I'm David Poll, a Los Altos School District parent of three running for the Board of Trustees in 2026. I'm in our schools every week -- and I want a district that listens to parents, teachers, staff, and neighbors, then uses what actually works to give every child a strong start.
At the League of Women Voters forum on October 13, all four candidates for the Board of Trustees answered the same questions, one minute each: finances, test scores, the 10th school site, moving sixth grade, and how the board listens to teachers and families. Jump straight to David's answers below.
Opening statements
Two minutes each: qualifications, experience, and the strengths each candidate brings to the board.
Question 1 of 10
Name something the district is doing well but could be doing better. What steps would you take to improve it?
Question 2 of 10
What is the current state of LASD finances, and what are your concerns?
Question 3 of 10
What is the greatest challenge facing LASD over the next two years?
Question 4 of 10
Many changes take years to achieve. Talk about one improvement you would introduce that can be started in your first year.
Question 5 of 10
How will you keep in contact and engaged with the constituents in your community, including the roughly 90% of residents who don't have students in the district?
Question 6 of 10
In 2024, voters approved Measure EE, allowing up to $350 million in bonds. About $245 million is earmarked to modernize schools and for the 10th school site. What should be done with the remaining $100 million or so?
Question 7 of 10
Test scores at some schools, such as Santa Rita and Almond, have not been as high as we would like. What can be done to improve test scores at our schools?
Question 8 of 10
With enrollment projected to stay flat, why is the 10th school site being built?
Question 9 of 10
The district has been discussing moving sixth graders to the middle schools. What are your thoughts on that idea?
Question 10 of 10
What district issue have we not discussed that you would like to address?
Closing statements
One minute each, in reverse order of the openings.
Practical, evidence-based, and focused on outcomes for kids and confidence for families.
See the full platform →Give parents, teachers, administration, and the wider community a real seat at the table so the district succeeds for everyone.
Govern with care: come prepared, understand the budget, and explain decisions clearly so families can follow the reasoning.
Science-backed early literacy and math, and a district that plans for AI before it reshapes the classroom.
Make LASD a district families actively choose by making the case for our schools early, when families decide where to start TK and kindergarten.
Make the district work for every family, across neighborhoods, languages, learning needs, and backgrounds.
Archer, 8, is in 3rd grade at Oak; Delilah, 5, just started kindergarten; and Zachary, 1, will be eligible for LASD's TK program in fall 2029. I'm not running on slogans. I'm running because the decisions this board makes land directly on my own family's dinner table, and on yours.
I want a district that earns families' trust by listening first, grounding decisions in evidence, and being honest about trade-offs.
"Public schools give our children a great education, but they also weave a neighborhood into a community."
When a board seat opened earlier this year, David interviewed for it in front of the trustees. A candid, unscripted Q&A on curriculum, community, and how he makes decisions. No script, no soundbites: just how he thinks.
One short note now and then: events near you, where the campaign stands, and how to help. No spam, ever.
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