Chinmay Nagarkar (Issaquah School District school board District 2, Washington, candidate 2025)

Chinmay Nagarkar

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Issaquah School District school board District 2

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 5, 2025

Education

Graduate

Stanford University, 2001

Personal

Religion

Spiritual

Profession

Software engineer

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

Chinmay Nagarkar is running for election to the Issaquah School District school board to represent District 2 in Washington. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source] He was on the ballot in the primary on August 5, 2025.^[source]

Nagarkar completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Chinmay Nagarkar provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on June 17, 2025:

• High school: IHS
• Graduate: Stanford University, 2001
• Gender: Male
• Religion: Spiritual
• Profession: Software Engineer
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: No Talent Left Behind
• Campaign website
• Campaign endorsements
• Campaign Facebook
• Campaign YouTube
• Campaign YouTube video

Elections

General election

General election for Issaquah School District school board District 2

Natalie Anderson and Chinmay Nagarkar are running in the general election for Issaquah School District school board District 2 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Natalie Anderson (Nonpartisan)
		Chinmay Nagarkar (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Issaquah School District school board District 2

Natalie Anderson, Darren Cheung, Lovenia Hardin, Jarrod Huffaker, and Chinmay Nagarkar ran in the primary for Issaquah School District school board District 2 on August 5, 2025.

		Candidate
		Natalie Anderson (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Darren Cheung (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Lovenia Hardin (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Jarrod Huffaker (Nonpartisan)
		Chinmay Nagarkar (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

To view Nagarkar's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us an endorsement, click here.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Chinmay Nagarkar completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Nagarkar's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Chinmay Nagarkar—an immigrant, parent, and technologist with 25 years of experience at Amazon and Google, and a Stanford graduate in engineering. I’ve taught computer science at Bellevue High School (TEALS) and mentored STEM students across the Eastside. I’m running for Issaquah School Board because I believe in public education—but I also believe it must change.

The Issaquah School District has admitted enrollment is dropping by 350 students per year. One in three children are now homeschooled or in private school. Meanwhile, two recent bond measures failed—because trust has disappeared. Seven in ten voters no longer have kids in school but pay ever-rising taxes. Voters support schools, but they won’t fund a system they feel no longer serves the community.

I’ve seen both the good and the broken sides of the system: my daughter thrived in special education; my son was homeschooled after the district failed to nurture his math talent—he later ranked in the top 15 nationally in a global math competition.

We are at a turning point. If we want to preserve public education, we must restore trust, stop wasting tax dollars, and focus on getting kids ready for the real world - be it through Math, Science, and Language arts, or via Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. I bring a track record of unblocking creativity and solving tough problems. I will work to ensure every child’s potential is honored and every taxpayer's dollar is respected.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Restore Academic Excellence Too many students are falling behind or leaving the system. One in three are now in private school or homeschool. I will focus our district on rigorous academics—math, science, English, and career pathways—to ensure all children graduate ready for life.
• Fiscal Responsibility, Not Empty Promises While bonds have failed to pass muster, and enrollment is set to continue dropping by 350 students a year according to the district's most recent projections in June 2025, the district keeps proposing expensive new projects and wants to keep spending more on projects that have failed to yield results. I’ll fight waste, reprioritize classroom funding, and demand transparency so that every tax dollar helps students—not the bureaucracy.
• Parents and Taxpayers Must Be Heard 70% of voters don’t have kids in the schools, yet they pay most of the taxes. There are parents who feel strongly in favor of change and have ideas, such as I do. However, I've experienced firsthand how the board has ignored us, sometimes gently or sometimes with prejudice. I’ll push to add non-voting parent seats to the board from underrepresented groups (e.g., parents who are not part of the PTA or district committees), just like student reps, and rebuild trust by ensuring open dialogue, fair representation, and public accountability.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about education policy grounded in reality—not divisive controversies. When making choices, I try to be aligned with Natural Law, keeping with the example set by the United States Constitution. With enrollment shrinking and bonds failing, we must earn back voters' trust and return to basics: academic rigor, strong CTE programs, support for both gifted and struggling students, and budget decisions that reflect community trust. I believe public education can thrive again—if we listen to families, respect taxpayer investment, and focus on real outcomes. My goal is to make schools work for every child and every household, whether they plan for college or a trade.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to George Washington—not because he was the most eloquent, but because he was the most disciplined. He knew when to lead and when to let go. He set a precedent for restraint in power, duty in service, and quiet moral force.
Washington understood that a republic is not maintained through charisma, but through character. That’s the model I try to emulate.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

"Democracy in America" by Tocqueville speaks to the strength of local governance. The "Bhagavad Gita," which shaped my civic and moral compass, teaches action without ego. Both reflect my belief in thoughtful service, measured action, and the refusal to shy away from duty.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Humility, clarity of purpose, and fidelity to the public trust. As an immigrant and parent who turned to homeschooling after the public system failed my son, I bring a perspective shaped by both gratitude and grit. I believe elected officials must be stewards, not rulers. Listening is the foundation. Our role is not to impose ideology but to serve families and taxpayers with integrity, transparency, and courage.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Like the Founders, I believe in the power of principle over popularity.

I share Jefferson’s curiosity—I ask hard questions and enjoy seeking uncomfortable truths.

I share Adams’ love of civic learning—I believe good government starts with informed citizens.

And like Madison, I value structure and limits on power—because all human systems must be kept in check.

