Candidates for Phoenixville Area School District School Board 2023
Updated April 2023
Phoenixville Community Education Foundation’s mission is linked to the mission of the Phoenixville Area School District. We believe that an informed and engaged community is vital to the success of our schools. So as we have done in the past, PCEF invited all candidates for the 2023 school board elections to provide information about themselves and their candidacy. We are sharing this information with our supporters to help them make informed decisions on election day.
All candidates’ answers, verbatim, are posted on our website here and will be linked through our social media channels and in an email newsletter to our mailing list of subscribers.
Our goal is to encourage voters to educate themselves and make an informed choice in the election. May 16th is a primary election – not all candidates appear on all ballots; we recommend you research which candidate will be on the ballot of the party you are registered with. Helpful links:
PCEF is nonpartisan and will offer no opinion on candidates.
Municipality of residence (Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill Twp or East Pikeland Twp)
East Pikeland
Please list your education and professional background and local volunteer experience
BS – Communication Studies, West Chester University of PA
MS- Counselor Education, West Chester University
Ed.D – Higher Education Leadership & Administration, Widener University
Phoenixville Public Library Volunteer and previous Board member
Phoenixville Health Foundation, previous member of the Diversity Taskforce
Board of Directors for PASD
March of Dimes volunteer
Member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated – ongoing service to community in various forms.
What is your relationship to PASD? For example, do you / have you had children or family members in PASD schools?
I am a proud product of PASD, and currently have a 3rd grader at Manavon Elementary. My mom served the district at PAMS as a paraprofessional. I was most recently appointed to the PASD Board post a vacancy.
My family has lived in East Pikeland for 38 years and have been advocates for education and equity throughout that time.
Please disclose any potential conflict of interest, for example, do you have a business or professional relationship with PASD? Do you have any family members or people living in your household who are employed by the district?
no
What motivated you to run for school board?
I believe that our Board should be a representation of our community. The educational and nationwide landscape has been changing drastically over the last few years. I believe that I can positively contribute and bring insight into varying issues that the Board has to decide on. My main goal is to ensure that our students, employees, community members are given the tools/resources they need to thrive and progressively move our district forward in a way that is sustainable.
One of the school board’s responsibilities is setting policy for the district. Are there current policies that you believe should be changed, or are there policies that should be added?
I believe that all of the policies should be reviewed through an equity lens. A full audit of policies and procedures would be helpful to ensure we are equitable, and fair across all polices.
Please list your three top priorities for the school board, if elected.
– Hares Hill Project
– Full Policy review/audit
– Curriculum & Classroom practice Review- inclusive classroom practices, pedagogy etc..
Where can voters go to learn more about your candidacy? (Website, social media handles, etc)
Platforms will be developed in the near future.
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
I want to ensure that our community members know that they truly do belong here and we are working to ensure that we are making decisions to best serve our community members.
Municipality of residence (Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill Twp or East Pikeland Twp)
East Pikeland
Please list your education and professional background and local volunteer experience
I graduated from West Chester University in 1992 with a BA in Geography and Planning. After college, I was accepted and attended Helicopter Flight Training in the US Army. I was honorably discharged from the Army in 2000 and was an EMS Pilot at Keystone Helicopters on the Lehigh Valley Hospital contract. After flying I moved into the environmental field and have worked as a Project Manager. I have been employed by Lewis Environmental, Inc. as the Senior Project Manager for 10 years. I am a member of and volunteer with Disabled American Veterans Chapter 25 where I filled the role of Adjutant for 4 years.
What is your relationship to PASD? For example, do you / have you had children or family members in PASD schools?
I have three adult children who all graduated from Phoenixville High School.
Please disclose any potential conflict of interest, for example, do you have a business or professional relationship with PASD? Do you have any family members or people living in your household who are employed by the district?
My wife is employed as a Special Education Aid in the Phoenixville School District.
What motivated you to run for school board?
I would like to be a larger part of the community. The School Board provides oversight of the schools and provides a clear path of communication between the parents, students, and schools.
One of the school board’s responsibilities is setting policy for the district. Are there current policies that you believe should be changed, or are there policies that should be added?
