Newark Public Schools, New Jersey, elections (2021)

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2022 → ← 2020
Newark Public Schools elections
General election date
April 20, 2021
Enrollment ('17-'18)
35,713 students

Dawn Haynes, Asia Norton, Vereliz Santana, and Daniel Gonzalez each won a seat on the Newark Public Schools school board in New Jersey on April 20, 2021. Three seats were up for the regular general election, and one seat was up for special election.

Haynes, Norton, and Santana, all incumbents, defeated challengers Nadirah Brown, Yolanda Johnson, and Philip Wilson in the regular election with 29.9%, 28.2%, and 27.1% of the vote, respectively, to serve three-year terms on the board. No other candidate received over 6%. Gonzalez, meanwhile, won a special election for an open fourth seat against Sheila Montague with 65.6% of the vote to Montague’s 34.4%.

A special election was called after board member Tave Padilla died on November 25, 2020. Vereliz Santana was appointed to the seat in January 2021. Her term ended after the April 20 election, and Gonzalez, as the winner of the special election, will serve the remainder of the term.

Haynes, Santana, Norton, and Gonzalez ran on the Moving Newark Schools Forward ticket, a candidate slate backed by Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. Haynes and Norton previously ran on the slate in 2018 when they were both first elected to the board.

In 2021, Newark Public Schools was overseen by a nine-member board, all of whom were elected at large to three-year terms. The district was the largest school district in the state in the 2014-2015 school year and served 34,861 students. From 1995 to 2017, the New Jersey state government oversaw the school district. Local control was returned to the district on September 13, 2017.

This election was a battleground race. Other 2021 battlegrounds included:

Mayoral election in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (May 18, 2021 Democratic primary) New Jersey gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election, 2021 (May 8 Republican convention)

Elections

Click on the tabs below to show more information about those topics.

Candidates and results

Regular election (3 seats - three-year terms)

General election

General election for Newark Public Schools Board of Education (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Newark Public Schools Board of Education on April 20, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dawn Haynes (Nonpartisan)	29.9	3,617
✔	Submit photo	Asia Norton (Nonpartisan)	28.2	3,411
✔		Vereliz Santana (Nonpartisan)	27.4	3,311
		Yolanda Johnson (Nonpartisan)	5.6	676
	Submit photo	Nadirah Brown (Nonpartisan)	4.8	577
	Submit photo	Phillip Wilson (Nonpartisan)	4.1	500

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 12,092
= 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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Special election (1 seat - unexpired term)

General election

Special general election for Newark Public Schools Board of Education

Daniel Gonzalez defeated Sheila Montague in the special general election for Newark Public Schools Board of Education on April 20, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Daniel Gonzalez (Nonpartisan)	66.0	2,580
		Sheila Montague (Nonpartisan)	34.0	1,331

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,911
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Additional elections on the ballot

See also: New Jersey elections, 2021

What's on your ballot?

Click here to find out using My Vote

June 8, 2021

• New Jersey gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2021
• New Jersey State Senate elections, 2021
• New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2021
• Municipal elections in Essex County, New Jersey (2021)
• Municipal elections in Hudson County, New Jersey (2021)

November 2, 2021

• New Jersey gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2021
• New Jersey State Senate elections, 2021
• New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2021
• New Jersey Public Question 1, Sports Betting on State College Athletics Amendment (2021)
• New Jersey Public Question 2, Raffle Money for Organizations Amendment (2021)
• Municipal elections in Essex County, New Jersey (2021)
• Municipal elections in Hudson County, New Jersey (2021)
• City elections in Jersey City, New Jersey (2021)
• Mayoral election in Jersey City, New Jersey (2021)
• Jersey City Public Schools, New Jersey, elections (2021)

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff compiled a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.

Dawn Haynes

Dawn Haynes

Incumbent: Yes

Political Office: None

Biography:  After graduating high school, Haynes joined the U.S. Air Force. She later graduated as a certified electronic systems technician from Lincoln Technical Institute. Haynes was the first Muslim woman working as a technician for Direct TV.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Haynes said that the board should conduct more community outreach to improve its relationship with the community. 

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To facilitate greater community involvement, Haynes said that it was important for parents and community members to feel "comfortable enough to speak to us about what’s going on, so with solution-driven objectives, we can solve the issues that are going on."

