Editorial: Baker, Flores, Nasrah for South City school board

The district has had a challenging time with its last bond measure, but appears to be turning a corner with Superintendent Shawnterra Moore, who came into the leadership role after much of the trouble manifested. Under her leadership, and a more active presence by the current board and community leaders, the district is able to establish some true successes — most notably the ribbon-cutting of a revamped Buri Buri Elementary School.

The bond measure’s cost overruns and subsequent financial trouble led to mistrust in the community but the district’s leadership was able to learn from it and build on those lessons.

Notably, it is Baker himself who said ambitious plans must be scaled back and more of a focus should be placed on one or two projects at a time. Though he has just under three years on the board, Baker has proven to be thoughtful, accessible, creative and smart and will easily work into the role of experienced vet.

Flores too has a good handle on the nuances of the board and his mantras of “giving back” and “being a role model” will go far with the district’s students. Though his ideas are rough sketches, we can imagine them filled out with hard work and dedication. His ideas of pointing people toward current resources and establishing mentorship opportunities are solid.

Nasrah has the requisite experience for a board member. She knows the district, its finances and its successes and shortfalls — yet brings a knowing and thoughtful energy to the conversation rather than a jaundiced eye. It is her patient and thoughtful energy that will serve the board well and the district, its administrators, its teachers and, most importantly, its students will be better for it. Simple ideas such as having high school students learn leadership through tutoring elementary students can go far in burnishing the community spirit for which South San Francisco is known. Nasrah will hit the ground running.

With three available seats, South San Francisco voters will be best served with Baker, Flores and Nasrah leading its school board.