In the upcoming local elections this November, Jingyuan Huang, who goes by Jing, is running for a seat on the Saratoga Union School District (SUSD) board in the affluent city of Saratoga, California. In a recent interview, Huang expressed his commitment, stating, “I believe that if more parents like me are willing to dedicate a bit of their time, we can work together to build a stronger community.”
Huang boasts an impressive academic background, having graduated from the University of Waterloo—often dubbed the “MIT of Canada”—with a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering and a Master’s degree in Mathematics (Computer Science). After moving to the U.S. for work, he took on roles at Nvidia and Qualcomm. In addition, he pursued a part-time law degree from UC San Diego, ultimately becoming a patent attorney. In 2018, he relocated with his family to Saratoga, where his two children are currently enrolled at Argonaut Elementary School, in fifth and third grades.
While juggling his professional responsibilities and parenting, Huang has volunteered extensively at local schools and served on the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee from 2021 to 2023. This academic year, he is also on the board of the Argonaut Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the Saratoga Education Foundation (SEF).
Through these experiences, Huang has gained valuable insights into the school district and believes there is always room for improved collaboration and resource utilization, despite the district’s overall sound financial status. He envisions enhancing long-term extracurricular offerings in various areas, including sports, arts, and crafts for students.
Recognizing SUSD’s strong academic reputation, Huang aims to broaden the focus on children’s holistic development and mental health. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration among parents, the district, and teachers to achieve these goals.
With his legal background, Huang feels well-prepared to navigate district policies and interpret state education laws, ensuring transparency and sustainability in their implementation.
As the number of Chinese students in the Saratoga school district continues to grow, Huang is motivating more Chinese parents to get involved in community activities. He reiterated, “I believe that if more parents like me are willing to dedicate a bit of their time, we can work together to build a stronger community.”
His campaign is gaining traction, supported by a network of current and former Chinese American school board members, including Katherine Tseng, Cynthia Chang, and Phyllis Tung.
