Marion Bonura
Marion Bonura (Republican Party) was a member of the Jefferson Parish School Board in Louisiana, representing District 8. Bonura assumed office in 2014. Bonura left office on December 31, 2018.
Bonura (independent) ran for election to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to represent District 1. Bonura lost in the primary on October 12, 2019.
Bonura is a former Republican District 8 member of the Jefferson Parish School Board in Louisiana. Bonura was defeated in the primary on November 6, 2018. He first won election to the board by defeating Denise Carpenter (R) and incumbent Mike Delesdernier (R) in the general election on November 4, 2014.
Biography
Bonura has worked as the athletic director of De La Salle High School, in addition to his work as a teacher and coach at Crescent City Baptist High School, Chapelle High School and Grace King High School. He has also worked as a volunteer coach for Lakeshore playground, a playground supervisor for Johnny Bright and zone manager of Jefferson Parish Recreation. He is a parishioner of St. Ann's Church.[1]
Elections
2019
See also: Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education election, 2019
Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education District 1
Incumbent James D. Garvey Jr. won election outright against Marion Bonura and Lee Price-Barrios in the primary for Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education District 1 on October 12, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | James D. Garvey Jr. (R) | 59.9 | 92,677 |
 | Marion Bonura (Independent) | 24.6 | 38,079 | |
 | Lee Price-Barrios (R) | 15.5 | 24,003 | |
| Total votes: 154,759 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2018
Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Jefferson Parish School Board District 8
Chad Nugent won election outright against incumbent Marion Bonura in the primary for Jefferson Parish School Board District 8 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Chad Nugent (R) | 61.6 | 10,457 |
| Marion Bonura (R) | 38.4 | 6,505 | |
| Total votes: 16,962 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2014
Nine seats on the Jefferson Parish School Board were up for election on November 4, 2014. Candidates who were unopposed at the end of the filing period were considered elected as of that date. Two districts advanced to a general election on December 6, 2014.
Eight of the district seats saw contested races. District 2 incumbent Etta Licciardi (R) filed to run in the District 3 contest, but later withdrew. Newcomers Rickeem Jackson (D), Ricky Johnson (D) and April Williams (D) ran to fill the open seat. Jackson and Johnson advanced to the general election. District 3 incumbent Ray St. Pierre (R) faced Raymond "Ray" Griffin Jr. (R) in his re-election bid. Phillip Huskey (D) also filed for the race, but was disqualified. District 4 incumbent Pat Tovrea (R) did not file to run for re-election. Melinda Bourgeois (R) and Glenn Mayeaux (R) vied for the open seat.[2]
Karen M. Barnes (D) and Sharlayne Jackson-Prevost (D) challenged District 5 incumbent Cedric Floyd (D). Meladie Munch (D) ran against District 6 incumbent Larry Dale (R). District 7 incumbent Mark Jacobs (R) faced challengers Melinda Doucet (R) and Jo Ann Scott (L). Deborah Armstrong (D) had filed for the District 7 seat, but later withdrew. Jacobs and Doucet advanced to the general election.[2]
Mike Delesdernier (R), the District 8 incumbent, faced Marion "Coach" Bonura (R). Denise Carpenter (R) also filed for the race, but later withdrew. Eugene "Gene" Katsanis (R) and incumbent Sandy Denapolis-Bosarge (R) faced one another for the second election in a row for the District 9 seat. Connie Montgomery (R) also filed to run in District 9, but later withdrew.[2]
In the only uncontested race, District 1 incumbent Mark Morgan (I) was re-elected without opposition after his opponent, Charles "Ken" Bradley (R), withdrew from the race.[2]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Marion "Coach" Bonura |
55.3% | 7,707 | |
| Republican | Mike Delesdernier Incumbent | 44.7% | 6,231 | |
| Total Votes | 13,938 | |||
| Source: Louisiana Secretary of State, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2014 | ||||
Funding
As of October 29, 2014, Bonura had reported $8,566.74 in receipts and $5,368.06 in disbursements to the Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, which left his campaign with $3,198.68 on hand.[3]
Endorsements
Bonura was endorsed by the Alliance for Good Government and the Jefferson Federation of Teachers.[4][5]
Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Marion Bonura did not complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Marion Bonura completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bonura's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
1. Improve the English Language Learner curriculum. 2. Create more K-8 schools 3. Reinstate Career Tanining Centers
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Educate every child of every culture equally. With an increase in the immigrant population in our Parish we can not make our system better without implementing new programs for these students. The lack of education in the countries they come from put them at a disadvantage in our classrooms.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to my peers because teachers are the backbone of our education system. The are the hardest working people who are responsible for our most important treasure our children. No matter what is asked of them they do it even with a lack of pay. They are the most dedicated and selfish people In the world. Once a teacher always a teacher.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
The poem "The Dash" by Linda Ellis.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Transparency is the most important. People want someone who will keep them informed of the decisions that are important to them. If you are going to represent the people you have to give them the facts.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I have coached and thought for 50 years my experience and leadership are two important facts that sets me apart. Loyalty and trust are two things that make a team. The teachers trust me and I'm loyal to them.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Do what best all and not make decisions on special interest groups.
