Politics & Government

Rob Johnson, Nashua Board Of Education Candidate

The candidate explains why he is running in 2023.

Rob Johnson
Rob Johnson (Submitted by Rob Johnson)

Rob Johnson

Age (as of Election Day)

53

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Position sought (including district number if applicable)

Board of Education

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Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Wife, Pilar, two kids, a Senior and Junior at Nashua South

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BFA 1992 School of Visual Arts, NYC

Occupation

Creative Director / Designer / Branding and Packaging; owner of Dark Spot LLC

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

rob4boe.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

All children should have the opportunities for a great education and school experience. We needto work together, parents, teachers and students, to achieve this.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Communication. We need to make efforts to reach out to all involved to explain the decisions the Board makes. We need to take advantage of social media to help share information so when we make decisions we can show why those decisions were made. We also need to listen, even to those we disagree with, so we can address the questions that will arise.

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

I have experience in higher education, where part of my responsibilities was addressing the needs of the students to the administration. As such I would often need to mediate between the sides, and work to reach compromise.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The Board has accomplished a lot recently, dealing with getting kids back in classrooms after COVID a new superintendent and redistricting. However, I do feel they need to address parents more often, and be willing to reach out to parents who feel there issues are not being addressed. As already stated, communication is important, and can often help to give people the 'why' behind decisions.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I am a strong believer in peer support for students, sometimes the best way to help a student is through another student, especially if the have fears in confiding in adults. We need to help lift up the students who have fallen behind. Support our teachers and staff, they have had a difficult few years, and we can't expect our kids to succeed if we don't support those who educate them.

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

Raising two amazing children with my wife. Being part of the New Searles PTO and helping to improve the school and student life. Working as the Student Activities Coordinator at School of Visual Artss, where, as part of Student Services, we were able to improve student life by implementing peer programs to identify and help struggling students, and creating a positive atmosphere with students, faculty and administration.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

I go back to the same answer from two years ago, "You may be right, but that doesn't mean they're wrong". This was told to me by my mentor, to realize its important to understand why someone takes a position, and what influenced that.

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

Be open to discussion, always listen, and be willing to look for compromise to achieve goals.

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