Policy 907AR – School Visitors – This policy was adopted in 2020 and with the frequency that security requirements change my feeling is that these policies need to be reviewed more frequently.
Please list your three top priorities for the school board, if elected.
Transparent Fiscal Responsibility.
School Safety and Security.
Focus on Education that is age appropriate.
Where can voters go to learn more about your candidacy? (Website, social media handles, etc)
www.princedenson.com – email: prince@princedenson.com
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
I am a dedicated community member who believes honesty is the best policy.
Declined to participate
Municipality of residence (Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill Twp or East Pikeland Twp)
Phoenixville
Please list your education and professional background and local volunteer experience
I have worked in leadership positions in the children’s non-profit mental health field for over 25 years. I am currently the Executive Director at Barnstone Art for Kids; a Phoenixville non-profit that provides trauma-informed art programs to kids who have experienced adversity. I hold a Masters degree in Art Psychotherapy (Hahnemann U.), and a Ph.D. in School Psychology (Temple U.). I have previously served on Phoenixville’s Tree Advisory Commission for several years, and have volunteered with a number of local non-profits. I believe that as a member of a community we must be actively involved in efforts to improve the lives of all community members.
What is your relationship to PASD? For example, do you / have you had children or family members in PASD schools?
I am the father of 4 PASD alumni, all successful adults now. My work at Barnstone Art for Kids predominantly serves children from PASD, and I am routinely involved with the district, and in the schools.
Please disclose any potential conflict of interest, for example, do you have a business or professional relationship with PASD? Do you have any family members or people living in your household who are employed by the district?
No conflict exists.
What motivated you to run for school board?
School Boards across our country have recently been threatened by efforts to restrict support to diverse populations and instituting draconian policies regarding book banning and elimination of certain parts of curriculum. These regressive moves, ostensibly under the guise of “keeping students safe” have shown that they are divisive, often racist, and ultimately harmful to minority or diverse school populations. While I understand and appreciate the myriad responsibilities and issues to be considered as a School Director, the protection of students and restoration of trust between home and school was a primary motivator for my candidacy.
One of the school board’s responsibilities is setting policy for the district. Are there current policies that you believe should be changed, or are there policies that should be added?
As the PASD Board has several high priority discussions ongoing, I believe that my role as an incoming School Director is to thoroughly understand all of the variables impacting decisions. To that end, I am particularly interested in the review and updating of the student use of technology policy, the occupational tax policy, and the overall inclusion of community voices when discussing any policy changes or additions. I am a firm believer in open communication, and believe the Board needs to be engaging our constituents when addressing policy changes.
Please list your three top priorities for the school board, if elected.
1. Conducting a thorough review of all the current issues facing the Board: redistricting, the new school building, etc.
2. Decision making based in best practices as outlined by educational and mental health professionals.
3. Ensuring public transparency in all School Board decisions and communications.
Where can voters go to learn more about your candidacy? (Website, social media handles, etc)
Please visit my Facebook page: Sean Halloran, Candidate for PASD School Board
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
In the spirit of open communication, I am available for questions submitted via my email: sean.halloran68@gmail.com
Municipality of residence (Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill Twp or East Pikeland Twp)
Phoenixville
Please list your education and professional background and local volunteer experience
BA Accounting, CFO Habitat for Humanity, PSBA Property Tax Reform Task Force, Biden Public Education Policy Committee
What is your relationship to PASD? For example, do you / have you had children or family members in PASD schools?
My daughter is PAHS graduate and I am former board member
Please disclose any potential conflict of interest, for example, do you have a business or professional relationship with PASD? Do you have any family members or people living in your household who are employed by the district?
N/A
What motivated you to run for school board?
I am motivated by the belief that public education is so important for our children and our community and want to help make our schools the best they can be.
One of the school board’s responsibilities is setting policy for the district. Are there current policies that you believe should be changed, or are there policies that should be added?
I’d like to have a policy to allow taxpayers to volunteer and receive a credit toward property taxes. We also need to have a policy regarding outsourcing and wages. And I believe we need to have a policy regarding breakfast and lunch options for our students and making sure they have enough time outside, including Middle and High School.
