Change Address

VOTE411 Voter Guide

SCHOOL DIRECTOR AT LARGE HEMPFIELD AREA {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

School Directors are elected on behalf of the community to oversee the education of students in their jurisdiction. They serve as agents of the state legislature. They are responsible for curriculum and instruction management, all finances including development and monitoring of annual budgets and audits, and levying of taxes and issuance of debt obligations when necessary; overseeing personnel; legal matters; management of facilities; and transportation of students as appropriate.

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

  • Candidate picture

    Daniel Graft
    (Dem, Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Scott E. Learn
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Jerry Radebaugh
    (Dem, Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Lindsay Stevens
    (Dem, Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Cory Thoma
    (Dem, Rep)

Biographical Information

Why are you running for the School Board?

How will you approach decisions on controversial issues when community members have conflicting views about the actions the School Board should take?

In what order would you, as a potential school board member, place the following priorities for your district: athletics, core academic programming, extracurricular opportunities (music, art, clubs, etc.), facilities maintenance/expansion, and technology development? Please explain.

What policies or programs do you advocate that would foster a school atmosphere where everyone feels physically, emotionally, and intellectually safe?

{_btnLabelFor(compare1, _isInSelection(compare1))}
{_btnLabelFor(compare2, _isInSelection(compare2))}
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Campaign Phone ‪(724) 292-4215‬
Campaign Email corythomaforschoolboard@gmail.com
Qualifications PhD. From University of Pittsburgh, Adjunct Faculty Washington & Jefferson College
The Hempfield Area School district is headed into some tough headwinds with teacher retirements and the high school project that is falling behind. I feel that I can make positive contributions to the district through my educational and data-driven background to help us handle the growth of the district as well as the changing landscape of the area. In addition to community changes, I want to work at ensuring that the district remains strong within its commitment to help the students with the most need for support and assistance both academically and behaviorally.
Part of being a good representative of the community is to listen to the opinions of people from all walks of life. A school director should remain as non-partisan as possible and make decisions that benefit the students, the teachers, and the taxpayers of the district. I come from a technical background with a good sense of statistics and science, while also spending time getting to know people and their needs as a member of the New Stanton Borough council and the Stanwood Parent Teacher Organization. I can use this background to weigh the opinions against the facts to make informed decisions that put students and their education as the highest priority.
A simple ordering: Academics, Extracurriculars, Technology, Athletics, Expansion. As an academic myself, I will always put the ability to teach and be taught as my highest priorities. Many students will grow up and remain in the area to build careers and families. Their success is also our success! Extracurricular activities can be vital to the growth and development of many students as it allows them a safe space to express themselves and to make life-long friendships. I believe we should invest in this area. As a software engineer, I am always looking to add technology where I can, and can bring a lot of experience in this regard. As a father of two dancers, athletics plays an important role in our house, as it does for many!
There are several programs and policies that I feel provide such atmospheres. I would like to see the continued growth of the IEP program to help students who are in need of further stimulation or are in need of additional learning support. This allows for these students to feel intellectually safe and grow as individuals. I would promote programs that strive for inclusion for all students from all walks of life. I would further advocate for programs that highlight the adverse effects of bullying as an educational tool.
Powered by League of Women Voters Education Fund