South San Francisco Unified School District is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees.

[1] The Board is responsible for establishing educational goals and standards, approving curriculum and the school district budget, and appoints a superintendent to manage day-to-day administration.

A significant portion of the main building was demolished in 1959 with the remaining structure modernized in 1958 and 1966 to house Spruce Elementary School.

Major housing construction in South San Francisco following World War II created a shortage of schools for the post-war baby boom.

The 22-acre Serra Vista site with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay and peninsula sat vacant for 15 years before being leased to the NCP College of Nursing.

Hillside Elementary was closed in 2005 on the Superintendent's recommendation and after heated deliberation because of a deteriorating fiscal situation, shifting demographics, and lower enrollment projections.