Aljahmi, Jamal - Dearborn Public Schools
Are you an incumbent?
No
Brief Intro of Candidate
I am a passionate advocate for education and community development. I am running for the Dearborn School Board with a vision to enhance our local educational landscape. With nearly four decades of dedicated service to the Dearborn community, I bring a wealth of experience from my roles on various school boards and a decade-long involvement with the City of Dearborn Parking Recreation Commissions. My contributions to the Master Land Use Plan and extensive volunteer work with nonprofits highlight my commitment to improving the lives of children and families.
As a parent of seven young adults, I deeply understand the impact of education. My campaign addresses the achievement gap, supports and retains teachers, and improves education quality through innovative methods and modern technology. By prioritizing fiscal responsibility and equitable resource distribution, I aim to ensure that every student and teacher in Dearborn has the support needed.
Additionally my professional experience has prepared me for this role. I’ve successfully managed a total budget of over $38.5 million across diverse high-impact projects. At the 36th District Court, I directed a $3.5 million technology overhaul, enhancing IT infrastructure and cybersecurity. Leading a $24 million statewide implementation for the Indiana Department of Health, I ensured on-time, within-budget delivery of critical applications. At Health Alliance Plan, I drove an $11 million CRM project that boosted efficiency and cut costs. My leadership in these roles reflects a proven track record of delivering substantial improvements and cost savings across varied technical and organizational challenges.
Endorsements
1- Ibrahim Baydoun, 2- Dr. Mohamed Sohoubah
Top financials Contributors
Website and social media links
My campaign is proudly supported by a diverse range of contributions from members of our own community.
How would you engage and include parents, caregivers, community members and students in decision-making in your district around things like curriculum, budgeting and district policy?
To involve parents, caregivers, community members, and students in decision making, I would establish advisory committees, hold regular public forums and surveys, and organize workshops to discuss key issues. I would ensure transparency through newsletters and social media. I would provide easy ways for the community to offer feedback. This way, I can make sure everyone’s opinions are heard and considered. To ensure student voice is represented, I would make it a priority to use social media and word of mouth to reach students and invite them to public forums.
What are your thoughts on school discipline and the way it is exercised in your school district? What are your thoughts on restorative practices?
School discipline is handled inconsistently in our district. Restorative Practices are being implemented to some degree in all schools but are inconsistent. Many schools default to outdated and harmful disciplinary practices in the name of efficiency or when under pressure. Our district and school administrators need to be held accountable for the implementation of Restorative Practices with fidelity as they play a crucial role in creating a positive and inclusive school climate that promotes student well-being and success. By implementing fair and equitable discipline practices and incorporating restorative approaches to addressing conflicts and building relationships, schools can create a supportive and respectful learning environment where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered. This, in turn, will reduce cause for discipline and increase students’ self-efficacy and confidence. Accountability for the district and school administrators can come in the form of data collection, policy review, focus group interviews, student and staff testimonies, and program reviews and calibration.
What are your thoughts on how to improve student mental health
By promoting a positive school climate, increasing access to mental health services, fostering relationships and connections with social service organizations, implementing mindfulness practices, and addressing systemic factors, schools can create a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes the well-being of all students. Improving mental health of students and staff can happen when families, community organizations, and mental health providers collaborate to ensure that students and staff receive the support and resources they need to thrive mentally, emotionally, and academically. Additionally, working toward increasing the number of social workers working in schools as well as purchasing effective curricula and extracurricular activities that center well-being of children is a priority.
What are your thoughts on ways to improve Black student achievement in your district and in Michigan schools overall?
Family and community engagement is a vital part in creating empowerment and a sense of involvement in Black students. All staff should be trained on implicit bias and systems should be reviewed constantly to identify and uproot discriminatory practices towards Black students. Additionally, curricular resources need to represent Black voices, the lived experiences of Black people and center Black icons of achievement.
Schools can work towards closing achievement gaps and promoting success for all Black students in Michigan. All students who may be struggling academically can be helped through targeted interventions and support services. It is important to approach this work with a sense of urgency, collaboration, and commitment to equity to ensure that Black students have the support and resources they need to thrive academically and beyond.
What are your thoughts on how to ensure that all students and their families, regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., feel safe and included in your district?
The safety and inclusion of all students and families, regardless of their background or identity should be prioritized. School districts can create a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Through intentional efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, schools can help all individuals thrive and succeed. School leaders should promote a culture of respect, kindness, and acceptance among students, staff, and families. This includes fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated, and differences are viewed as strengths.
What are your thoughts on how to recruit and retain staff, particularly staff of color, in your district with regard to pay, benefits, and working conditions?
With a district such as Dearborn Public Schools, it is imperative that school personnel are diverse and culturally competent. This can be made a priority and actualized in various ways. Training on cultural responsiveness and implicit bias should be embedded in the onboarding programs for new personnel. Regular training in these areas should be available to staff as well. Cultural diversity should be celebrated at the school and district level to make it clear that diversity is something that Dearborn Public Schools holds valuable. Incidents of harassment, discrimination and cultural bias should be addressed in a serious manner and leaders who perpetuate discriminatory practices and culture should also be dealt with in a serious manner. These are working conditions that people of color will find attractive and the best recruiters of an organization are the staff themselves. The pay and benefits our district offers must be fair and competitive to attract high quality candidates who will be able to do their job well due to being able to thrive with fair wages and benefits.