John Craig Will Seek Palo Alto School Board Seat
The local candidate aims to address transparency concerns and district spending ahead of the November election.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Administration
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John Craig announced his candidacy for a seat on the Palo Alto Unified School District board ahead of the November 3, 2026, election. He centers his platform on increasing governance oversight and improving the management of district mental health services.
Why it matters
Craig is campaigning on a platform that critiques the current district governance, specifically targeting the handling of sexual harassment complaints. He argues that increased transparency and structural changes to service delivery are necessary to address parental concerns.
The school board election features three open seats in the district. The district currently allocates $24 million annually toward its internal mental health services program.
The players
John Craig
He is a school board candidate and the vice president of communications for the Green PTA who holds a master's degree in engineering.
Rowena Chiu
She is a public figure who has provided an endorsement for John Craig's campaign.
Lydia Kou
She is a local official who is among those endorsing Craig for the school board position.
Doria Summa
She is a supporter and endorser of John Craig in his bid for the Palo Alto school board.
The details
Craig intends to replace the current internal mental health model by outsourcing those services to improve district efficiency. He also advocates for a new laned education approach designed to better support advanced students within the school system.
Timeline
The Palo Alto Unified School District board election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Roadmap
Craig's platform follows the pattern of public scrutiny established by the Palo Alto Unified School District separation agreements with Don Austin and Trent Bahadursingh. His candidacy highlights a growing push for administrative oversight following these high-profile departures.
Residents should track how potential outsourcing of mental health services could impact the accessibility and quality of student support. Parents may also see shifts in how advanced coursework is structured if the proposed laned education approach is adopted.
The takeaway
Craig's campaign emphasizes the intersection of technical management and public policy within the school district. Voters should evaluate how his engineering background compares to the current board's approach to fiscal oversight and service delivery.
Further reading
For more information on the district's governance, visit the Administration section.
Live Poll
Do you believe local school boards should outsource support services to improve district efficiency and costs?
