Chris Funk
Mission-driven Executive experienced in developing partnerships that enhance educational opportunities and advance equity. Achieved over $745 million in public investment through innovative collaborations across K–12 education, higher education, nonprofits, local government, and business. Focused on creating sustainable initiatives that benefit tens of thousands of students in Santa Clara County.
Work History
Superintedent
4 Years 11 MonthsProvided executive leadership for one of California's highest-performing school districts.
Selected Accomplishments
- Analyzed educational needs and developed initiatives to improve student outcomes and increase participation.
- Facilitated collaboration with district leaders to ensure curriculum alignment with state educational standards.
- Analyzed performance metrics and implemented data-driven processes to optimize educational effectiveness across various schools.
- Implemented and managed professional development workshops for faculty, cultivating an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
Superintedent
8 Years 11 MonthsLed one of California's largest and most diverse urban high school districts while advancing a vision centered on educational equity, innovation, and regional collaboration.
Selected Accomplishments
- Co-founded the East Side Alliance.
- Co-founded the Spartan East Side Promise.
- Created the Access East Side Community Wireless initiative.
- Developed the district Strategic Plan and Graduate Profile.
- Increased graduation rates, A–G completion, and Advanced Placement participation.
- Expanded districtwide one-to-one technology access.
- Secured more than $745 million in voter-approved capital investments.
- Built enduring partnerships with Silicon Valley Education Foundation, San José State University, Evergreen Valley College, the City of San José, business leaders, philanthropic organizations, and community nonprofits.
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
3 Years 11 Months- Engaged with school administrators to develop and execute policies aimed at cultivating a positive learning culture.
- Implemented training sessions and mentorship opportunities to foster professional development and ensure compliance with educational standards.
- Interpreted data trends to guide strategic decisions and elevate student performance standards.
- Supervised the creation of educational programs, ensuring compliance with district goals and adherence to state standards for optimal student outcomes.
Education
Master of Arts - Urban High School Leadership
Master of Arts - Political Science, Minor in Hisotry
Master of Science
Skills
Accomplishments
Co-Founder – East Side Alliance Co-Founder – Spartan East Side Promise Founder – Access East Side: Community Wireless
Co-founded the East Side Alliance with John Porter Sr., Superintendent of the Franklin-McKinley School District, creating a regional collective-impact partnership among eight school districts, Silicon Valley Education Foundation, San José State University, Evergreen Valley College, and community organizations.
Today, the Alliance serves nearly 60,000 students through a seamless K–16 pathway focused on educational excellence, STEM readiness, college access, and workforce preparation. The Alliance has received statewide recognition for collaborative leadership and student achievement. The East Side Alliance remains one of SVEF's flagship collaborative initiatives supporting college readiness, shared instructional practices, and regional student success.
Partnered with Manny Barbara of Silicon Valley Education Foundation and San José State University to create the Spartan East Side Promise, a transformational college access initiative that provides a guaranteed pathway to higher education for qualified East Side graduates.
The partnership aligns K–12 schools, higher education, and nonprofit organizations around academic preparation, financial support, and student success, and continues to serve as a signature regional model for increasing college enrollment and completion.
Conceived and led one of the nation's first school district-funded municipal broadband initiatives in partnership with the City of San José, expanding free wireless internet access to students, families, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Developed a scalable public-sector model that leveraged education technology bond funding and municipal infrastructure to address the digital divide while supporting equitable access to learning.
Project outcomes included:
- More than 5 TB of monthly public internet usage
- More than 1.5 TB of monthly student and teacher usage
- 99.4% wireless network reliability
- Regional expansion through the East Side Alliance partnership model.
Affiliations
- Board Member, Educare California at Silicon Valley
- Board Member, Genesys Works
- Board Member, Breakthrough Silicon Valley
- Board Member, East Side Education Foundation
- American Leadership Forum Fellow
- San José Downtown Rotary
- Long-standing collaboration with Silicon Valley Education Foundation on regional STEM, college readiness, and educational equity initiatives.