Gizelle Stokes

Gizelle Stokes

Education

High school

Bennett High School

Bachelor's

Syracuse University

Graduate

Syracuse University

Personal

Profession

Social worker

Contact

Personal website

Gizelle Stokes was a candidate for an at-large seat on the Buffalo school board in New York. She lost the general election on May 6, 2014 to incumbent Barbara Seals Nevergold and challengers Larry Quinn and Patricia B. Pierce.

Biography

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Gizelle Stokes is a resident of Buffalo, New York. Stokes graduated from Bennett High School in the Buffalo school system before earning her B.A. and M.S.W. degrees from Syracuse University. She has worked as a recruiter for the University at Buffalo and as a domestic violence prevention and crisis management worker for the Vera House. Stokes is employed as a social worker and school counselor for the King Center Charter School and as an assistant professor of sociology at Erie Community College.

On March 11, 2014, Stokes was arrested and charged with running a stop sign while driving, obstruction of justice and marijuana possession. According to a report by The Buffalo News, the arresting officer also discovered an outstanding bench warrant issued in 2010 for Stokes regarding a "minor harassment violation." She was released without bail. Stokes denied both the marijuana possession and the obstruction of justice charges. Her attorney, Frank Housh, stated that Stokes was unaware of the bench warrant until the arresting officer informed her of it. Housh unsuccessfully motioned for the judge to dismiss all charges against Stokes on April 29, 2014. On May 2, 2014, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office agreed to dismiss the charges against Stokes.

Elections

2014

See also: Buffalo Public Schools elections (2014)

Gizelle Stokes lost to incumbent Barbara Seals Nevergold and newcomers Larry Quinn and Patricia B. Pierce for the three at-large seats in the general election on May 6, 2014. Candidates Bryon J. McIntyre and Daniel Rockwitz Reynolds were removed from the ballot after they did not meet the petition signature requirements.

Results

Buffalo Public Schools, At-Large General Election, 5-year term, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Nonpartisan	Larry Quinn	16.1%	8,806
	Nonpartisan	Patricia B. Pierce	14.7%	8,061
	Nonpartisan	Barbara Seals Nevergold Incumbent	13.6%	7,449
	Nonpartisan	Bernie Tolbert	11.5%	6,298
	Nonpartisan	John Licata Incumbent	9%	4,930
	Nonpartisan	Samuel P. Davis	7.9%	4,334
	Nonpartisan	Sergio Rodriguez	6.3%	3,447
	Nonpartisan	Gizelle Stokes	5.6%	3,059
	Nonpartisan	Ralph R. Hernandez	5%	2,733
	Nonpartisan	Wendy Mistretta	4.4%	2,414
	Nonpartisan	Stephon Wright	2.3%	1,242
	Nonpartisan	Adrian Harris	1.9%	1,066
	Nonpartisan	Stephen Buccilli	1.7%	936
Total Votes				54,775
Source: Erie County, NY - Board of Elections, "Election Results Archive," accessed June 11, 2014

Funding

Stokes reported no contributions or expenditures to the Erie County Board of Elections. School board candidates in New York are not required to report their campaign contributions or expenditures if they do not exceed $500.00.

Endorsements

Stokes received an endorsement from Grassroots.

Campaign themes

2014

In response to a survey published by The Buffalo News, Stokes answered several questions outlining her campaign themes, preferred education reforms and priorities.

“	Cite an example of a school program (here or elsewhere) that you think should be replicated in Buffalo: I think we need to replicate models that deal with children as individuals and allow for more hands on experiences. Allowing children the opportunity to be themselves and think critically. We need to implement models that allow for an all hands on deck approach to school/district administration so that all have a stake and are held accountable. Describe two or three specific actions the district should take to help close the projected $50 million deficit for 2014-15: The district should be collaborating more with community stakeholders in a systematic way. There are 11 colleges and universities in our region that could be providing supportive service enhancements across the district if strategically tapped into and monitored properly. These collaborations should also include agencies to greater meet the needs of students and families across the district. List the three most important things you want to accomplish if you are elected: Improving student achievement, including improving graduation rates and establishing authentic student assessments. We need to make sure that student assessments reflect student growth and not just deficits. Creating and maintaining a balanced budget that supports students and teachers. Teachers and parents should be included in the decision when deciding the resources used for their classrooms and their children. Implementing positive behavioral and social emotional interventions that address discipline concerns. I plan to use best practices for improving attendance and parent engagement. Evaluate Pamela Brown's performance as superintendent: There have been glimmers of hope and promise with Dr. Pamela Brown's performance with the percentage points increase in graduation rates in June coupled by the rise in college attendance as reported by our local community colleges in enrollment. There has also been slight mobility with school attendance rates this year compared to years prior. I do however still believe that there is a need for grater accountability across the district and would like to work toward that end.	”
—The Buffalo News survey (2014)

Stokes published a list of her priorities on her campaign website:

“	- Improving student achievement, including improving graduation rates and establishing authentic student assessments. - Creating and maintaining a balanced budget that supports students and teachers; including hiring caring and talented teachers, aides and building personnel, - Implementing positive behavioral and social emotional interventions that address discipline concerns, - Using best practices for improving attendance and parent engagement, - Building and sustaining systematic partnerships with community stakeholders in the district to support the student and their family.	”
—Gizelle Stokes' campaign website (2014)

Recent news

This section links to a Google news search for the term "Gizelle + Stokes + Buffalo + Public + Schools"

Gizelle Stokes News Feed

See also

• Buffalo Public Schools, New York
• Buffalo Public Schools elections (2014)

External links

Suggest a link

• Buffalo Public Schools
• Campaign website
• Facebook page

Additional reading

• The Buffalo News, "Stokes would bring social work background to Buffalo School Board," April 27, 2014