Jon Alfuth

Where Alfuth stands

Topic headings are Vote Book’s; quoted words are each candidate’s own, with the source under each one. “As reported” items are a news outlet’s description, not an exact quote.

Education

What top two issues motivate you to serve on the State Board of Education?

Too many of our students are not experiencing success after they graduate high school. Data from the mayor's office suggest that too many of our students aren't earning a living wage, that they struggle to find success, and many feel pessimistic about their future. This tells me that something isn't working in our schools, and I want to be a part of addressing this. My top three priorities to strengthen all our public schools are ensuring all schools create a safe and healthy learning environment, provide students with future ready learning opportunities, and put in place strategies to address chronic absenteeism.

How do you intend to hear from, respond to, and balance the needs of students, parents, and teachers?

My number one priority is to center student outcomes at every decision I make. As state board member, I intend to build opportunities for cross Ward community engagement so that parents, students, teachers, and advocates have a collective voice in advocating for safe and healthy learning environments as well as other issues. I will listen to our teachers to better understand what they need to be successful and elevate these needs to the appropriate policy makers. And I will engage with PTOs across the ward to ensure I am intimately knowledgeable about the issues impacting our schools.

If yes, do your school-aged children attend DC Public Schools/DC Public Charter Schools? Why or why not?

Yes, my only school aged child attends 4th grade in DC public schools. We believe in DC public schools because of the excellent education the district offers and the broad range of extracurriculuar programs.

Background & priorities

What specific experience or skills prepare you to serve as a Board member?

First and foremost, I am a former classroom teacher with five years experience teaching high school. I am personally familiar with the opportunities and challenges facing our students and teachers. I am also the parent of school aged children who attend our public schools and am married to a DC school teacher, giving me a personal stake in the success of our public schools. I have 10 plus years of experience working in state K-12 education policy and am experienced working with state policymakers, including here in DC.