Meet Jillian

"I am a lifelong believer that public education is the foundation of strong American communities. I'm an EUSD parent, a problem solver, and a policy wonk, and I believe my expertise will be a great support to the school board and our greater community.

While parenting and working full-time, I am honored to oversee our taxpayers' recent investment in EUSD by serving on the Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee for Bond Measure Z. I am an active member of the Special Education Parent Council where I am a parent representative for the district’s local planning area.

I was a public school student in Saint Paul, Missouri before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Bradley University. My career took me to Washington, D.C., London & Brussels before arriving in here in North County. I live with my daughter and my partner who has been a homeowner in Village Park for over a decade."

Jillian Cocayne - 2026 Candidate for the Encintas School Board.

Jillian's vision and Priorities for our schools:

Encinitas Union School District has a track record of excellence, demonstrated by strong student test scores and high staff retention rates. I plan to work collaboratively with parents, teachers, the existing board and administration to build on the strong foundation already in place while facing challenges head on. My diverse experiences, including navigating foreign education systems, have deeply informed my understanding of the challenges faced by families in the district. I am committed to ensuring that all students receive the support they need to succeed.

COMMUNITY
LEADERSHIP

Parents today want to understand changes in elementary schools, such as technology in classrooms or new grading practices. Meanwhile, teachers and staff need support juggling even larger workloads in the face of budget cuts. I will be a bridge to promote understanding and help develop solutions.

TAXPAYER ACCOUNTABILITY

Well-run schools benefit our whole community. They attract and retain families into our area and support property values. Good stewardship is critically important with $158m Bond Measure Z currently being used to make major infrastructure improvements.

POLICY
EXPERTISE

I know how to read regulatory codes and interpret their impact, which will make me highly effective. My experience working with government officials will enable the school board to be more effective advocating at the local, State and Federal levels.