Please list your three top priorities for the school board, if elected.
1. Budget
2. Oversight
3. Community engagement
Where can voters go to learn more about your candidacy? (Website, social media handles, etc)
Lisa Longo, Consulting and Strategy on Facebook
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
Municipality of residence (Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill Twp or East Pikeland Twp)
Phoenixville Borough
Please list your education and professional background and local volunteer experience
BA/BS Emerson College. Professional Graphic Designer, Photographer, and Illustrator.
What is your relationship to PASD? For example, do you / have you had children or family members in PASD schools?
My son went through the PASD and graduated from HS in 2022. I have no other children.
Please disclose any potential conflict of interest, for example, do you have a business or professional relationship with PASD? Do you have any family members or people living in your household who are employed by the district?
None
What motivated you to run for school board?
After working closely with my son’s education team, and feeling like they were good partners I decided that after his graduation that I would try and give back to the school system that did so much for my family. I feel that I have a unique perspective, and want to further PASD efforts to become a more equitable and welcoming place to be.
One of the school board’s responsibilities is setting policy for the district. Are there current policies that you believe should be changed, or are there policies that should be added?
I would advocate for a reevaluation of district zoning 2 or 3 years after the new zoning currently being drawn up to accommodate the new elementary school. This will help ensure that decisions made are actually working and take into consideration how the Community feels the new zoning is working.
Please list your three top priorities for the school board, if elected.
New Superintendent, evaluation and approvals of the new elementary school design, per capita tax.
Where can voters go to learn more about your candidacy? (Website, social media handles, etc)
Feel free to email me at gpforschoolboard@gmail.com
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
I am a compassionate and level headed decision maker. I feel I can dialog with anyone.
Municipality of residence (Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill Twp or East Pikeland Twp)
Phoenixville Borough
Please list your education and professional background and local volunteer experience
I am into my 10th year of service on the School Board – only candidate to serve that long; only candidate to serve on all standing Board Committees; only candidate to chair all committees but one; only candidate to serve as Vice-President; only candidate to have hired a Superintendent; only candidate to have taken part in building two school buildings; only candidate to have an institutional history of the Board’s dealings; only candidate to have participated in negotiating 4 employee contracts. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Education Degree. I have taught on the college level as well as the Junior High school level where I was the Department Chair. I was the co-owner and the co-founder of Schuylkill Valley Sports ; Customer Service Representative for TenPro Corporation; Vice-President of Production at Times and Seasons; Attendance Clerk at Phoenixville Area High School. Professionally, I have been in the position of management and in a union, so I can see both sides. I have lived in the community for 54 years and have coached both regular season and All-Star girls’ softball at PYBRL for 15 years. I have served in many leadership positions in my church, including being Relief Society President, who was in charge of the temporal and spiritual welfare of over 300 women. I have served on the Library Board and am presently the Board liaison to the PCEF.
What is your relationship to PASD? For example, do you / have you had children or family members in PASD schools?
All of my children attended district schools and graduated from Phoenxiville Area High School. Four grandchildren are now attending three schools in the District.
Please disclose any potential conflict of interest, for example, do you have a business or professional relationship with PASD? Do you have any family members or people living in your household who are employed by the district?
No conflict of interest
What motivated you to run for school board?
The first time that I ran, I did so because I was employed in the High School and had seen things occurring that I did not like. After I had retired, I decided that instead of complaining, I would try to do something about it. Also, one of my grandchildren was starting school and I wanted to make sure that he got the best education that he could. After serving for eight years, I was experiencing some health and family issues that needed attention and I knew that I would not be able to devote the time that was necessary to the Board, so I retired. A year and a half ago, a Board member resigned and I saw the opportunity to serve again. At the time, the Board members’ average experience on the Board was a little more than two years. I felt that I could fill in a lot of the blanks as to what we, as a Board, had done before and why. I felt that I could make a positive contribution.
One of the school board’s responsibilities is setting policy for the district. Are there current policies that you believe should be changed, or are there policies that should be added?
