No Talent Left Behind
Our district is drifting. I have a plan to get us back on track.
Why have standards fallen?
The answer lies in how the School Board sets goals for the district. Their "Operational Expectations" mean the Superintendent receives a good rating simply for operating the district in a certain way—actual outcomes are optional. Staff only need to prove an activity was performed, even if it fails to help students.
I want to replace this failed system with "Outcome Expectations" and incorporate measurable quarterly improvements in safety, academics, career pathways, mental health, and physical fitness into an outcome-based budgeting process. Let us ensure that taxpayer funds are allocated to productive activities and make sure you know where your money is spent.
MEET CHINMAY NAGARKAR
I'm a husband, dad, Stanford-trained engineer and technologist, writer, artist, and Newcastle resident since 2013. With a daughter who graduated from Liberty High two years ago and a 13-year-old son, I've noticed a decline in standards. I know the problems, and I have the solutions.
As a father of two children with a seven-year age gap — one with special needs and another with a gift in math — I've seen firsthand how every child learns differently and how standards have dropped in our schools. 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.
In 2013, we moved to the Issaquah School District because of the quality of the education. My daughter went to Newcastle Elementary, Maywood, and LHS. When she graduated with a scholarship from Seattle U, I gave her teachers much credit. However, around the same time, my son started middle school (CMMS), and I began to notice that his school (and, as I later discovered, other schools in the district) had reduced focus on student creativity, academics, mental health, and physical fitness. This eventually led me to run for the school board.
Arya, The Eidetic
Arhant The Wise
Arya, The Eidetic
Renton, Newcastle, Sammamish, Issaquah, and Bellevue
I've spoken with more than two thousand parents, grandparents, and young people who deeply value education. My policy positions are the direct result of my interactions with people like you.
Issues
I want transparency. The public must be able to see what's going on and hold leadership accountable. I apply that principle to myself, which is why I've stated my positions below in detail. I'm not part of the consensus that rubberstamps failing policies.
We need a change, a new voice, a fresh perspective. We cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different results. We need to listen to students, parents, and teachers. Over the past five months, I've knocked on nearly 5,000 doors and spoken with more than 2,000 residents face-to-face. Every few days, I get emails and calls from parents — some worried, some frustrated, many simply asking for help or offering a hand.
I will be your shield, and I will be your voice. Not the voice of special interests. Not the voice of complacency, and not the voice of going along to get along with what has been failing.
Top Priorities for Goal Setting
What is the choice in this election?
My opponent has stated that she is in favor of the status quo, a clear contrast with my positions. Some in the community are concerned about her personality and how the campaign has become nasty over time (more here). We don't need that right now.
If elected, I will advocate for outcome-based budgeting, which means setting clear expectations for the superintendent and the district to achieve results, rather than just performing activities. If something doesn't help meet an agreed-upon expectation, it should not be funded. We need to set expectations for all outcomes - to restore pre-COVID (or better) standards in safety, academics, equal opportunity to learn your preferred trade, mental health, and physical fitness. We also need outcome expectations for teachers - professional development, safety, and respect in the classroom.
You have the power this year to trigger a course correction. Every child deserves a safe and effective neighborhood school. Ballots will be mailed on October 17th. Don't forget to turn in your ballot by November 4th! Make sure your neighbors vote. We have a clear choice - the status quo, or a push for excellence.
Video Gallery
Did you know?
Student outcomes continue to fall, even as spending and property taxes have doubled
_edited_edited_jp.jpg)
According to district budget data, spending per student per year is now hovering at ~$20,000 (more than the University of WA in-state tuition)
AI is taking desk jobs, but we spend five times more on Admin ($50m) than we do on AI-proof career pathways /CTE ($10m)
.png)
* CTE helps prepare students who want to work in the trades rather than go to College
Students feel silenced, smartphone based cyberbulling up 10x in one year, overall up 5x
Dropping enrollment puts us at risk of financial collapse
BLOG POSTS
My 4-Step Problem-Solving Approach
Let us see how we can apply this to raising academic standards
Expert Led Goals
For e.g.: Increase the 10th-graders at grade-level standards to 80% by 2027.
1
Transparency
For e.g.: Results for each school published regularly (e.g. monthly)
2
3
Blameless Accountability
Ask questions; ensure that gaps between promises & results are explained
4
Support Innovation
Unblock teachers, reward staff who take the initiative towards creative solutions
More Ideas to explore: Let's give kids from every background a level playing field and include parents in the conversation.
➢ Increase the achievement of the lowest 20% of the student population by 20% every year
➢ Reduce disparity in suspensions of special-needs students by 50%
➢ 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.
Join Our Email List
We will only share important news and information.
CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
