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Reading 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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    Paige M Brookins
    (Dem)

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    Robin Costenbader-Jacobson
    (Dem)

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    Migdalia P Garcia
    (Dem)

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    Janice Grant
    (Dem, Rep)

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    no candidate
    (Rep)

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    M Emilia Portes
    (Dem)

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    Yajaira Stone
    (Dem)

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    Jonathan Tinoco
    (Dem)

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    Patricia Wright
    (Dem)

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 Bachelor of Science in Management and Finance, Masters Business Administration, Ph.D. in Community Leadership
Qualifications Incumbent Seeking Re-election, 18+ years Director of youth drug prevention program, 17+ years work experience in Higher Education, Community Advocate & Change Agent
I am currently serving on the school board for a 4 year term. I have leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills, which make me an effective School Director.
To continue impacting our students and the community at large.
Financial Resources, Teacher Shortage, Collaboration. The board must be transparent, professional and lead with integrity as decisions are made that impact the local education system.
Yes, incorporate life skills for young adulthoods into the curriculum,
Emergent Technologies should compliment the in-class teaching and course work to overall enhance the educational experience for the students.
Education, Experience Bachelor of Arts Political Science/Bachelor of Arts Psychology– Albright College, Coach Training Alliance- Certified Coach, Reading-Muhlenberg Career Technology- Licensed Practical Nurse, RC-J Consulting Associates, LLC- Principal, BTI- Adjunct Faculty, Junior Achievement of Greater Reading & Lehigh Valley– President & CEO, Department of Revenue, Pennsylvania Lottery– Deputy Executive Director, St. Joseph Medical Center– Laboratory Marketing Manager, Fairgrounds Square Mall – Marketing Director
Qualifications Robin Costenbader-Jacobson is one of the most courageous and passionate leaders I have been associated with. She is clearly an advocate driven to uphold the mission and continued growth of the organization the people being served and the employees. A tireless force for connecting others, organizations and the community to possibilities beyond their expectations, - Robert Wummer, Vice President, Innovation Services
Having served eight years on the Reading School Board, I am a graduate of Reading High and Albright College, a Nurse, an experienced business owner and leader, a CEO of Junior Achievement “Teaching Kids How Business Works”, a Certified Professional Business/Life Coach, a Conflict Resolution Mediator, an adjunct instructor at College Level Technical and Business Colleges for 35 years, my life’s work is to encourage individuals to reach their full professional and personal potential and goals.
Good education is the foundation of existence and success and it must be available to every child. I’m Tried & True. Previously serving as a School Director for eight years. I served five as President/VP. I want to provide strong management of the District by supporting the Superintendent, setting clear goals in cooperation with the Administration, and ensuring the employment of qualified, outstanding educators and dedicated staff as society maneuvers through difficult government changes ahead.
1. Government - Preparing for changes in funding and mandated policies at the Federal level and the effects on public education, ultimately impacting the education of students. 2. Financial challenges - Currently funding is stable, but the element of “walking a tightrope” presents the question of sustaining consistency in needed staffing, programming and construction. 3. Transparency - it's vital Boards and Administrations create open communication and clarity in partnership with each other.
The District is aligned with a multitude of Parents, Community Partners and After-School Clubs/Programs in educating students to be prepared with and in life skills. Financial Literacy starts in Middle School. VISIONS Credit Union is on-site in Reading High and a Financial Literacy component is mandated for all students. Civic Engagement is taught in Social Studies. Schools are challenged by mandated certifications for educators to teach some aspects of skills, and the limited time in the day.
Tech Enhanced Classrooms provide tools for broader learning. RSD has Synchronous & Asynchronous, Linear learning & Collaborative Learning educational technologies utilizing interactive games to reinforce: math, spelling, phonetics & reading skills. Technologies like AI, machine learning(ML), natural language processing(NLP), speech recognition, robotics, the internet of things(IoT) & virtual augmented reality are all necessary. Reading High STEM Academy is opening 2026-27 teaching technology.
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Education, Experience High school graduate class of 2018, currently getting my associates at Reading Area Community College
Qualifications Previous youth program coordinator at RPL Northwest Branch Library, previous teen librarian at Reading Public Library - Main Branch and current Youth Engagement Coordinator at Centro Hispano
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Website http://Instagram - frontporchviewrdg
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As the previous teen librarian at Reading Public Library and currently the Youth Engagement Coordinator at Centro Hispano, I have firsthand experience with the needs of our students and parents. I've managed a budget, engaged teens in various programs, and created a safe space for youth and their families.
Because I believe our students deserve the best opportunities, a safe environment and to love the city they come from. I know that if we invest in our youth, we’re investing in the future of our city and the amazing endless possibilities they will achieve when we’re gone. By running for school board I hope to be the voice for the kids who can’t find theirs because they helped me find mine, and I hope to encourage them to get involved with their community that needs them.
1. Teacher Shortages: Collaborate with local real estate agencies to create incentives like discounted homes to improve teacher recruitment and retention.

2. Special Education Resources: Effectively implement IEPs by providing dedicated collaboration time for teachers and data systems to track progress and identify needs.

3. Reinstate 5th Grade in Elementary: Conduct a Feasibility study, pilot run in one school and evalute outcomes, then expand if successful.
Absolutely. I invested in Reading at 19 when I bought my first home in the Historic District. Nothing prepared me for budgeting a mortgage or fixing anything. Our kids deserve to strive in our society, which already doubts them just because of the city they're from. I believe that by working with local businesses and organizations, we can fund these programs, create clear career pathways, and even offer internships for our students.
I believe that IF we are to incorpate AI in the classroom, it needs to be used effectively. Not writing an essay for a student, but creating templates, structures for projects etc. I don’t believe students should be dependent on AI in the classroon.
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