Students & Teachers First.
Paul Pham is an ESUHSD parent, CPA, and community leader running for Trustee Area 1 to bring accountability, transparency, and real opportunity to our schools.
- CPA / public-sector auditor focused on accountability.
- ESUHSD parent and Chair of ESUHSD Citizens Bond Oversight Committee.
- Refugee and foster-care survivor who knows what opportunity means.
Meet Paul
A CPA for Accountability. A Parent for Our Schools.
Paul Pham knows what opportunity means because he had to fight for it. As a child, Paul fled Vietnam alone by boat, survived life in a refugee camp in Indonesia, and entered the foster care system in the United States. He endured hardship without parents by his side, stayed focused, and built a life through education, discipline, and perseverance.
Today, Paul is a Certified Public Accountant, a partner at his audit firm, a small restaurant business owner in San Jose, an ESUHSD parent, and the President of the Story Road Business Association. He is running for school board because students deserve real opportunity, teachers deserve support, and families deserve accountability from district leadership.
About PaulWhy I'm Running
Accountability Before Crisis.
I'm running for ESUHSD Trustee Area 1 because students and teachers should come first.
Too often, families only hear about district problems after the crisis is already here. In January 2026, ESUHSD approved cuts affecting around 45 full-time in-school positions, including counselors, social workers, advisors, and classroom teachers. Later reporting said more than 80 workers received pink slips tied to a projected $30 million deficit and declining enrollment.
As a CPA and auditor, Paul believes better planning, stronger oversight, and honest communication can help the district make smarter decisions earlier — before students and staff pay the price.
"This race is about who will put students and teachers first by planning honestly, acting early, and keeping families informed."
45
Full-time in-school positions cut (counselors, social workers, advisors, teachers)
80+
Workers received pink slips
$30M
Projected district deficit
In January 2026, ESUHSD approved cuts affecting around 45 full-time in-school positions. Later reporting said more than 80 workers received pink slips tied to a projected $30 million deficit and declining enrollment.
My Priorities
Strong Schools. Safe Campuses. Real Opportunity.
Six clear commitments to students, teachers, and families in ESUHSD Trustee Area 1.
Your Voting District
Geographically, Trustee Area 1 is the central-to-east area only wrapped around the Alum Rock Avenue corridor. It is anchored by the Alum Rock / East Foothills residential neighborhoods. The district's main street is the Alum Rock Avenue commercial corridor — lined with family-owned Latino and Vietnamese businesses: restaurants, jewelry stores, markets, and service shops that form the economic backbone of the community.
Trustee Area 1 is home to a vibrant Vietnamese-American community and is adjacent to San Jose's Little Saigon district along Story Road.
Use Your Voice
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The Election is on November 3rd, 2026.
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