School Board

The board of trustees of the South San Francisco Unified School District works to: (1) Ensure all students thrive and capitalize on life’s opportunities. (2) Enhance relationships with families, partner agencies, and other constituents for the benefit of all students. (3) Ensure equity throughout the district by:

Raising academic achievement for all students.
Assuring fiscal responsibility and accountability.
Providing the facilities to ensure an environment for successful teaching and learning.

Board President Amanda Anthony	Ms. Anthony won election to the Board in November 2022 and was sworn in on December 15, 2022. As of December 2024, she is serving as Board President, having previously served as Vice President. She previously worked as a performance management consultant for Chicago Public Schools from 2008-2011, analyzing data to improve program effectiveness. She taught English as a second language (ESL) in Poland from 2011-2015 and ran her own business from 2015-2020. She has also worked as a program manager at Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, which helps individuals open small businesses to achieve financial self-sufficiency. Currently, she is serving as the Economic Development Manager for Redwood City. Ms. Anthony holds a Bachelor's of Science in Chemistry and Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science from Purdue University and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Chicago. Ms. Anthony is a graduate of the California School Board Association's Masters in Governance program. Her term expires in 2026. [email protected]
Board Vice President Patricia Murray	Mrs. Murray was elected to the Board in November 2016 and was re-elected in 2024. As of December 2024, she is serving as Board Vice President. In her time on the Board, she has also served as President. Mrs. Murray has served on various SSFUSD committees and was a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) parent volunteer for 20 years. Mrs. Murray joined the Board to help make SSFUSD the best it can be. She is a graduate of the California School Board Association's Masters in Governance program. Her term expires in 2028. [email protected]
Board Clerk Mina Richardson	Mrs. Richardson was elected to the Board in November 2018. In her time on the Board, she has served as Board Vice President and Clerk. Mrs. Richardson has been a resident of South San Francisco for over 40 years and is the mother of three sons who attended SSFUSD schools. Mrs. Richardson majored in Music at Sacramento State University and had a career as an Allied Health imaging professional. She was a member of Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder and has also worked as a fundraiser for the Child Care Center in Westborough Park. She is a bilingual community activist whose goal is to promote SSFUSD's excellent schools and programs to the South San Francisco community. She is a graduate of the California School Board Association's Masters in Governance program. Her term expires in 2026. [email protected]
Board Member Chialin Hsieh	Dr. Hsieh was appointed to the Board on March 25, 2021. On December 14, 2023, she was selected to serve as Board Clerk, having previously served as Board President. She has worked in the field of Education for over 20 years and is currently a Vice President of Instruction at Cañada College. She and her family have lived in South San Francisco for over a decade. Her son attended SSFUSD schools and graduated from El Camino High School (ECHS) in 2020. Dr. Hsieh has been involved in school site councils at both Alta Loma Middle School and ECHS. She wants to use her enthusiasm for education and collaborative spirit to keep SSFUSD moving forward in service of our students. She is a graduate of the California School Board Association's Masters in Governance program. Her term expires in 2026. [email protected]
Board Member Amy Lam	Ms. Lam was elected to the Board in November 2024. Ms. Lam is a graphic designer who has supported the educational missions of museums and non-profits for over two decades. Since 2019, Ms. Lam has been a Senior Graphic Designer at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, supporting its mission to create inquiry-based experiences that transform learning worldwide. She previously worked for the Chinese Historical Society of America and the exhibit design firm Gordon Chun Design. Ms. Lam attended public schools in Dublin, California. She graduated from college in 2001 with a BFA in Graphic Design jointly conferred by the University of San Francisco and California College of the Arts. Ms. Lam and her husband Mark Nagales (South San Francisco Council Member - District 2) have two children who attend SSFUSD public schools. Her term expires in 2028. [email protected]

Governance

Responsibilities

Set direction for the community's schools:

Focus on student learning and assessment needs, using data.
Generate, review, or revise direction-setting documents (e.g., beliefs, vision, priorities, strategic goals, success indicators).
Ensure these documents are the driving force for district efforts.
Ensure use of appropriate, inclusive processes.

Establish effective, efficient structure for the school district:

Employ the superintendent and set policy for hiring of personnel.
Oversee development and adoption of district policies.
Adopt and set a direction for curriculum.
Establish budget priorities, adopt budgets, and oversee facility issues.
Provide direction for and vote to accept collective bargaining agreements.

Demonstrate support through behavior and actions:

Act with professional demeanor that models the district's beliefs and vision.
Make decisions and provide resources that support mutually agreed upon priorities and goals.
Uphold board- approved district policies.
Ensure a positive climate for employees.
Be knowledgeable enough about district efforts to explain them to the public.

Ensuring public accountability:

Evaluate the superintendent.
Monitor, review, and revise policies.
Serve as a judicial and appeals body.
Monitor student achievement and program effectiveness and adjust programs as indicated.
Monitor and adjust district finances.
Monitor the collective bargaining process.

Demonstrate community leadership:

Speak with a common voice about district priorities, goals, and issues.
Engage and involve the community in district and school activities.
Communicate clear information about district policies, programs, and finances.
Educate the community and the public about issues facing the district and public education.
Advocate for children, district programs, and public education to the general public, community leaders, and local, state, and national leaders.