Spending ↑ x2 since 2019

Math/Science/English Scores are down 10–18 %

In spite of $80 million in spending each year, special needs students are suspended and sent home from school at 2x the average

We spend 5x more on Admin compared to CTE/ vocational training programs

The Issaquah School District has a ~$400 million budget and ~20,000 students. That's $20,000 per student per year, which is more than the average private school and UW in-state tuition. Where are the results, and can we do better?

MEET CHINMAY NAGARKAR

Husband, dad, tech leader, Newcastle resident since 2013

The Board has one essential job - to hire the Superintendent, set goals, and hold the Superintendent accountable. When COVID hit, the board revised the process and formulated goals in vague language, reflecting the uncertain times the world was experiencing. When COVID passed, the board should have corrected course, but did not. Today, if you scan through the objectives set for the Superintendent, you won't find a single specific, measurable target. There are no goals to be found for improving Math and English proficiency in middle school. There is no plan to make sure every high schooler has equal access to vocational training programs. There is no accountability for the rising incidents of bullying, which doubled in the past year. No mention is made about reducing the student dissatisfaction rate (currently at 40%). Even when it comes to the board's favorite topic - DEI - there are no goals to fix the 'unfair punishment' problem (see FAQ) for Black and special needs students. Instead of measurable goals, the Superintendent needs to only present evidence of “activity” as evidence of success in the yearly performance review. Student outcomes are optional.

As I knock on doors and share these facts with voters, one thing is clear - they are no longer ready to accept this irresponsible deployment of their tax dollars and a lack of accountability.

Voters rejected two bond measures. If elected, I will speak in favor of a) setting clear and measurable goals to evaluate the performance of the district; b) monitoring progress regularly with an itemized "promised-vs-delivered" dashboard accessible to the public. This will be a significant step in regaining voter trust.

And let us prioritize the basics.

Safety is first - without safety, there is no peace of mind, and no learning is possible.
Core academics (literacy, numeracy, science) and career readiness are next. We need to expand CTE and dual-credit pathways so college-bound and trade-bound students have options.
Provide safe, focused, future-ready classrooms where innovative teachers are celebrated and red tape is trimmed.
Freeze the central-office headcount until academic goals are met.

Every child deserves a neighborhood school that helps them grow into wonderful adults. Let's make this happen together. Ballots will be in the mail on October 17th. Don't forget to turn in your ballot by November 4th!

See FAQ For A Quick Pulse Check

As a father of two—one with special needs and another with a gift in math—I’ve seen firsthand how every child learns differently. My years as a TEALS computer science teacher at Bellevue High School, a STEM tutor and mentor, and a youth soccer coach have deepened my understanding of diverse learning needs.

I’m a Stanford graduate and a seasoned tech leader still in my prime. I spent the last year researching why the school system was unable to support my son's gift in Math, whom I now homeschool. When I found significant gaps in spending vs outcomes, I was left with no choice but to run for School Board and help correct the ship. Since then, while knocking on doors in Sammamish, Issaquah, Renton, and Newcastle, I’ve spoken with hundreds of families who deeply value education.

We have a $400 million budget, $20,000 per student/yr, more than UW in-state tuition.
Sliding achievement: Scores have dropped as much as 18 points since 2019
Families leaving: One in three children now attends private school or homeschool, and district officials project enrollment falling by 300 + students each year
Broken Trust: Two bond measures have failed. 7 in 10 voters I meet when knocking on doors fear more taxes for no results
Money is mis-aimed: Less than 4 % of the general fund reaches Career & Technical Education or Gifted programs, while 10+ % goes to central administration, and an additional $300 million is earmarked for a controversial high-school construction project

I have come to admire and respect Chinmay not only for his thoughtful leadership but also for his unwavering commitment to strengthening the foundation of our public education system. His strong focus on core academics—math, science, reading, and writing—is exactly what our students need...

Sam Sim, CEO, Apptronic

My Priorities

Lets give kids from all backgrounds a level playing field:

➢ Increase the achievement of the lowest 20% of the student population by 20% every year

➢ Reduce disparity in suspensions of minority students by 50% each year

➢ Reduce the High School 'discomfort' rate below 10% from 40%

➢ Equal opportunities to access CTE programs across schools

➢ Hire the best teachers to support our diverse student population

➢ Two students are on the school board (non-voting). Why leave parents behind? Add parent representation.

Visit Frequently Asked Questions

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