Jag Lathan (Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools, California, candidate 2026)
Jag Lathan is running for election to the Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools in California. Lathan is on the ballot in the primary on June 2, 2026.[source]
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Biography
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Elections
Nonpartisan primary
Nonpartisan primary election for Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools
Dana Eaton (Nonpartisan) and Jag Lathan (Nonpartisan) are running in the primary for Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools on June 2, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Dana Eaton (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Jag Lathan (Nonpartisan) | ||
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Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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Campaign website
Lathan's campaign website stated the following:
My Priorities
“This is a movement to ensure every student in Contra Costa County has the opportunity to thrive—supported by safe schools, strong educators, and vibrant programs.” - Dr. Jag Lathan
Priority 1: School Safety, Well-being, & Mental Health
If schools don’t keep students safe, supported, and engaged:
- Crime costs go up → more spending on police, courts, and incarceration
- Taxes go up → public dollars shift from prevention to punishment
- Property values suffer → communities with unstable schools are less desirable
- Local services get strained → emergency rooms, jails, and shelters absorb the fallout
- Workforce quality drops → businesses struggle, prices rise, and the local economy weakens
Safe schools cost far less than unsafe neighborhoods.
Student well-being today is shaped by far more than academics alone. Research shows that excessive social media use is linked to increased anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, social isolation, and rising rates of suicidal ideation among youth, particularly adolescents. School safety is not only about physical security—it is about whether schools are welcoming, supportive environments where adults build trust, recognize warning signs, and keep students engaged. It also includes protecting students from exploitation, including human trafficking, which disproportionately impacts youth who are disconnected from school, experiencing mental health challenges, or lacking stable support systems. When schools are not equipped to respond to these realities, students disengage—and the consequences extend beyond the classroom into families, neighborhoods, and the broader community.
Contra Costa County serves students across 19 public school districts, and in nearly one-third of those districts, suspension rates remain at medium to high levels. While suspensions and expulsions have declined overall, removing students from school negatively impacts student well-being, mental health, and long-term outcomes, and contributes to the school-to-prison pipeline. These impacts fall most heavily on Black students, students with disabilities, and students from low-income communities—but rising mental health challenges now affect students across all demographics.
What Dr. Jag Will Do
As Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jag will:
- Support districts in addressing the impacts of social media on youth mental health through education, prevention, and family awareness
- Share effective strategies countywide, so schools are not solving these challenges in isolation
- Promote positive school climates that emphasize belonging, accountability, and student voice by providing training on research-based programs for today’s youth
- Train educators and staff to recognize and respond to warning signs of human trafficking, and to partner with community organizations to protect vulnerable students
- Strengthen access to school-based mental health supports, including coordinated partnerships and services
- Support districts in reducing reliance on suspensions by promoting healing-informed, restorative approaches that keep students engaged in school
Bottom line:
This is not about politics—it’s about public safety, fiscal responsibility, and community stability. When schools get this right, everyone benefits.
Priority 2: Ensure Literacy & Academic Foundations
If students don’t learn to read well early:
- Crime increases → students without strong literacy skills face higher risk of justice system involvement
- Graduation rates drop → more young people leave school without the skills needed to succeed
- Workforce readiness declines → employers struggle to find qualified workers
- Public costs rise → greater spending on remediation, social services, and corrections
- Economic mobility stalls → fewer residents can access stable, well-paying jobs
- Communities weaken → lower earnings, reduced civic participation, and slower economic growth
Strong literacy costs far less than lifelong remediation and incarceration.
Contra Costa County serves students across 19 public school districts, and in nearly half of those districts, a majority of students are not reading or comprehending at grade level. Many of these students are low-income, Black and Latino, students with disabilities, and multilingual learners who have not consistently had access to culturally responsive, evidence-based literacy instruction or the educator training needed to support diverse learners.
When students do not learn to read well by third grade, the impact follows them for life. Struggling readers are more likely to fall behind in every subject, disengage from school, and face limited job opportunities as adults. This affects workforce readiness, economic stability, and community well-being—not just families with children. Literacy is the foundation of a thriving Contra Costa County.
