related upheaval and deep frustration with SFUSD’s <a href="https://sfstandard.com/san-francisco-school-reopening-plan-unions-stalled-vaccine/">slow reopening</a> appears to have driven a significant number of families out of the district, and perhaps in some cases out of San Francisco entirely. District officials said they hope to gather more data on housing, birth trends and private school enrollment to assess the likelihood of an enrollment recovery.&nbsp;

One parent, who left the district in March, <a href="https://twitter.com/JenniferSey/status/1397612121152704515">wrote on Twitter</a> that she moved her family 1,000 miles away to Denver so that her kindergartener could “access school, make friends &amp; enjoy learning.”&nbsp;

One parent, who left the district in March, <a href="https://twitter.com/JenniferSey/status/1397612121152704515">wrote on Twitter</a> that she moved her family 1,000 miles away to Denver so that her kindergartener could “access school, make friends &amp; enjoy learning.”&nbsp;

Enrollment in SFUSD carries high stakes as the district stares down a budget deficit that is expected to widen in coming years.&nbsp;

Enrollment in SFUSD carries high stakes as the district stares down a budget deficit that is expected to widen in coming years.&nbsp;

For fiscal 2022, which ends in June of next year, the district expects a deficit of $100 million, which it described as “moderate.” That immediate deficit will likely be wiped out by one-time federal stimulus funds approved during the pandemic, but in subsequent years, the deficit will balloon to $122 million by 2024. The budget estimates do not account for any drop in enrollment.&nbsp;

For fiscal 2022, which ends in June of next year, the district expects a deficit of $100 million, which it described as “moderate.” That immediate deficit will likely be wiped out by one-time federal stimulus funds approved during the pandemic, but in subsequent years, the deficit will balloon to $122 million by 2024. The budget estimates do not account for any drop in enrollment.&nbsp;

“The moderate deficit is not moderate, that’s 10 percent of your budget,” said Elizabeth Kelly, a SFUSD parent who called into the meeting. “That’s pretty grim.”&nbsp;

“The moderate deficit is not moderate, that’s 10 percent of your budget,” said Elizabeth Kelly, a SFUSD parent who called into the meeting. “That’s pretty grim.”&nbsp;

Through a state system called the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), school district funding is determined by average daily attendance. The state opted to hold districts temporarily harmless for pandemic-related drops in enrollment, but will begin taking daily attendance into account in funding calculations in 2022.&nbsp;

Through a state system called the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), school district funding is determined by average daily attendance. The state opted to hold districts temporarily harmless for pandemic-related drops in enrollment, but will begin taking daily attendance into account in funding calculations in 2022.&nbsp;

For now, the district aims to boost enrollment by “rebuilding trust” in the system, according to Orla O’Keefe, head of policy and operations at SFUSD.&nbsp;The district plans to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/san-francisco-schools-full-return-fall-plan-new-start-times/">fully reopen schools </a>in the fall, albeit with new start times and a possible continuation of mask requirements.

For now, the district aims to boost enrollment by “rebuilding trust” in the system, according to Orla O’Keefe, head of policy and operations at SFUSD.&nbsp;The district plans to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/san-francisco-schools-full-return-fall-plan-new-start-times/">fully reopen schools </a>in the fall, albeit with new start times and a possible continuation of mask requirements.

On June 8, the district will present its budget proposal and Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), or a documentation of spending plans required by the state, to the <a href="https://www.sfusd.edu/about-sfusd/board-education/board-education-meetings">Board of Education</a>. The Board of Education will review the budget on June 22, and the plan must then be submitted to the California Board of Education by July 1.

On June 8, the district will present its budget proposal and Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), or a documentation of spending plans required by the state, to the <a href="https://www.sfusd.edu/about-sfusd/board-education/board-education-meetings">Board of Education</a>. The Board of Education will review the budget on June 22, and the plan must then be submitted to the California Board of Education by July 1.

SFUSD enrollment drops, exacerbating budget woes

Ask the average person to name quintessential San Franciscan things off the top of their head and the list might look something like this—the Golden Gate bridge, ever-present fog, top-tier sourdough bread and that row of houses from the Full House intro.

Ask the average person to name quintessential San Franciscan things off the top of their head and the list might look something like this—the Golden Gate bridge, ever-present fog, top-tier sourdough bread and that row of houses from the Full House intro.

Ask a local, however, and the list might look a little different—heated arguments over the best burrito spot, Dolores Park on a sunny day, a fondly remembered game at Candlestick&#8230;and a man named David Miles Jr.

Ask a local, however, and the list might look a little different—heated arguments over the best burrito spot, Dolores Park on a sunny day, a fondly remembered game at Candlestick...and a man named David Miles Jr.

Ask a local, however, and the list might look a little different—heated arguments over the best burrito spot, Dolores Park on a sunny day, a fondly remembered game at Candlestick&#8230;and a man named David Miles Jr.

Admittedly, most might not know Miles by name, but San Francisco’s “Godfather of Skate” has been a beloved fixture of the city and the wider Bay Area for over 40 years. His deep-seated love for roller skating has seen him sweep down the steps inside City Hall, skate from San Francisco to Los Angeles more than 15 times for charity and create safe spaces for communal skating all over the city.&nbsp;

Admittedly, most might not know Miles by name, but San Francisco’s “Godfather of Skate” has been a beloved fixture of the city and the wider Bay Area for over 40 years. His deep-seated love for roller skating has seen him sweep down the steps inside City Hall, skate from San Francisco to Los Angeles more than 15 times for charity and create safe spaces for communal skating all over the city.&nbsp;

“Every time something’s going on with skating, I’m doing it,” Miles told Hear/Say. And the Godfather moniker? “I think it had to do with James Brown—people thought that I was the hardest-working man in roller skating and so they started calling me ‘The Godfather.’”

“Every time something’s going on with skating, I’m doing it,” Miles told Hear/Say. And the Godfather moniker? “I think it had to do with James Brown—people thought that I was the hardest-working man in roller skating and so they started calling me ‘The Godfather.’”

Miles’ hard work normalizing roller skating in San Francisco is on display every Friday night and Sunday afternoon when crowds converge at Skatin’ Place, an unassuming asphalt lot nestled between JFK Drive and Fulton St., opposite the Music Concourse. Roller skaters of all ages, backgrounds and abilities gather to glide in infinite counter-clockwise circles or attempt choreographed dances to music pumping from the P.A. system Miles provides. Other visitors to Skatin’ Place line the grassy slopes around the lot, watching the colorful show and sharing snacks and drinks.

Miles’ hard work normalizing roller skating in San Francisco is on display every Friday night and Sunday afternoon when crowds converge at Skatin’ Place, an unassuming asphalt lot nestled between JFK Drive and Fulton St., opposite the Music Concourse. Roller skaters of all ages, backgrounds and abilities gather to glide in infinite counter-clockwise circles or attempt choreographed dances to music pumping from the P.A. system Miles provides. Other visitors to Skatin’ Place line the grassy slopes around the lot, watching the colorful show and sharing snacks and drinks.

It has the easy feeling of a birthday party that happens to occur every weekend, or perhaps a family reunion that everyone is invited to—but Miles says it wasn’t always this way.

It has the easy feeling of a birthday party that happens to occur every weekend, or perhaps a family reunion that everyone is invited to—but Miles says it wasn’t always this way.

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