By Demetrius M. Terry​

As Jersey City continues to lead the nation when it comes to diversity and inclusion, Vice-President Sudhan Thomas is highly qualified to be the next President of the Jersey City Board of Education. In 2017, Sudhan Thomas was the first Indian-American to be elected to a seat on the Jersey City Board of Education. In addition, Thomas was appointed as Vice-President which speaks volumes to his ability to lead and fight for all students in the City of Jersey City. While Thomas was running for public office, he was endorsed by leaders from around the State of New Jersey. He was endorsed by elected officials, unions, community organizations, college organizations, faith organizations, and residents in Jersey City because they knew he would end the gridlock on the Jersey City Board of Education to focus on all of our students in the district. While there was two factions on the board, VP Thomas was a bridge builder to ensure our students were put first. 

​As a member of the LGBTQ community, I was proud to see a comprehensive LGBTQ policy finally be set in place in our district. VP Thomas wrote and implemented a policy that would ensure all students felt protected regardless of their sexual orientation. At a time when we have a Trump Pence Republican administration attacking progressive values left and right, VP Thomas led the charge to stand up against hatred and bigotry by ensuring all students felt welcome in Jersey City. 

​In addition, VP Thomas joined the Board of Directors of the New Jersey School Board Association in September 2017. He was the first board member from Jersey City to be elected to the 26 member board overseeing over 550 school districts and 5,000 school board members in the State of New Jersey. He also was elected as Chair of the NJSBA Work Force Committee which oversees preparation of non-college bound students for the work force across the State of New Jersey. He was also elected as the voting delegate to the Urban Board NJSBA Committee fighting hard for Jersey City. 

​As the former Executive Vice-President of College Democrats of New Jersey, I was able to get my board to endorse the Education Matters Team which was the slate VP Thomas ran with. The College Democrats of New Jersey had never endorsed any candidate (s) running for public office, but we made history by stepping outside of the box and endorsing individuals who we knew would fight for progressive values for all students in Jersey City. 

​VP Sudhan Thomas is a parent, educator, business professional, and a taxpayer who possesses the leadership skill set which will significantly benefit our district. He understands – firsthand – the inevitable changes and challenges facing the Jersey City Public School District. As a member of the Legal Committee, Student Equity and Work Force Committee, Return to Local Control Committee, RFP Committee, and School Funding Committee he is ready to lead us forward with progressive values as President of the Jersey City Board of Education. Lastly, he has never missed a single board of education meeting. 

Demetrius M. Terry

Former Executive VP College Democrats of NJ