Age
62
Current Job
Retired
Township or Borough of Residence
West Lampeter
Qualifications
Retired educational administrator for 32 years in Public Education
I will work to encourage open and transparent dialogue among all of the board members and the stakeholders in the L-S educational community. It will be important to ensure that all voices and perspectives, are listened to and considered in the decision-making process regarding the education of the students in the L-S district. A nine-member board will likely have some different views, and it will be critical to listen and respect them when working through making decisions for the education of the students. It will be important to me to consistently maintain a level of professional discussion and decorum as we work to strengthen and enhance the learning experiences for the students.
As a candidate for the L-S School Board, it will be important for me to prioritize the educational needs of the students. The role of educating our youngest generations is critical to the success of our local, state, and national outcomes and growth as we get them ready for the demands of career expectations. I will make sure that their classrooms are equipped with the right materials, books and supplies that support teachers to create innovative learning experiences. The students in the district should always be the focus when determining the impact of the decisions, both academic and budgetary, that are being made by the school board directors.
These needs should emanate from the students, parents, teachers and administrators to the school board for better understanding, support and decision-making. This knowledge can be utilized to provide the resources and financial support that will guide and support the fostering of an equalized access for all students to receive their learning experiences. Collaboration and quality communication among all of these stakeholders should ensure that the needs are being addressed as they are presented or are realized to play a critical role in the success of the students.
The district has recently completed and is in the process of significant building and renovation projects across the L-S campus. The ten-year history of the board's fiscal responsibility has demonstrated its ability to keep the millage increases below the Act 1 index and typically in the mid-range of the sixteen districts in Lancaster County. The district has set a standard of maintaining a low millage increase that may be challenging as they continue to complete additional renovations based on the recent feasibility study. The facility changes are and will be impactful for the education of the students; however, future discussions will need to focus on the infrastructure resources for the changes to these learning environments.
Age
44
Current Job
Structural Engineering Consultant
Township or Borough of Residence
West Lampeter Township
Qualifications
I'm a parent of district students. I've consistently attended school board, workshop, and committee meetings and have a vested interest in ensuring our district maintains a strong educational reputation. I have 20 years working on and chairing professional committees. My career in structural engineering brings construction and campus planning insights at a time of costly renovation needs.
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In recent years, the L-S school board has engaged in minimal dialogue about the topics it's tasked with approving. While conversations mainly take place during committee, they're brief and questions are few. I want to explore avenues for improvement whether it's over educational enhancement, campus improvements, or financial savings opportunities. I hope to foster more dialogue and encourage other board members to bring similar energy.
I also sense there is hesitation from district families to comment about concerns that haven't been met through other channels. I would always welcome public comments and, where appropriate,
engage beyond merely listening. A school board can remain united while discussing varied perspectives and ideas.
The educational opportunities of students is my first priority. Public school students seek a variety of paths after graduation (trade schools, universities, direct to employment, etc.) and it's incumbent on the district to ensure that students have every window of opportunity. The district should provide an environment where teachers and staff feel supported and can focus on working with students on an individual level. Lampeter-Strasburg School District is the crown jewel of our community, affecting home values. In this way, maintaining a strong reputation helps all residents in the community.
The new or proposed policies roiling nearby districts seem unnecessary, at best. Policies are "starting points" that allow administrators the flexibility to do right by the district and students with the context of each issue. Authorship of policies that are "end points" bypasses the professional leadership and skill of district administration and staff to address the needs of students, both individually and collectively. I believe the school board should focus on broad district performance goals and common learning-related issues faced by students and staff.
L-S has approved a collective bargaining agreement that provides average annual wage and benefit increases of 3.5% for teachers, while annual inflation rates have averaged 2.5%. Over the past 13 years, the average annual increase in the L-S millage rate has been 1.5%. Adjusted for inflation, the current millage rate stands at 88% of its 2012 level. During this period, the district benefited from grant funding, unexpected state funding, and strong investment returns, which helped offset potential budget deficits. While I'm cautious about increasing taxes, I'd prefer to ensure the district remains adequately funded and resilient against unpredictable factors.
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