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Occupation
Attorney
Qualifications for office
I am an attorney and a parent of students
Education
University of Pittsburgh, B.S. in Criminal Justice; Duquesne University School of Law, J.D.
Facebook
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574941408435
Instagram / TikTok
www.instagram.com/amycafardi_prschoolboard?igsh=MWlpOTY4eXF0M2t2ZQ==
I have had two children go through the Pine-Richland School District, both having very different experiences. My son is a 2019 graduate and my daughter is currently a sophomore in the high school. My children have both received support services through PR and have also participated in a variety of activities (football, baseball, track & field, band, chorus, orchestra, dance team). My experiences have allowed me to interact with many different aspects of our school district and my advocacy for my children and others has provided me with valuable perspectives and experiences that I will apply as a School Board Director. I am an attorney so I have strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
To address funding shortfalls I would closely examine current spending and also examine whether there are revenue streams that are not being fully utilized. Examples may be sponsorships, advertising, and assessment appeals. I also would advocate for a county wide reassessment to address the issue of the common level ratio that is causing property tax revenue to drop substantially. Cyber & charter school funding is also a source of unnecessary expense for school districts as the PA Auditor General recently uncovered in a report on cyber/charter windfalls. Funding for these schools should be based on actual cost of educating the students, not on a ratio that funnels tax dollars from a public school into cyber/charter profits.
I would listen to and value the expertise of teachers and administrators who have the training and experience necessary to select appropriate curriculum and materials. Parents and guardians have options to opt their children out of using or accessing materials to which the specific parent or guardian opposes. I do not support the philosophy that one community member should have the ability to limit resources for every student in our district, against the will of each student’s parent or guardian. Currently, our board majority has disrespected and ignored the expertise of our hired educators and they have implemented an extreme library policy that limits access to ALL resources for ALL children. This is unacceptable.
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Occupation
Manufacturing Executive
Qualifications for office
Leadership Certification, Conflict Mitigation, Lean Certifications, Organization Management,
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Point Park. Studying Masters of Science, Organizational Leadership Johns Hopkins
My connection to public education runs deep, beginning as a young adult when I would volunteer with numerous schools in WPA. Over the years, my dedicated to students and schools has only grown. Today, I proudly partner with more than 10 public schools, including Pine-Richland, where I play an active role in supporting student programs, providing scholarships, offering mentorship, volunteering, and helping to bridge critical gaps between students and real-world career opportunities. My lifelong commitment reflects the passion I hold for empowering young minds in our communities.
I believe it takes a village, that includes addressing shortfalls in funding. Building strong public-private partnerships is a positive way to immediately address funding challenges. Pine-Richland can collaborate with local businesses and employers in the area to run programs that fund specific needs like technology upgrades, extracurricular activities, and student scholarships programs. I know this works because I am an active participant with other schools in our local area. At the same time, I believe district leaders have a role in advocating at the state level for fairer funding. I believe it is a multi-approach to address short and long-term funding needs.
I agree that when addressing any school action, it is essential to balance community with trust in the expertise of teachers and administrators. This starts with open communication and active listening as a school board director. To continue to provide an excellence in academics at Pine-Richland, it is important to recognize the men and women educators that have got us to the successful place where the students/school is today. Their thoughtful approach to instruction is grounded in their dedication for research and best practices. If given the opportunity, as an active listener - I have full confidence that I can collaborate with families and educators to find solutions to concerning issues.