I think that we as a Board do a good job of reviewing and amending, if necessary, current policies. One policy that I think needs to be reviewed is how real estate sales should be conducted. Another is the policy on Memorials, which I think has taken too long to institute.
Please list your three top priorities for the school board, if elected.
1. Hiring a new Superintendent
2. Building a new school
3. Recovery of educational loss due to COVID
Where can voters go to learn more about your candidacy? (Website, social media handles, etc)
FaceBook and Social Media
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
I am a hardworking, honest individual. I am an advocate for public education. As a fiscal conservative, I have tried to keep spending within reasonable limits, keeping in mind the possible financial limitations of retired citizens.
Municipality of residence (Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill Twp or East Pikeland Twp)
I am a life-long Schuylkill Township resident.
Please list your education and professional background and local volunteer experience
I received a BA in Art History with minors in Math and Physics from Case Western Reserve University. Now, I am a pet care professional and local business owner. I started my dog walking and pet sitting business, Bryn and Friends Pet Care LLC, in early 2017. In addition, I am the newsletter editor for and serve on the board of directors of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Orchid Society, which meets monthly at the First United Methodist Church in Phoenixville to discuss conservation and hobby horticulture.
What is your relationship to PASD? For example, do you / have you had children or family members in PASD schools?
My relationship to PASD is simply that I am an active and engaged citizen who believes our schools are one of the most important pillars of our community. I regularly attend school board meetings and strive to stay informed on important district issues.
Please disclose any potential conflict of interest, for example, do you have a business or professional relationship with PASD? Do you have any family members or people living in your household who are employed by the district?
None.
What motivated you to run for school board?
I am running for school board because I have a passion for education and know that my business experience and solution-oriented attitude will bring a valuable perspective to the board. With a strong background in both cultural and STEM studies, I understand the value of a well rounded education and believe that the purpose of the school board is first and foremost to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students. To me, this means that the primary goal of our schools should be to enable students to become upstanding and successful members of our community, while always recognizing that “success” can look like many different things.
One of the school board’s responsibilities is setting policy for the district. Are there current policies that you believe should be changed, or are there policies that should be added?
I am very pleased to see the current board working with administration to improve the current electronic devices policy (Policy 237) and its implementation. Of course the use of electronic devices is simply a fact of life in our modern society, but it also has a direct impact on the mental and social health of our students, so it is an issue that we must constantly revisit and improve upon.
Please list your three top priorities for the school board, if elected.
I believe that the school board must always put students first in its decisions, so my first priority will be academics and ensuring that students have all the resources and support that they need to succeed. Our district must always strive for academic excellence and seek to implement the best and most effective curriculum and teaching practices possible to help our students learn.
My next priority will be fiscal responsibility. The board has a duty to ensure that the tax payers’ money is being used effectively and responsibly. Especially given the recent court decision and potential upcoming changes to PA school funding practices, it is more important than ever that the district seek all possible grants and state and federal funding to ensure that we aren’t further burdening families with constant or excessive tax increases.
Additionally, a third priority will be community engagement. I believe the board must foster open dialog and constantly consider different perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas, but that there is definitely room to make the current communication practices and policies more effective and transparent.
Where can voters go to learn more about your candidacy? (Website, social media handles, etc)
https://www.facebook.com/emily4pasd/ OR contact me at emily4pasd@gmail.com
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
Municipality of residence (Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill Twp or East Pikeland Twp)
East Pikeland Twp
Please list your education and professional background and local volunteer experience
High School Graduate of Methacton SD. BSBA in Marketing at Kutztown University or Pennsylvania. 13 years at Walgreens as a Store Manager for locations in Chester and Montgomery Counties. 6 years as a Realtor for RE/MAX Achievers in Collegeville. Volunteer U7 Coach at West-Mont United. Frequent Volunteer for the Phoenixville Early Learning Center.
What is your relationship to PASD? For example, do you / have you had children or family members in PASD schools?
I have two children enrolled in PASD.
Please disclose any potential conflict of interest, for example, do you have a business or professional relationship with PASD? Do you have any family members or people living in your household who are employed by the district?
