Meet The People Running For Chicago’s School Board Election In District 3
Who Is Jason Dones?
Jason Dones
Credit: Provided/Victor Powell
Dónes said his life’s work has been all about “empowering parents and working-class families.” Dónes grew up in Humboldt Park, graduated from Lane Tech High School, and is currently sending his son to Moos Elementary, their neighborhood school.
The 36-year-old is the Moos Elementary Local School Council vice chair and has previously taught and trained teachers in various CPS schools through City Year Chicago and Teach for America. Dónes worked on CPS’ Instructional Equity Working Group and helped draft Illinois’ first set of culturally responsive teaching standards.
Since the start of 2023, Dónes has worked for Beyond 100k, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the STEM teacher shortage with a focus on attracting more teachers of color.
“If elected, I would focus on ‘reversing the systemic disinvestment’ in District 3’s neighborhood schools,” Dónes said. He also said the district needs to invest in more pre-K options and ensure schools are fully staffed with nurses, case managers, and special education professionals.
With issues such as book bans filling headlines in recent years, CPS should continue to focus on culturally relevant curriculum, Dónes said.
“My life is steeped in education at this point, I’m not going anywhere,” Dónes said. “If I don’t get this board position, this is still my chosen path for impact.”
Dónes has raised almost $20,000 for his campaign as of Sept. 13 — including more than $13,000 from Grassroots PAC, more than $4500 from the Chicago Teachers Union’s political committees, and $600 from state Sen. Graciela Guzman (20th).
Dónes has been endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union, the Cook County Teachers Union, and the Coalition of Northwest Side Progressives, which includes U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, state Sen. Omar Aquino, state Rep. Will Guzzardi, Cook County Commissioner Anthony Quezada, Ald. Rossana Rodriguez (33rd), Ald. Danuel La Spata (1st), Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th), Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th), and Ald. Ruth Cruz (30th).
Read Dónes’ full questionnaire responses.
Who Is Carlos Rivas Jr.?
Carlos Rivas Jr. poses for a portrait in Oz Park on Sept. 11, 2024.
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Rivas Jr. was born and raised in Humboldt Park and graduated from Northside College Prep. He attended Lowell Elementary, his neighborhood school, and continued to help out at the school throughout college.
The 35-year-old did Teach for America and has taught at both CPS schools and UIC College Prep, a charter school. He also got a Fulbright Scholarship to teach English in Argentina and is vice president of the Fulbright Association’s Chicago Chapter. In preparation for his campaign, Rivas enrolled in the All Chicago Fellowship program, which was created to train potential school board members.
In 2022, Rivas began working for the city’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability, or COPA, as the director of public affairs. However, during his first few months at COPA, Rivas was placed on a special migrant mission. He worked at shelters and greeted the busloads of new arrivals.
Rivas is also a transitional foster parent, fostering unaccompanied migrant children who need to be placed in Spanish-speaking households before they are sent to an adult sponsor. Both of these experiences showed Rivas the importance of not only investing in bilingual programming at school, but also providing long-term support to help newcomer students process the trauma they underwent during their journey to Chicago.
Rivas said he would like to see schools in District 3 operate like community centers.
“If we can offer wraparound services at school, our families won’t have to go to multiple places,” Rivas said. “We don’t have enough community centers in Chicago, we don’t have enough safe places where people can do things.”
Schools could have counselors who help families apply for state benefits, access food security resources, and connect with health care services, Rivas said.
Rivas also said he supports investing in both neighborhood schools and select enrollment schools.
“Families deserve the opportunity to choose the best educational environment for their students,” Rivas said. “The board needs to fight for adequate resources across the district.”
Rivas raised a little over $11,000 for his campaign as of mid-July — including $3,000 from the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, $1,000 from Lowell Elementary School Principal Gladys Rivera, and $250 each from former Chicago Board of Education President Miguel Del Valle and former Deputy Education Secretary Peter Cunningham.
Rivas does not currently have any endorsements.
Read Rivas’ full questionnaire responses.
What Do They Stand For?
Both Dónes and Rivas Jr. believe that the district’s schools should prioritize providing more resources to families, who are socioeconomically and culturally diverse.
What Do They Say About Curriculum?
Dónes emphasized the importance of culturally relevant curriculum, while Rivas Jr. suggested that schools should offer a range of programming to meet the diverse needs of students.
How Do They Plan to Improve Schools?
Dónes wants to focus on “reversing the systemic disinvestment” in neighborhood schools and investing in more pre-K options, while Rivas Jr. suggests that schools should operate like community centers, offering wraparound services to families.
FAQs
Q: What are the top issues facing District 3 schools?
A: Dónes and Rivas Jr. both emphasized the need for more resources and support for families, as well as investing in bilingual programming and providing long-term support for newcomer students.
Q: What is their stance on curriculum?
A: Dónes emphasized the importance of culturally relevant curriculum, while Rivas Jr. suggested that schools should offer a range of programming to meet the diverse needs of students.
Q: How do they plan to improve schools?
A: Dónes wants to focus on “reversing the systemic disinvestment” in neighborhood schools and investing in more pre-K options, while Rivas Jr. suggests that schools should operate like community centers, offering wraparound services to families.
Conclusion
Dónes and Rivas Jr. are two strong candidates running in the Chicago School Board election in District 3. Both have unique experiences and perspectives, but share a commitment to prioritizing the needs of families and providing more resources to support student success. As voters prepare to head to the polls, it’s essential to learn more about their platforms and how they plan to improve schools in the district.
