BUILDING THE FUTURE WITH WARD 5 FAMILIES
I’m Jon Alfuth- I’m a father, life-long educator, and K-12 state policy expert who is committed to improving our city’s public schools.
A long time Ward 5 resident with a daughter in DCPS and wife who teaches in a DC Public Charter School, I’m personally invested in the success of all our city’s public schools. I began my professional career as a high school math teacher and continue to engage in the classroom weekly by volunteering as an award-winning after school debate coach in DCPS. I’ve worked at the state, federal, and national level, advising state legislators, senators, governors, and US Secretaries of education on policy impacting our schools.
I’m running for state board of education because I believe we need to fight so that all our DC public schools - both DCPS and our public charter schools - can successfully prepare our kids for the future. Our schools have made progress in recent years, but we know that too many of our graduates aren’t finding the success we want for them after they leave our K-12 system. I want to put my knowledge and experience to work on behalf of all of DC’s kids so that each and everyone of them leaves our schools with what they need to be successful in the future.
If elected, I commit to my Ward 5 neighbors that I will prioritize creating safe and healthy school environments for all students, protecting future ready pathways, and working with citywide stakeholders to reduce chronic absenteeism.
Sincerely, Jon Alfuth
Who I am & Why I’m Running
PRIORITIES
CREATE SAFE & HEALTHY LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
I know from my many conversations with community members that student safety and belonging in school is a critical issue for our ward.
FUTURE
READINESS
We must fight to make sure that our students are exposed to the knowledge and experiences they need to prepare them for what comes next.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Too many DC students miss too many days of school. As a classroom teacher, I know how important it is that each and every student is present and engaged every day.
Endorsed by
“I deeply respect Jon’s dedication to students - both academically, through his work as a former teacher, and beyond the classroom, as a seasoned debate coach serving multiple schools. Through our conversations, I’ve found that he embodies the thoughtfulness, eagerness, and openness that State Board members should bring to the role.”
Alexander Ting, Current Student State Board Member
Here is a School Board Candidate that has the planks on his platform that will provide measurable outcomes for our public schools in Ward 5. Increased Literacy Percentages, improved student attendance, and a growing workforce readiness makes up his foundation.
Donnie Shaw, Ward 5 Resident and Rotary Club President
“I've known Jon since I was in 9th grade and he coached me, I've seen how he's committed to improving the educational experiences of students in DC through debate. That, coupled with his work highlighting student voice, assures me that he will bring that same commitment to the State Board of Education.”
Liv Birnstad, Former Student State Board Member, 2022-23
Read more quotes from community members and additional endorsements on Jon’s endorsement page