SCHOOL DIRECTOR PENN-TRAFFORD REGION I
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.
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John Matthew Otto
(Dem, Rep)
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?
Qualifications
I have been a life-long resident of the Penn-Trafford School district. I graduated from Penn-Trafford as did both of my children. I earned a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Edinboro University and a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College.
My only agenda on School Board is to keep Penn-Trafford Schools performing at the highest level possible. Our residents can be proud of the education our children receive at Penn-Trafford and my goal is to see that they continue to receive not only a first class education, but also share a valuable student experience as they progress through their school years.
I will approach those issues openly & honestly, based upon the knowledge that i have and the wisdom that I've obtained in my lifetime. I encourage respectful conversation and the sharing of different perspectives. When challenging decisions need to be made, those decisions will be made based upon the benefit of our children and the educational process.
I am a proponent of the primary fundamentals of education such as the typical "reading, writing and arithmetic's". With that being said, I also believe that our children spend a significant amount of time in school and that time should be spent obtaining social & life skills, developing friendships, and enjoying the educational process, including extra-curricular activities. While all children are exactly the same, many enjoy different activities and those activities should be supported. Arts, athletics, music and other social activities are important factors in the successful development of a child and i plan on fostering those opportunities for them.
As a public school we must foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable with their own views, while also respecting the views of others. Programs that allow those with different views to share them with others and consider different perspectives & experiences in life would be extremely valuable in the learning process. School years are early in our children's lives and we should encourage experiences that broaden their perspectives in order to be as well-rounded and prepared for the vast amount of different perspectives that "life in the real world" provides.
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