What Dr. Jag Will Do
As Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jag will:
- Provide training to districts on evidence-based literacy instruction grounded in the Science of Reading, including phonics, comprehension, critical thinking, and writing across the curriculum
- Expand high-quality professional learning so educators are equipped to support multilingual, multi-dialectal, and dyslexic learners—including students with language-based learning differences—as well as students with disabilities
- Provide training and supports to districts with professional learning and instructional expertise to ensure literacy instruction is both culturally responsive and grounded in research
- Create a countywide framework for districts to share strategies and solutions, so schools are not solving literacy challenges in isolation
Bottom line:
When students can read, communities are safer, the workforce is stronger, and public costs are lower. Investing in literacy early benefits everyone.
Priority 3: Expand Career Pathways & Drive STEM Innovation
If students fall behind in math, science, and career preparation:
- Job opportunities shrink → students are locked out of high-wage, high-growth careers
- Workforce shortages grow → employers struggle to fill skilled positions
- Economic mobility declines → fewer residents can access stable, well-paying jobs
- Public costs rise → communities spend more on remediation instead of opportunity
- Regional competitiveness weakens → businesses look elsewhere to grow and invest
Strong career pathways cost far less than long-term unemployment and underemployment.
Across Contra Costa County’s 19 public school districts, more than half have a majority of students below grade level in math, and about one-quarter of districts are below grade level in science. These gaps limit students’ access to advanced coursework, career pathways, and the growing number of jobs that require strong skills in science, technology, engineering, and math—especially for students from low-income communities, Black and Latino students, students with disabilities, and multilingual learners.
The future of work is already here. From healthcare and clean energy to engineering, technology, and the skilled trades, STEM literacy is essential for economic mobility and regional competitiveness. Community momentum—such as STEM In-Living Color—demonstrates what’s possible when students see themselves reflected in hands-on, engaging STEM learning. The challenge now is ensuring these opportunities are systematic, equitable, and available in every district, not just a few.
What Dr. Jag Will Do
As Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jag will:
- Provide guidance and technical assistance to districts to strengthen math and science instruction aligned to workforce and postsecondary demands
- Expand and connect career pathways, including STEM, Career Technical Education (CTE), and applied learning, so students can see clear routes from school to careers
- Support early and sustained exposure to STEM by helping districts integrate hands-on, project-based STEM learning and career exploration into the school day from elementary through high school
- Create and strengthen partnerships between districts, higher education, industry, and labor to align learning with real-world opportunities, including apprenticeship and internship programs
- Support early career awareness and exploration, so students understand the range of postsecondary options available to them
Bottom line:
When students are prepared for the future of work, communities are stronger, businesses thrive, and Contra Costa County remains competitive. Investing in career pathways and STEM innovation benefits everyone.
Priority 4: Prioritize Educator Growth & Excellence
If districts cannot recruit, retain, and develop strong educators and specialized staff:
- Student outcomes suffer → learning gaps widen, especially for students with disabilities
- Special education services are disrupted → inconsistent supports undermine student progress
- Costs increase → districts rely on expensive, short-term contractors
- Staff burnout rises → turnover increases and school stability declines
- Families lose trust → frequent staffing changes weaken school–family relationships
Strong educator pipelines cost far less than chronic shortages and instability.
Student outcomes in Contra Costa County are shaped by the skills, preparation, and ongoing development of educators—and strengthened through strong partnerships with families and students. Across the county, districts face persistent shortages of special education teachers, school psychologists, physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), and other specialized service providers, leading many to rely on costly and inconsistent contracted services that disrupt continuity of care for students.
When students struggle academically—especially in reading—it signals the need for deeper training grounded in research-based practices. Educators must be prepared to teach effectively across diverse cultures, languages, abilities, and learning needs, and they need ongoing professional learning to do so well. When educators are well-prepared, supported, and retained, students experience stronger outcomes and schools become more stable.
What Dr. Jag Will Do
As Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jag will:
- Support districts in strengthening recruitment, retention, and development of special education teachers and specialized service providers by creating paid residency programs that build long-term capacity
- Help districts reduce overreliance on contractors by building sustainable, local staffing pipelines
- Create and expand teacher, support staff, and administrator preparation programs through the County Office of Education to grow future educators and leaders
- Create Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway preparation programs for industry professionals who want to teach CTE courses, strengthening career-connected learning across the county
- Expand access to high-quality professional learning focused on evidence-based instructional practices, including literacy and specialized supports
Bottom line:
Strong schools depend on strong educators. Investing in educator growth and excellence leads to better student outcomes, more stable schools, and stronger communities across Contra Costa County.
