Jason Dotson

Jason Dotson

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Jason Dotson was a candidate for at-large representative on the Newark Public Schools Board of Education in New Jersey. The general election was held on April 19, 2016. Dotson was defeated in the general election with Leah Owens, Tave Padilla, and Deborah Kim Thompson-Gaddy winning the available seats.

Biography

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Dotson received a bachelor's degree in communication from William Paterson University. He went on to earn a master's degree in human service, with an emphasis on counseling, from Lincoln University. He is the program co-director at the Hispanic Multi-Purpose Youth Center where he works with sexual minority youth. Previously he served as a state-wide youth crisis specialist. Dotson has also acted as keynote speaker for Planned Parenthood and the Boys and Girls Club in New Jersey and Washington D.C.

Elections

2016

See also: Newark Public Schools elections (2016)

Three of the nine seats on the Newark Public Schools Board of Education were up for at-large general election on April 19, 2016. No incumbents filed in the race. Newcomers Jason Dotson, Thomas Ellis, Carole Graves, Tamara Moore, Leah Owens, Tave Padilla, Jody Pittman, Juan Silva, George Tillman, Deborah Kim Thompson-Gaddy, Jimmie White, and former candidate Sheila Montague faced each other for the three seats. Owens, Padilla, and Thompson-Gaddy defeated the remaining candidates and won seats on the Newark board. All three of these candidates were members of the Newark Unity slate endorsed by Mayor Ras J. Baraka. There was no primary.

Newark Public Schools, At-Large General Election, 3-year terms, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Deborah Kim Thompson-Gaddy	21.92%	5,909
Tave Padilla	21.86%	5,892
Leah Owens	18.62%	5,018
Sheila Montague	9.56%	2,576
Carole Graves	8.09%	2,180
Tamara Moore	6.59%	1,775
Thomas Ellis	3.32%	896
Jody Pittman	2.95%	794
Juan Silva	2.29%	618
George Tillman	1.87%	505
Jimmie White	1.68%	452
Jason Dotson	1.25%	338
Total Votes		26,953
Source: Essex County Clerk, "2016 School Board Election," accessed May 10, 2016

Funding

Dotson did not report any funding in the election.

Endorsements

Dotson was endorsed in the race by Transparency Matters.

Campaign themes

2016

The following survey was included in a candidate profile written on Ellis by the Newark Trust for Education.

“	Based on your qualifications and experience, what makes you a suitable candidate to serve on the Newark Public Schools Advisory Board ? Like many parents, I want to ensure that my children are receiving a quality education in a safe learning environment. I have earned many college degrees, I have over 10 years of experience working with youth and young adults in community based organizations, and I have years of experience mobilizing communities as a shop steward for Local CWA 1037. In my professional positions I have managed large budgets, sat on state-wide community meetings and creating policy and procedures for community based organizations and I believe that the voters want a candidate who is experienced and willing to get their hands dirty on their behalf. What are your reasons for running? My reasons for running is because there is no transparency. The parents deserve to be informed with decision being made regarding their child(ren). As a parent, I know the struggles of the One Newark Plan and how it worked against parents and students. I want to bring information back to the parent and keep them informed. I am running to be the public servant for my community. I want parents to have transparency. Are you running with an organizational slate? If so, please provide information about your platform. I am running with the Transparency Matters Team and we believe that there should be transparency so parents can make informed decisions. The Transparency Matters team believes: Newark Public Schools should be thriving and prioritizing safety and a friendly Learning Environment for our children. Demanding Arts & Recreation for our students by adding the letter “A” in STEM to create STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math). Advocating that Black History & Hispanic History is being taught in every classroom via Amistad Act (August 27, 2002). Holding the administration accountable by gaining local control Transparency! Parents and Students have the RIGHT to KNOW! What are your priorities for the district in the coming year? My priorities will include keeping parents informed and encouraging parents to have their child(ren) tested for lead poisoning considering 30 NPS have been reported having lead in their water. I strongly believe parents should be informed about their rights about PARCC standardized testing, bringing Transparency to the community. What attributes and qualifications do you consider essential for effective school board members? An effective school board member plays an important watchdog role in keeping our public schools on track, and setting policies that affect our children, our schools, and community. School board members set the vision and goals for the school district, and they are not afraid to hold the Superintendent accountable for his or her results. One school board member cannot do the job alone. Effective school board members contribute their unique talents while collaborating and working as a team with other board members.	”
—Jason Dotson

Recent news

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Jason Dotson - Google News

See also

• Newark Public Schools, New Jersey
• Newark Public Schools elections (2016)

External links

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• Newark Public Schools