Q&A Profile: Meet ABC School Board Candidate Louise Dodson

Editor's Note: Louise Dodson is running for a four-year term alongside candidates Henna Sharma and incumbents Maynard Law, Celia Spitzer, Armin Reyes and Sophia Tse.

Get to know your ABC School Board candidate Louise Dodson a little more through Patch's Q&A session:

Name: Louise Dodson

Educational Background:  Bachelors of Science (Criminal Justice)

Current Job/Career: Deputy Probation Officer

Married? Children? Married for 27 years with two adult children

What city do you live in? Lakewood

What is your favorite book? Developing Leaders Around You

What is something unique the public doesn’t know about you? I am apart of Anointed Silence Mime ministry team at church

What term are you running for in the Nov. 8 ABC School Board election? I am running for the 4-year term.

Why are you running for a spot on the ABC School Board? I want to RETURN to the School Board as an active voice of the community, continuing the high quality of education throughout the district.

Having been a past ABC School Board Member, why did you decide to run again? I decided to run again because of my passion for the community. Many people have expressed their appreciation of being represented by a person that brought a different perspective to the ABC School Board.

If elected, what will you do differently this time around, if anything?  The only thing that I would do differently is implement an idea I have to respectfully embrace the differences in our ABC communities. 

What is your personal experience or personal ties you have with the ABC Unified School District? As an active community leader I have served in many volunteer capacities such as PTA/PTSA volunteer, President, Co-Chair of the Annual Parent Leadership Conference, Board of Director for Community Family Guidance Center Foundation, ABC District Strategic Planning Committee and Former School Board Member. Both of my children are products of ABCUSD from elementary to high school.

In your opinion, what is the most critical problem that the district faces?  The continued budget cuts are the most critical problem facing the district.

How do you feel about the district’s push to hire specialized and professionally trained individuals, such as counselors? Is this a necessity?  I feel that the push to hire specialized and professionally trained individuals is necessary in order for students to be guided towards their future beyond high school.

Should the district have to undergo another round of budget cuts, where should the cuts be made? Realizing the impact of budget cuts on the district is difficult as a whole collaboration if necessary before decisions of cuts would occur. Collaboration with the School Board Members and District Administration must be done before determining where cuts in funding will be made.

What is your stance on implementing more career-oriented and technical study courses in the school curriculum?  I encourage the implementing of a more career-oriented and technical study course in the school curriculum. I have a great appreciation for the Long Beach Unified School District Career – Tech program called Linked Learning. Linked Learning serves as a pathway to college and career success. Linked Learning allows students to build a strong foundation for success in college and career and life.

What sets you apart from the other candidates? My ability to see things from a different perspective in relation to the negative experience my child experienced in the 2nd grade. My desire to align with teacher, school administration and district administration has driven me to be a strong advocate for parent leadership within the community. Empowering parents to be partners in the educational lives of students has been my passion over the years.

If elected, what will you do to make a difference in the ABC Unified School District?  I would make a difference as a voice of return. My experience has prepped me to have a seat at the table to discuss the budget cuts and develop innovative ways to get our fair share of needed funds.    

If anything, what needs to change in the district? Continued work to close the achievement gap in order to improve test scores and continue the quest of academic excellence for all students.