Priority 5: Lead with Students at the Center of Budgeting
If school budgets are not aligned to student needs:
- Programs are cut → students lose access to academic, mental health, and enrichment supports
- Class sizes grow → teachers have fewer resources to meet student needs
- Gaps widen → students with the greatest needs are hit hardest
- Fiscal crises deepen → short-term fixes create long-term instability
- Communities pay the price → weakened schools reduce workforce readiness and economic stability
Student-centered budgeting costs far less than repeated fiscal emergencies.
Districts across Contra Costa County are facing significant fiscal challenges following the end of one-time COVID funding. Even community-funded districts—where local property tax revenue exceeds the state’s guaranteed minimum under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF)—are experiencing budget pressure due to rising costs, staffing shortages, and increasing student needs. Without careful planning and support, districts are forced into reactive decisions that can undermine student learning and long-term stability.
Student-centered budgeting means aligning limited resources with what matters most—student learning, safety, and well-being. California has historically invested less per student than many higher-performing states, and the consequences show up in classrooms and communities alike. Budget decisions made today shape educational opportunity, workforce readiness, and community stability for years to come, affecting every resident—not just families with school-aged children.
What Dr. Jag Will Do
As Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jag will:
- Advocate at the state and federal level for updates to the current funding model—moving from Average Daily Attendance (ADA) to enrollment-based funding—and for increased funding that reflects California’s high cost of living
- Provide technical assistance and fiscal guidance to districts during post-COVID funding transitions
- Promote transparency and responsible fiscal planning by leading workshops that support districts in making student-centered budgeting decisions that prioritize learning, safety, and well-being
- Help districts align spending to student outcomes and long-term sustainability, rather than short-term fixes
Bottom line:
When districts budget with students at the center, schools are more stable, public dollars are used more effectively, and communities are stronger. Student-centered budgeting is both fiscally responsible and essential to Contra Costa County’s future.
Why These Priorities Matter—Supporting Justice-Involved Youth to Learn, Heal, and Thrive
There are young people in Contra Costa County who became justice involved after a decision made at a moment of instability, lack of support, or unmet need. When that moment is met with exclusion instead of education, the consequences don’t stop with the student. Pushing young people out of school, denying them mental health support, and leaving literacy and skill gaps unaddressed increases the likelihood of repeat involvement with the justice system—at a significant cost to public safety, taxpayers, and community well-being.
Ignoring justice-involved youth does not make communities safer. It makes the problem more expensive, more entrenched, and harder to correct.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Justice-involved youth are not a threat to society—they are young people who need structure, skills, accountability, and opportunity. Like all students, they want to feel safe, to learn, and to believe they have a future worth protecting. Schools that prioritize safety and mental health, ensure strong literacy foundations, expand career pathways and STEM opportunities, invest in high-quality educators, and lead with student-centered budgeting reduce recidivism and strengthen communities. These priorities help young people make healthier choices, build pride in themselves, and develop the skills needed to contribute positively to society—so they are not defined by a single mistake, but equipped to move forward responsibly.
Getting this right is not optional. It is essential to public safety, economic stability, and the future of Contra Costa County.
As County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jag Will—For Justice-Involved Youth:
- Support programs that help youth develop decision-making skills, build self-awareness, and make healthier choices for their futures
- Expand academic and literacy supports so students can re-engage in learning with confidence
- Partner with skilled trades and workforce organizations to provide hands-on training, apprenticeships, and clear pathways to well-paying careers
- Expand access to college programs that allow students to earn college credits and degrees while enrolled in county and district programs
- Strengthen mental health and counseling supports that help students build resilience and coping skills
- Promote healing-informed learning environments that emphasize accountability, growth, restoration, and belonging—rather than punishment
- Promote learning environments that help students develop pride in themselves, their growth, and their potential
- Advocate for coordinated systems and student-centered funding that keep youth connected to school and reduce recidivism
- Support educators and school leaders with the training and resources needed to meet the unique needs of justice-involved students
Every student deserves a real pathway forward. Dr. Jag is committed to leading with compassion, accountability, and opportunity—so justice-involved youth in Contra Costa County can learn, heal, and thrive.
— Jag Lathan's campaign website (April 3, 2026)
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
