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Governor Mifflin School District 4 yr {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

School DirectorSchool directors govern the school district. They set policy, establish curricula, adopt a budget, and determine the tax rate necessary to support it. They select the superintendent and approve appointments of staff. About half the board is elected every at each municipal election. They serve part-time and are not paid for their work.Term: 2 or 4 years.

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    Lazaro Castellon
    (Rep)

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    Caryn Friedlander
    (Dem, Rep)

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    Justin Michael Good
    (Dem, Rep)

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    Ralph B Kabakoff
    (Dem, Rep)

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    Janemarie McKay
    (Dem, Rep)

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    Laurie Miller
    (Dem, Rep)

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    Emily Reppert
    (Dem, Rep)

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    Michele Hill Roby
    (Dem, Rep)

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    Christina Worley
    (Dem, Rep)

Biographical Information

1. What skills, knowledge, and experience do you have to help you be an effective School Director?

2. Why are you running for School Director?

3. What do you see as the top 3 challenges facing School Boards? And how do you think the School Board should respond?

4. Do we need our schools to better prepare students with life skills for young adulthood – cooking, financial literacy, civic engagement, household problem solving, self reliance? And if so, how could the schools accomplish this?

5. What is the place for Emerging Technologies (including AI & Zoom-type) in the classroom?

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Education, Experience BS, Towson University
Qualifications 25+ years as a local business owner, 10 years serving on the GM School Board
GM School Board since 2015 GM Treasurer since 2021 GM Representative to Berks County Career and Technology Center since 2017. Chairperson of BCTC’s JOC since 2021 Local business owner for 25+ years Work collaboratively on various committees at both GM and BCTC that include Finance, Insurance, Negotiations, and HR
While I am very proud of my nearly 10 years of service, there is still work to be done. GM has been able to evolve with our ever-changing society. No two years have been the same while I’ve been on the board. In this rapidly changing world, I believe I offer steady and thoughtful ideas.
How to serve the needs of all students with limited financial resources and growing unfunded mandates. How to address the stressors from society from within the walls of school buildings (mental health, substance abuse, house/food insecurities). How to address the shortage of educators. There is no one right answer. Directors need to understand the realities of students, challenges of their parents, and the concerns about tax dollars.We need to promote education as a career path for students.
School curriculum needs to evolve with the needs of their community. Some students learn these skills at home, while others may need public schools to fill the gap. I believe all schools offer classes to teach these skills if students so choose to take them.
Emerging technologies such as Zoom and AI are tools, just like computers, calculators, and books. If used properly, they can enhance a student’s learning experience. These tools can offer opportunities that traditional tools can’t, but they need to be done thoughtfully and with ethical considerations. Educators, administrators, and school directors should not be fearful of new technology.
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Education, Experience Masters of Science in Human Services, Leadership and Organizational Management.
I have lived in Berks County almost my entire life. I opened a business here in my younger years that was open for over a decade before I sold it. I worked in many different human services organizations ranging from substance abuse rehabilitation to a mental health day program for young adults. I'm passionate about making sure that our children who face challenges are given the resources and opportunities to succeed during their high school years and beyond!
I'm hoping to bring my innovative, entrepreneurial spirit to help to make the school district excel into the future. I also want to provide stability and responsibility to the school so students can have the structure they need to succeed.
The pandemic has increased mental health symptoms, not just in Governor Mifflin, but everywhere. The board should prioritize the resources needed so the students will have the support they need. I want to make sure that parents voice is heard. The school board can provide transparency and communication between the school and the parents. Mifflin test scores are not where I would like them to be. The board should gather data and discuss strategies to improve those scores.
The school should provide life skills for it's students and does this in a lot of ways currently. However, we should continue to look for opportunities to expand these programs and to improve their outcomes.
We must be sure to prepare our youth for the future. Artificial intelligence is an emerging technology that we must prepare them for. We should teach them how to use these tools and ensure that their own creativity and problem solving is not diminished by relying on technology to do the thinking for them. This can be accomplished through responsible education.
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Education, Experience I hold two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Liberal Arts from Penn State University's main Campus. My first BA is in Political Science, and my second is in Journalism/Communications. I also earned a Certificate in Human Resources focusing on Inclusivity from Cornell University.
Qualifications 15+ years in professional development, staffing management & consulting. Expert in training, talent recruitment & workforce readiness. Extensive volunteer experience organizing community events, youth leadership talks & job training, advocating education, health & poverty alleviation.
I bring a broad spectrum of educational and business experience to this role. I have a strong background in learning and development, and I have built relationships with local employers and workforce partners. My experience enables me to craft effective staffing models, foster community partnerships, and innovate within established frameworks. My career blends strong academic principles with practical strategies, ensuring our programs align with educational standards and real-world needs.
I’m running for School Director because stability and innovation are essential in our schools. Amid political uncertainty and budget pressures, I prioritize putting students and teachers first. I will safeguard quality education - including workforce initiatives and hands-on training - while advocating for the resources to create a stable, supportive, and forward-thinking environment for all.
School boards face three main challenges: balancing innovation with stability, making data-driven decisions, and ensuring fiscal responsibility. We must foster economic opportunities while protecting a nurturing learning environment; use comprehensive data - reflecting our unique demographics - to craft targeted strategies; and manage resources wisely, leveraging state and federal programs for long-term success.
Absolutely. Our children need the practical skills that extend well beyond traditional academic subjects. Governor Mifflin School District has already set a strong foundation with on-the-job training programs and real-life work experiences for our students. Expanding these programs will ensure every student gains essential life skills for real-world success.
Emerging technologies, from AI to collaborative platforms like Zoom, are essential tools that support modern learning environments. Our students are digital natives who adapt quickly to new tools that prepare them for a tech-driven world. We must equip educators with tech training, pilot integration efforts, and refine strategies using data to harness their potential. Embracing these tools boosts both engagement and learning outcomes.
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Education, Experience BS in Business Administration
As one of the incumbent school directors, my focus continues to be “what is in the best interests for our students to succeed while keeping costs manageable”. I have been involved with the school district for over 20 years.
There are on-going projects and goals in various stages of planning and development. I am a follow-through person, and would like to see these projects through completion.
Improving reading and math proficiencies is crucial. Administration should be willing to implement curriculum changes to address these deficiencies. Providing a safe school environment. This is a continuing process for staying vigilant to protect against threats. Unfunded mandates. There is no simple way to address this issue.
At Governor Mifflin, electives are available for students to select. Should a student want to pursue a certain pathway, counselors and teachers help provide direction.
AI can be a double-edged sword as it can be both positive and negative. Serious discussion must take place between Administration and School Board on how to best utilize and monitor it.