I’m not here to impress. I’m here to serve with clarity, humility, and moral steadiness.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Our duty is not to micromanage but to set a vision, uphold accountability, and rebuild public trust. With the district expecting 350 fewer students each year and two failed bond measures, we must align our decisions with reality. As a technologist and educator, I approach decisions with both data and compassion—insisting that every dollar spent helps children thrive.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I’d like to be remembered as someone who helped restore trust in local education by putting children, families, and truth ahead of systems and slogans.
If, years from now, a student chooses to stay in the district because they felt seen and challenged—or a parent says, “We were finally heard”—that would be enough.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Hindus of Kashmir were evicted from their homes in 1990. I was about 12 years old at the time.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was as a software developer intern. I had it for three months.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Carl Jung’s Modern Man in Search of a Soul.

Jung captures something I believe deeply—that we cannot fix external systems until we understand the interior struggles of individuals.

His work reminds me that education is not just about grades or workforce prep—it’s about coherence, meaning, and the development of full human beings.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

If I had to pick a fictionalized version, I’d be Benjamin Franklin with a twist.

He believed in reason, duty, and divine order—not in control.

He balanced science with soul, service with wit. And he never stopped improving—not even himself.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

A meditative song called the "Buddha's dance"

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Balancing high expectations with patience. I tend to see potential everywhere—in people, in systems, in ideas—and I sometimes forget that not everyone moves at the same pace. Learning to meet people where they are, without letting go of the vision—that's been my work, and my growth.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

To advocate for children and protect the public trust. That means raising the academic bar, investing wisely, and respecting every family's values and voice. As a parent of two children—one who thrived in special education and one who was underserved and is now thriving—I’ve lived both sides of the system, and my family has come out stronger. I'm running because many families don't have an option to homeschool or attend private school, and many students are suffering silently in our public schools.

Who are your constituents?

Students, parents, taxpayers, teachers, and our future workforce. One in three families now opt out of the public system. That tells us something. We serve not just those currently enrolled—but all who fund, rely on, or are shaped by public education.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

By rejecting one-size-fits-all approaches. Diversity of need demands flexibility. My platform prioritizes gifted and CTE tracks, gifted programs, special education, and mental health, alongside cultural inclusion. Everyone—from the struggling reader to the advanced math student—should feel seen and supported.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

I will continue my door-to-door visits (300 homes so far) and engage PTAs, trade unions, Indian American networks, and small businesses. As an immigrant who found community through civic engagement and STEM mentorship, I know the importance of face-to-face trust-building.

What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?

Good teaching is measurable by engagement, progress, and feedback. I support professional development in project-based learning, dual enrollment, and digital tools—with clear evaluation methods tied to outcomes.

In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?

Career and Technical Education (CTE), gifted programs, dual-credit opportunities, and real-world civics. I want every child to graduate with options—not debt and regret.

What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?

Rebuild voter trust first. Tie capital plans to enrollment realities. Cut waste and prioritize the classroom. Show taxpayers how each dollar delivers value. Only then can we expect their support.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

No child can learn if they don’t feel safe. I support consistent discipline, clear protocols, and a return to parental partnership. Skyline High should not be known as “The Pharmacy.” Our schools must uphold both compassion and consequences.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

Normalize mental health care. Consider parents as executive partners, not enemies. Embed services in schools. Train staff to recognize distress. My own son struggled before we pulled him out of the system—we should never let children fall through the cracks.

Tell us your favorite joke.

As a former teacher, I once gave a passionate lecture about logic to a room full of 12-year-olds.

One kid raised his hand and said,
"Sir, if you're so logical, why did you choose to become a teacher?"

…I still don’t have an answer.

What existing district policies would you like to change, or what new policies would you like to implement?

Change:

- Revise the curriculum review to reflect parental input.
- Align facilities planning with projected enrollment drops.

Implement:
- Public-facing metrics dashboard
- Non-voting parent seat on the board

- Budget allocation reforms to prioritize student needs over admin overhead and fancy construction projects

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Wendy Ghiora, former Principal and candidate for School Board

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

Safe. Challenging. Supportive. Whether a student is college-bound or trade-focused, we must offer an education rooted in fundamentals and practical skills. My son found joy again in learning when freed from rote expectations. He found his voice again when his curiosity was unleashed. We must give back the joy and the voice to every student.

How do you feel like your school district handled the coronavirus pandemic? What, if anything, would you do differently in the future?

We lacked transparency, humility, and planning. I would prioritize clarity, family choice, and hybrid continuity strategies—as well as a review of what worked and what didn’t.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

I will push to hold open forums, publish newsletters, and advocate for curriculum transparency. Where the board is reluctant, I will meet with parents 1:1. I want parents to feel they have a seat at the table so I’ll push to add a non-voting parent rep to the board, mirroring the current student seat.

What are your preferred strategies for faculty, staff, and administration recruitment?

Reduce bureaucratic waste to raise or maintain teacher pay. Attract culturally competent and academically rigorous teachers. Prioritize mentorship pipelines and respect teachers’ need for autonomy and clarity. Honor teachers in School Board meetings to raise visibility for their creative and innovative initiatives.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Trust has eroded because accountability has slipped. Seven out of ten voters no longer have kids in school, and they’re voting against bonds because they feel ignored. $140 million was spent on a high school that remains incomplete. In four years, we have doubled spending per student while our test scores have dropped. We spend 3% on CTE (training for the trades), when we know that college leads to student debt without the guarantee of a good job. We must publish clear, comprehensible data, match facilities plans to enrollment projections, and ensure voters know where every dollar goes.

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Other survey responses

Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Nagarkar completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

• King County Republican Party
• VoteWA Profile

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