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Show sources

Sources: TAP into Newark, "School Board Candidates Address Current Issues Facing Newark Schools at Forum," April 7, 2021; Newark Trust for Education, "Meet the 2021 Candidates," accessed April 16, 2021

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Newark Public Schools Board of Education in 2021.

Asia Norton

Asia Norton

Do you have a photo that could go here? Click here to submit it for this profile!

Incumbent: Yes

Political Office: None

Biography:  Norton graduated from Simmons College in Boston and worked as a teacher for seven years at Newark at North Star Academy, KIPP NJ, and Marion P. Thomas Charter School, later earning a master's degree from Columbia University. She coached teachers in literacy at Elizabeth Public Schools under the Children’s Literacy Initiative, and served as Chair of the Finance and Budget Committee and Chair of the Legal Committee and Vice Chair of the Programs and Instructions Committee while a member of the Newark Board of Education.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Norton said her short-term goal as part of the board would be to develop a plan to address learning loss caused by the pandemic. 

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To focus more on special education in the district, Norton said that teachers need more training in this area.  

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Show sources

Sources: TAP into Newark, "School Board Candidates Address Current Issues Facing Newark Schools at Forum," April 7, 2021; Newark Trust for Education, "Meet the 2021 Candidates," accessed April 16, 2021

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Newark Public Schools Board of Education in 2021.

Vereliz Santana

Vereliz Santana

Incumbent: Yes

Political Office: None

Biography:  Santana studied at Stockton University and the University of Grenada and then began working in the administration of Mayor Ras J. Baraka as a senior aide. She then worked for the International Division at The College Board Headquarters before becoming legislative director at the office New Jersey Senator M. Teresa Ruiz.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Santana said that she supported using language learning and translation services to provide more equitable learning opportunities to students. 

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To aid students whose first language isn't English, Santana said she will "share that perspective and experience being on the board - being a Latina and heritage Spanish speaker."

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Show sources

Sources: TAP into Newark, "School Board Candidates Address Current Issues Facing Newark Schools at Forum," April 7, 2021TAP into Newark, "Newark Board of Education Appoints Vereliz Santana to Fill Vacancy," January 28, 2021; Newark Trust for Education, "Meet the 2021 Candidates," accessed April 16, 2021

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Newark Public Schools Board of Education in 2021.

Nadirah Brown

Nadirah Brown

Do you have a photo that could go here? Click here to submit it for this profile!

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  After graduating from Douglass College on the Rutgers New Brunswick Campus, Brown worked for Prudential Insurance Company. Brown also worked for the City of Newark for the Department of Public Welfare and the Division of Family Assistance and Benefits (DFAB).

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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To increase parental involvement, Brown said more parent-teacher workshops should be held.

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Brown said a key issue with low parental involvement is a lack of information provided to parents. 

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Show sources

Sources: TAP into Newark, "School Board Candidates Address Current Issues Facing Newark Schools at Forum," April 7, 2021; Newark Trust for Education, "Meet the 2021 Candidates," accessed April 16, 2021

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Newark Public Schools Board of Education in 2021.

Yolanda Johnson

Yolanda Johnson

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Johnson studied at Ashford University and volunteered in Newark Public Schools for over 20 years. She started a group called Eagles Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) in 2014, and in 2015, she founded Parents Educating Parents, Inc. (PEP, Inc.) where she served as the Chief Executive Officer.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Johnson said that the public should be involved in the board's appointment process to fill vacancies and that she would send out emails and text messages inviting citizens to weigh in on the process. 

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A top priority for Johnson is increasing transparency between the board, parents, students, and community members.

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Johnson said the biggest challenge facing students is poverty, and that the board "can use the schools for hubs of resources" to address this issue. 

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Show sources

Sources: Newark Trust for Education, "Meet the 2021 Candidates," accessed April 16, 2021TAP into Newark, "School Board Candidates Address Current Issues Facing Newark Schools at Forum," April 7, 2021; Newark Trust for Education, "Meet the 2021 Candidates," accessed April 16, 2021

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Newark Public Schools Board of Education in 2021.

Philip Wilson

Phillip Wilson

Do you have a photo that could go here? Click here to submit it for this profile!

