BOE Member Sudhan Thomas deserves to be President again

Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter in support of President Sudhan Thomas to continue as Jersey City Board of Education President for 2019.

As Jersey City continues to lead the nation when it comes to diversity and inclusion, President Sudhan Thomas deserves to continue as President of the Jersey City Board of Education. In 2017, President Thomas was the first Indian-American to be elected to a seat on the Jersey City Board of Education. In addition, he was appointed as Vice-President which speaks volumes to his ability to lead and fight for all students in the City of Jersey City. When he first ran for a seat on the Jersey City Board of Education, he was endorsed by leaders from around the State of New Jersey. He was endorsed by elected officials, unions, community organizations, college organizations, faith organizations, and residents in Jersey City because they knew he would end the gridlock on the Jersey City Board of Education to focus on all of our students in the district. While there was two factions on the board, Thomas was a bridge builder to ensure our students were put first.

As a member of the LGBTQ community, I was proud to see a comprehensive LGBTQ policy finally be set in place in our district thanks to his leadership. He wrote and implemented a policy that would ensure all students felt protected regardless of their sexual orientation. At a time when we have a Trump Pence Republican administration attacking progressive values left and right, he led the charge to stand up against hatred and bigotry by ensuring all students felt welcome in Jersey City.

In addition, he joined the Board of Directors of the New Jersey School Board Association in September 2017. He was the first board member from Jersey City to be elected to the 26 member board overseeing over 550 school districts and 5,000 school board members in the State of New Jersey. He also was elected as Chair of the NJSBA Work Force Committee which oversees preparation of non-college bound students for the work force across the State of New Jersey. He was also elected as the voting delegate to the Urban Board NJSBA Committee fighting hard for Jersey City.

As the former Executive Vice-President of College Democrats of New Jersey, I was able to get my board to endorse the Education Matters Team which was the slate Thomas ran with. The College Democrats of New Jersey had never endorsed any candidate (s) running for public office, but we made history by stepping outside of the box and endorsing individuals who we knew would fight for progressive values for all students in Jersey City.

President Sudhan Thomas is a parent, educator, business professional, and a taxpayer who possesses the leadership skill set which will significantly benefit our district. He understands – firsthand – the inevitable changes and challenges facing the Jersey City Public School District. As a member of the Legal Committee, Student Equity and Work Force Committee, Return to Local Control Committee, RFP Committee, and School Funding Committee he will continue to lead us forward with progressive values as President of the Jersey City Board of Education.

Lastly, I’ve noticed some individuals who are trying to smear his character and reputation, however those are all false stories. There is a clear reason why President Thomas keeps rising in leadership as it’s due to his integrity and passion for our teachers, staff, and children in the City of Jersey City. On Wednesday January 2nd, 2019, please join me in continuing the progress on the board of education by urging board members to re-elect President Sudhan Thomas for the 2019 school year.

Best,

Demetrius M. Terry, Jersey City