Candidate Profile: Dave Johnson, Jeffco Public Schools

JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO — Three seats are up for election on the Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Dave Johnson is running for Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education, District 2.

Family

Wife. Daughter 13.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Wife works for Jeffco Public Schools.

Education

Masters Education Leadership

Occupation

Behavioral Health Executive

Campaign website

www.decisiontime.org

Why are you seeking elective office?

To be of service to my community.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My background in Behavioral Health and the District's major priority is student health; physical and mental well being creates a match where I can provide expert support to the District.

Budget Chair for District Accountability Committee for multiple years and Districts major priority of fiscal performance creates a match where I can provide support to the District.

How do you think local officials are performing in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

If local officials means Public Health department I would say I am challenged by some of their decisions. If we mean District officials, by law they must follow Public Health decisions so I nor anyone could have done anything differently.

My main focus is to have the students IN SCHOOL. If we have to follow uncomfortable protocols to ensure positive test results remain below any threshold to cause isolation then it is something we must do....

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I believe the role of a Board of Directors is to represent the constituents and provide support to the Superintendent and District. I have served on local committee's for close to a decade and believe I have a grasp of what the community wants from its schools. My only agenda is to support, not drive organized and orchestrated outside interests that do not serve students, families our our community. My background is well rounded and diverse. I have worked in school districts in Chicago and Phoenix along with Colorado so have diversity in my experience. It is important to provide value and depth of experience to the District and Superintendent.

I have managed thousands of people and hundreds of million dollar budgets. The District budget is over a billion dollars. It takes acute and expert financial acumen to understand student finance, hold the state and district accountable for its financial decision making. I worked on the budget with District Cabinet and know it inside and out. I will hold the District accountable.

I work in a field where tragedy, crisis, life and death decisions are daily occurrences. I take this very seriously. My commitment to the community is I will always focus on the Mission of the school district, the education and safety of the students. Period.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I owned a residential treatment center for young people. There is nothing like it when a parent drops off their kid and you take responsibility for the life of someone's child. All I think about; all day, every day is the welfare of the people in my care. I can't even describe the responsibility, love, and focus I have had over the past years taking and transforming the lives of sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, moms and dads. It is my life mission.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be honest. Always.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I listen. There used to be a time when collaboration and cooperation got things done. We can be there again. Greatness is achievable. If we do it together....