What legacy would you like to leave?
That was fair to all.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The Assassination of President John Kennedy. Sophomore in High School.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
Helper on a milk truck. Be on time.
What happened on your most awkward date?
Ashes from my cigarette fell on my dates blouse and I tried to push them off.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas, Family get together.
What is your favorite book? Why?
To Kill a Mockingbird.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
None
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
Tv
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Side of the neck
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Pleasing others.
What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?
Provide the resources necessary to educate all children
Who are your constituents?
People who educate their children in both Public and Private schools.
How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?
I believe in providing programs that will help each and every group with their particular programs.
How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?
I believe meeting with people, groups and other shareholders helps build a relationship where everyone can work together to get the results everyone wants to accomplish.
What will you do to build a better relationship with parents in the district? What plans do you have to be inclusive of parental involvement?
By attending PTO meetings and answering their questions and concerns. By answering their phone calls, messages and emails on a timely manner.
Do you believe it is important to intentionally recruit with the aim of diversifying the district’s faculty, staff, and administration? If so, what would be your policy to achieve this?
Yes I do I have worked with Human Resources Department to recruit by starting a Teaching Academies to prepare students to the profession. Also non-certified employees who have degrees but not education have the opportunity to return to school to get their certification and we pay.
What issues get in the way of quality education? How would you address these obstacles?
Special interest groups divide the board.
What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?
There are no bad teachers all they need it more training and mentoring by Katherine peers to become the teacher we all desire.
What type of skills should students be learning for success in the 21st century?
Everyday skills, how to live day to day, skills that will make them value their role in society. Skills to make a good living, skills that match their talent, skills that will make life enjoyable to them.
How might you improve the value of a high school diploma? What should a 21st century diploma reflect?
The belief that everyone is college is a myth. Today's kids have a different mind set in what they want to do with their life we need to establish a diploma system that meet their desires.
In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?
I believe we need to go back to life skills. How to handle money, how to resolve conflicts, how government works.
What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?
Stat funding is the key to a first class school system. Local funding can be increased to fund teacher pay raises and build new Schools either with a sale tax or property tax or a combination.
What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?
Everyone deserves to be free to pursue an education without worrying about their safety. We have instituted several precautionary measures to insure that right.
How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?
By increasing the personal at each school to monitor and counsel the children that need the services.
What role do you imagine technology playing in (and outside) the classroom in the future? How would you prepare the district for this?
There no end to technology in the future. We have increased our WiFi systems to accommodate that need.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2014
Bonura listed the following campaign themes on his campaign website:
| “ | To educate every child of every culture for today’s economy
|
” |
| —Marion "Coach" Bonura's campaign website (2014) | ||
See also
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Elect Coach Bonura, "About," accessed September 15, 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Louisiana Secretary of State, "Candidate Inquiry," accessed September 3, 2014
- ↑ Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, "Louisiana Campaign Finance Reports," accessed October 29, 2014
- ↑ The Times-Picayune, "Jefferson Parish School Board endorsements announced by Alliance for Good Government," September 12, 2014
- ↑ Jefferson Federation of Teachers, "Jefferson Parish School Board Endorsements," accessed October 29, 2014
- ↑ Elect Coach Bonura, "Homepage," accessed September 15, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| 2014 Jefferson Parish Public Schools Elections | |
| Jefferson Parish, Louisiana | |
| Election date: | November 4, 2014 |
| Candidates: | District 1: • Incumbent, Mark Morgan • Charles "Ken" Bradley District 2: • Rickeem Jackson • Ricky Johnson • April Williams |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Key deadlines • Additional elections on the ballot |
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