Governing Board Selects Dr. Jason E. Glass as Next Superintendent
Governing Board Selects Dr. Jason E. Glass as Next Superintendent
The Governing Board of the Palo Alto Unified School District is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Jason E. Glass as Superintendent of Schools, effective July 1, 2026, pending approval of his contract by the Board at the June 16, 2026 regular board meeting.
Dr. Glass has led at nearly every level of public education, ranging from early childhood through higher education — as superintendent, as a state education chief, and as a university administrator. His career has centered on a question this community knows well: how schools sustain exceptional learning while taking the experiences and wellbeing of their students just as seriously. The board selected him because Palo Alto needs a leader who understands both.
The appointment follows a national search informed by 1,434 community members who described what they need from their schools and their next superintendent. Their priorities were consistent: a leader who listens, who rebuilds trust, and who comes to invest in this community. Dr. Glass will begin not with an agenda but with a listening process, working alongside the board, staff, families, and students.
"This community was clear about what it needs, and Dr. Glass is the right person to help us meet this moment," said Board President Shounak Dharap. "He brings deep experience, sound judgment, and the steadiness this district was looking for."
"I am grateful for the opportunity and ready to do the work to earn the trust of this community," said Dr. Glass. "Palo Alto has built something genuinely rare, and it is also a community that has been through a great deal. I intend to listen carefully, be present in the schools, and build connections as my first priority."
Dr. Glass's wife Sarah is also an educator. He and his family are moving to Palo Alto, and their two children will attend PAUSD schools.
Supporting Documents
Media Contact:
Lynette White, Public Information Officer