I do not have any business relationship with the district. I do not have any family members in my household who are employed by the district.
What motivated you to run for school board?
During my 10 years living in Phoenixville, I have enjoyed seeing our great town continue to grow and thrive. With both of my sons now enrolled in PASD schools, I have an increased desire to get involved in our community and ensure that every child in our district is able to receive an outstanding education. I also want to ensure that constituents who may not have child(ren) currently enrolled in our schools also have their voices heard on important issues outside of the classroom, such as property taxes.
One of the school board’s responsibilities is setting policy for the district. Are there current policies that you believe should be changed, or are there policies that should be added?
Setting policy is such an important responsibility of the board. I believe that the following areas are ones that may require policy updates:
The district’s approach to remote learning: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools had to quickly adapt to remote learning, and policies were put in place to manage the transition. As our schools have fully returned to in-person learning, I think it would be useful to review these policies to ensure that they reflect the lessons learned during the pandemic and are suitable for future emergency situations that may require remote learning.
Student safety: School safety policies are constantly evolving as new risks emerge, such as cyberbullying. Our current technology policy has been questioned by parents at board meetings for this exact reason. I believe it would be useful to review the district’s safety policies to ensure that they are up-to-date and comprehensive.
Student discipline: Many school districts have been re-evaluating their disciplinary policies in recent years, as research has shown that certain approaches, such as zero-tolerance policies, can have negative consequences. I think that the district should review its disciplinary policies to ensure that they are fair, equitable, and effective in promoting positive behavior.
Please list your three top priorities for the school board, if elected.
Improving communication tools: While our current school board keeps the community informed of important decisions that are on the table, I think the board could improve in the communication tools that are being utilized to collect community feedback. While I’m sure many families in the district would love to provide their thoughts on numerous district issues, the reality is that in our ever-busy lives, it can be difficult to find the time to attend a lengthy in-person or Zoom meeting—especially on a school night. Most recently, I’ve seen this unfortunate lack of participation in meetings regarding the redistricting and new elementary school in East Pikeland Township. With an important decision such as where our children will be attending school in the upcoming years, there needs to be a better plan to meet people where they are and allow their voices to be heard in a more streamlined process.
Effective use of taxpayer dollars: Our board has a fiduciary responsibility to parents, and students, and the community. I believe that it should be a priority of the board to ensure that we are being good stewards of every tax dollar and consistently reevaluating if we are “”getting the most bang for our buck.”” With the added expenditure of a new elementary school in the books, I plan to work with our financial advisors to make sure we are using every dollar effectively while still providing necessary resources for students and a competitive pay structure to attract quality teachers.
Getting students back on track post-COVID: While the pandemic may be officially over, many families are still dealing with the ripple effect that stemmed from it. I believe it is important to provide the necessary support that students need to get back on par for their grade level. While some children have bounced back well, there are many other children who are in need of additional assistance, and I aim to help them and help our district’s graduation rates steadily increase once again.
Where can voters go to learn more about your candidacy? (Website, social media handles, etc)
https://www.facebook.com/KurtSisoforPASD
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
School board members play an important role in shaping the direction of the school district and making decisions that directly affect the education and well-being of students. When considering a candidate like myself for school board, I encourage all voters to look for: Relevant experience: I spent 13+ years working as a store manager for a large retailer, and have experience analyzing budgets and key metric reports, as well as developing an effective team. I currently serve as a Realtor and regularly utilize negotiating, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. Along with being an active parent in our schools, I believe my previous work experience would allow me to serve as an effective school board director for PASD. Commitment to student success: The primary focus of any school board member should be on improving the educational experience and outcomes for all students in the district. With my own two children enrolled in PASD, this is an area that is truly near and dear to my heart. Strong communication skills: As a former retail manager and Realtor, effective communication skills are essential to getting the job done. As an active participant in school board meetings, the same is true. I frequently speak to the current board members, superintendent, and parents, and am always open to listening to all points of view and giving everyone the opportunity to have their voice heard. I have a clear vision for the future of the district, and am committed to making a positive impact on the lives of all PASD students. Strong Students. Strong Schools. Strong Community. Kurt Siso for PASD School Board.