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Wilson attended Essex County Schools of Technology and has worked as an Auto Collision Tech and as an Auto Collision Instructor.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Advocating for career and technical education (CTE), Wilson said that vocational and technical training need to be reinstated into the Newark school system. 

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Show sources

Sources: TAP into Newark, "School Board Candidates Address Current Issues Facing Newark Schools at Forum," April 7, 2021; Newark Trust for Education, "Meet the 2021 Candidates," accessed April 16, 2021

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Newark Public Schools Board of Education in 2021.

Daniel Gonzalez

Daniel Gonzalez

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Gonzalez graduated from Rutgers University in 1993 and worked for accounting firm KPMG Peat Marwick. In 2002, he worked for Mayor Sharpe James as chief financial officer and director of finance for the City of Newark.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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To address technnological inequalities in digital learning, Gonzalez said more of the school budget should be dedicated towards providing educators and students with necessary technological equipment.

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Show sources

Sources: TAP into Newark, "School Board Candidates Address Current Issues Facing Newark Schools at Forum," April 7, 2021; Newark Trust for Education, "Meet the 2021 Candidates," accessed April 16, 2021

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Newark Public Schools Board of Education in 2021.

Sheila Montague

Sheila Montague

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Montague acquired degrees from Kean University and Seton Hall Universities. She worked as a teacher in Newark Public Schools for over 20 years and worked as a professor at Essex County College. Montague is a published author and founded two community organizations, Changing the Lens Together (CTLT) and Face Structure.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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To ensure students receive equal education, Montague said schools should focus on improving social behavioral patterns in students to improve the work environment for teachers. 

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Montague said she would "explore opportunities to utilize student-driven processes to set educational goals for themselves." 

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To foster a better relationship with the community, Montague said it is important to overcome the "anti-parent and anti-community narrative" she says has developed over the years. 

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Show sources

Sources: Newark Trust for Education, "Meet the 2021 Candidates," accessed April 16, 2021TAP into Newark, "School Board Candidates Address Current Issues Facing Newark Schools at Forum," April 7, 2021; Newark Trust for Education, "Meet the 2021 Candidates," accessed April 16, 2021

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Newark Public Schools Board of Education in 2021.

What was at stake?

Report a story for this election

Ballotpedia researches issues in school board elections across the United States, but information availability is a challenge for us in many school districts. Please contact us about the issues that impact your local school district. Note that not all submissions may meet Ballotpedia's coverage requirements for inclusion.

Candidate survey

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Click here to view or fill out the survey.

Debates and forums

• On April 6, 2021, the Newark Trust for Education hosted a virtual forum for candidates in this election. Click here to watch.
• On March 18, 2021, the Newark NAACP hosted a virtual forum for candidates in this election. Click here to watch.

About the district

See also: Newark Public Schools, New Jersey

Newark Public Schools is located in Essex County, New Jersey.

Newark Public Schools is located in Essex County, New Jersey. The seat of county government is Newark. Essex County was home to an estimated 797,434 residents between 2010 and 2015, according to the United States Census Bureau.

Demographics

Essex County underperformed compared to New Jersey as a whole in terms of higher education attainment between 2011 and 2015. The United States Census Bureau found that 32.7 percent of county residents aged 25 years and older had attained a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to 36.8 percent for the state as a whole. The median household income in the county was $53,976, compared to $72,093 for the entire state. County residents lived below the poverty level at a rate of 16.8 percent, while that rate was 10.8 percent for all state residents.

Racial Demographics, 2015
Race	Essex County (%)	New Jersey (%)
White	49.6	72.6
Black or African American	41.8	14.8
American Indian and Alaska Native	0.7	0.6
Asian	5.5	9.7
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander	0.1	0.1
Two or More Races	2.3	2.1
Hispanic or Latino	22.4	19.7

Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

See also

Newark Public Schools	New Jersey	School Boards
Newark Public Schools, New Jersey, elections (2020) List of school districts in New Jersey	New Jersey school board elections, 2021 Public education in New Jersey Local ballot measures, New Jersey	School board elections, 2021 School board elections, 2020 School board election data analysis, 2021 School board election data analysis, 2020

External links

• Search Google News for this topic
• Newark Public Schools

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