Dashad Cooper

Strongly Agree

I believe every woman has the right to decide what happens with her body; that’s her right. But I also believe life begins at conception, and every life should be protected all the way through natural death. It’s a complicated issue, and I think we have to find ways to respect both a woman’s choice and the value of life.

I believe the school role is to be a safe place for all students—especially when they're facing something tough like an unwanted or crisis pregnancy. It's not the school's place to make decision for them, but it is the school's job to make sure they have access to support, real resources, and people who actually care. At the end of the day, it's about protecting their right to make the best decision for themselves without pressure or judgement.

Strongly Agree

I believe that schools should not dictate whether a child must be vaccinated—that decision ultimately belongs to the parents. However, schools should be fully prepared for virtual learning, taking lessons from the recent COVID-19 pandemic. While it's important for the district to provide accurate information and prioritize the safety of both students and staff, we must also respect the rights of parents to make medical decisions for their children.

I believe government funding of public education from Pre-K through college is one of the best investments we can make in our future. Every student, no matter their background, deserves access to quality education without the burden of crushing debt or worrying about basic needs like food and clothing. When we fund education, we’re not just supporting individual students; we’re strengthening communities and opening doors for the next generation.

Strongly Disagree

Schools should never violate the religious or moral beliefs of any child or parent. There are clear boundaries that must be respected, and this is one of them. The separation of church and state exists to protect these rights and ensure that all families feel secure in their beliefs within the educational environment.

Strongly Agree

I believe a school’s main focus should be providing accurate information, resources, and support that help students make informed decisions. When it comes to topics like reproductive health or gender identity, students should have access to credible information from trusted providers, including organizations like Planned Parenthood. Any instruction or services offered in schools need to be age-appropriate, transparent with parents, and focused on education, not advocacy.

Strongly Agree

School district should support investing in having Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) within our schools to implement evidence-based strategies that promote positive behavior, while also providing faculty and staff with training on how to effectively engage with students in ways that reduce negative behavior, reinforce positive actions, and create a more supportive and inclusive classroom environment..

Strongly Agree

I believe our school district should teach American history fully and honestly—without leaving out the parts that made this country what it is today. That includes the hard truths, not just the highlights. Our kids deserve to learn about the full picture Indigenous history, slavery, civil rights, immigration, all of it because that’s how we grow, and that’s how they learn to think for themselves and understand the world around them. If we want to raise informed and thoughtful students, we’ve got

Strongly Agree

As a school board candidate I support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) because every kid in our community deserves a fair shot at a good education, no matter where they come from or what they look like. Yes, the school district has to follow the law, but it's about more than that. We need to make sure schools are welcoming and supportive for all students, making them feel valued and included. At the end of the day, the job is to educate every child, and that means embracing all the differe

Strongly Disagree

If the Department of Education were eliminated, it would shift critical powers and funding away from programs that support students with disabilities, low-income families, and those who rely on federal grants. At a time when many students are already struggling with access to basic needs like nutrition and mental health services, cutting these resources would put vulnerable families and children at even greater risk. We need to ensure these supports remain strong to help every student succeed.

1. Language arts 2. Mathematics 3. Physical Fitness 4. Social Emotional Learning 5.Art & Music 6. Science 7. Civics 8. American History 9. Foreign Language 10. Gender identity 11. Sexuality 12. Critical Race Theory 13. Politcal Activism 14. Information Technology 15. Personal Finances 16. Vocational Learning

Neutral

Yeah, I believe states should fund these kinds of systems because a lot of families just can’t afford to send their kids to a different district. Housing, jobs, or just not finding a place in certain districts makes it tough. The quality of schools matters too, and funding should follow the kid so parents have the real say in where their children go. Sending a child to another district costs a lot, and without state support, that option isn’t really open to everyone.

I believe every student deserves both equal opportunity and equitable outcomes. Our schools have a responsibility to provide every child with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to succeed. That means investing in programs that close achievement gaps and ensuring no student is left behind. When we commit to equity, we’re not just helping individual kids, we’re strengthening our whole community and building a future that works for everyone.

I think the school district needs to make sure parents get the opt-out info upfront so they know the

My spiritual beliefs are all about faith, staying humble, and treating people right. I believe in kindness, standing up for what’s right, and leading with compassion. Those values guide me every day—whether I’m working with families, serving the community, or making decisions that impact our kids. We all come from different backgrounds, but I believe we can come together around respect, humility, and doing what’s best for the next generation.

I believe both parents and schools share the responsibility when it comes to teaching sex education. We’ve got to be on the same page so students aren’t left confused or hearing mixed messages. Schools should be upfront with sending home clear info about what’s being taught and what’s being discussed. Sex ed isn’t just about the physical side, it’s also emotional, and that part often gets left out. Parents’ input is important, especially when it comes to figuring out the right age to start these conversations. It’s about working together to make sure our kids are informed, safe, and supported.

I believe students should get the full picture when it comes to reproductive health. That means learning about childbirth, alternatives to abortion, and what it really takes to be a parent. They should also understand things like abortion methods and side effects, consent, abstinence, birth control, anatomy, gender identity, sexual orientation, and the emotional and physical side of sex. It’s about giving them real facts so they can make informed choices and be prepared for real life.

Choose not to answer

I believe if the child comes to the school seeking information and resources from counselors that their privacy should be kept between student(s) and counselors. The school shouldn't be making decisions for a parent but provide information for that student and also protect their privacy as they confide into someone they trust. The student unless 18 years of age cannot make any medical decision without parent consent.

Strongly Agree

School divisions need to take every step to protect students from any kind of sexual grooming, whether it’s happening inside the building or outside of it. There’s no place for any material in our schools or libraries that even hints at grooming behavior. Keeping our students safe has to come first, no excuses.

Strongly Disagree

Schools division supports every parent personal beliefs about marriage, but public schools operate under the principle of separation of church and state. School divisions should not be promoting or endorsing any religions marriages whatsoever. Charlottesville city school serves students and families from a diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and identities. It is very important school division remain inclusive and focused on respecting and welcoming environment for all students and families.

Strongly Agree

Charlottesville City schools should be making sure every student gets a solid education, no matter their race or where they come from. Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and have access to the tools they need to succeed. Parents should feel like partners, not outsiders. At the end of the day, it’s about doing right by every kid who walks through those school doors.

Neutral

Schools need to respect both the students’ and parents’ rights. They should have the info ready and stick to the laws and policies when it comes to kids’ records. At the end of the day, schools are there to guide families, give clear info, and help parents and kids make the best choices for their future.

Disagree

Photo Identification should be required but other forms of identification should be accepted as well due to the face that some people can not access their ID mostly our homeless population that do not have the correct documents to obtain Identification.

Disagree

As a school district we should not be telling parents what their transgender child sports they can play or not play. Schools should be focus on the students safety and educating every single students.

No

No

2020 Democratic Primary 2020 General Election 2022 General Election

Moderate

I consider myself a moderate liberal because I believe people having the freedom to make their own choices with a government that steps up to protect rights, ensure fairness, and invest in communities. I stand for equal access whether that's education, healthcare, or economic opportunity. I believe the government should work to break barriers and not build them. It's about balancing personal freedom with real support systems that help everyone succeed, not just the few.

Strongly Disagree

I believe when we talk about the school faculty, no teacher should carry a weapon. There should be other alternatives in place like SRO's. The number one objective for the teachers is to teach our future generation not provide them with protection and student safety.

Neutral

Schools should be able to mandate certain precautions. I will not tell a parent that a student should be vaccines as that is making a parent decision for their children. There should be options such as virtual learning with a lot of training and preparing due to some children have compromised health issues.