Rob O'Callahan - Candidate for Mercer Island School Board Position 4

I speak with Rob O’Callahan, candidate for Mercer Island School Board (Position 4), about his background in software engineering and AI, his family’s experience at Island Park, and the issues he sees in the district. We discuss his concerns about curriculum rigor (including math and heavy iPad use), student-safety governance following the Twombly case, and financial transparency.Rob outlines why he believes trust needs to be rebuilt—with emphasis on student-facing staffing (nurses, librarians), enrollment recovery, and clearer prioritization of capital projects after the recent bond’s failure. He shares a cautious view of introducing AI tools in earlier grades, and highlights goals around literacy, extended writing, and updating assessment tools. More about his campaign: https://rob4mischools.com/