1. Please state your name: Sherman D'silva
2. Please check which district you are running for: District 1
3. In your opinion, what is the role of affordable, quality child care in the effort to make San
Francisco a better city? Please refer to personal and/or professional experiences if
applicable.
I believe that affordable, quality child care is as critical. It is necessary for both the children as
well as parents. Without child care - parents can not move ahead with education or career. It
should be treated just as we treat k-12 education.
4. What are some policy actions you would take as Supervisor to stem "family flight" from
San Francisco? Secondly, how would you attract families to the city?
I do not believe it is possible stem all family flight. For those families that cannot afford a home
in the city they will leave. What we can do is improve the quality of life for those living in San
Francisco. These include safe streets, clean streets, clean and safe parks and a well-managed and
financially responsible administration. Efficiently run schools with high standards would also
attract and retain families. However, the current structure of the school district allows for almost
no intervention by the Board of Supervisors in these matters.
5. Child care is sometimes not recognized as an issue that has a deeper impact on quality of
life and a healthy economy. From a policy stand point, what would you do to support child
care centers and family providers as crucial small businesses in SF?
Although childcare is an important issue I cannot offer any specific policy. I would consider all
proposals and evaluate each independently and objectively.
6. What are the top issues facing families in your district? Please elaborate.
Affordable housing- San Franciscans want to look to the future of someday owning their own home
Good Schools - Families want to be able to send their children to safe and high quality schools
Safe streets - clean streets free of debris and graffiti
- safe streets with traffic lights at intersections
7. Do you think quality child care plays a role in improving the K-12 system? How so?
Parents working or going to school cannot spend as much time with children. Child care gives
children interaction with other children and allows some free time for parents. The interaction
with others prepares children for interacting with other children. It allows them to develop skills
that may not be readily available in a household due to limited time constraints or a different
language spoken.
8. What would you do to ensure that families, youth and children are represented in the city
budget process?
I believe that all parties in San Francisco deserve an equal access to its representatives. Following
this philosophy I will ensure that everyone has the ability to have its views heard and considered.