Municipality of residence (Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill Twp or East Pikeland Twp)
Schuylkill
Please list your education and professional background and local volunteer experience
I graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice) from Temple University and I am currently working toward my Master of Science in Human Resource Management. I have been employed with the same company, Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. (TPD – www.trafficpd.com) since 1999 and have worked in the Human Resources capacity for them for the past 20 years which led me to my current role of heading up the Human Resources Department. Since 2019, I have also served in a voluntary role as the HR Consultant/Personnel Board Member for the Phoenixville Senior Center.
What is your relationship to PASD? For example, do you / have you had children or family members in PASD schools?
I have lived in Schuylkill since 2015 and currently have 2 daughters in the district – one at PAELC and one at Schuylkill.
Please disclose any potential conflict of interest, for example, do you have a business or professional relationship with PASD? Do you have any family members or people living in your household who are employed by the district?
I have no conflicts.
What motivated you to run for school board?
I am seeking more transparency from the district with improved communication between board members, parents, teachers, as well as the community as a whole. Another motivation is ensuring fiscal responsibility through developing a budget that is both effective and efficient. Also, considering my work with an engineering company all these years, I would love to find ways to incorporate more STEM related education to students as I know firsthand that there is a shortage of engineers in the workforce. We could accomplish this through possibly partnering with local engineering firms to gain interest among students and future engineers.
One of the school board’s responsibilities is setting policy for the district. Are there current policies that you believe should be changed, or are there policies that should be added?
With my experience in policy and procedure development in my career, this is an area where I feel I could provide great assistance in improvements in these areas where needed – figuring out what has been working, what hasn’t been working, and collaborating with all stakeholders to better the overall experience and education for the students. I would like to review the many policies and procedures specifically in regard to device usage in classrooms, specifically with instruction, student and staff safety, and mental health resources/procedures including the screening methods for students to ensure that those that need assistance are getting it.
Please list your three top priorities for the school board, if elected.
Creating a more transparent and engaging communication between board members, teachers, and parents as well as the entire Phoenixville community. Second, mental health is a huge concern these days among young people so creating a safe space in schools while, again, working with parents to ensure that kids are getting the help and support that they need. Third, fiscal responsibility is also extremely important as we need to ensure that money is being spent in the smartest ways through teacher salaries and the best programs that bring students the most effective and complete education.
Where can voters go to learn more about your candidacy? (Website, social media handles, etc)
I have a Facebook page – Megan Valencia for PASD School Board
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
I would love to hear from parents and teachers to learn about their thoughts on how we can improve but also what is working. We all have different ideas of what PASD needs and having that open conversation will be helpful. Communication is extremely important, and transparency is imperative for building trust.
Municipality of residence (Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill Twp or East Pikeland Twp)
Schuylkill Township
Please list your education and professional background and local volunteer experience
I’ve earned a BS and MBA from Villanova University and have spent the past 25 years in the private sector in a variety of leadership and individual contributor roles, with a heavy focus on business development, project management, and contract negotiation. I currently work for Google in the Cloud division on a team that supports large deal capture efforts, focused primarily on structuring commercial agreements and negotiating the final contracts.
I am passionate about civic engagement and currently serve as Treasurer on the Board of Ann’s Heart, having been a team member for six years. Ann Heart’s mission is to provide a place of welcome and human services for all Phoenixville Area people. It’s a community source of pride as a non-profit that operates a variety of programs from the old Sacred Heart school campus downtown. One program is Code Blue, an overnight warming shelter helping the community’s homeless population. Other programs include serving the community’s food insecure population from an industrial sized kitchen that hosts regular meals, and also to provide space for other local nonprofits to operate.
As a committed and passionate supporter of youth sports, I currently coach teams in our wonderful PMYC and Phuture Phantoms programs.
In the past, I enjoyed serving as a tutor with the Volunteer English Program of Chester County, teaching English as a second language to recently immigrated Spanish-speaking members of our community.”
What is your relationship to PASD? For example, do you / have you had children or family members in PASD schools?
My wife Christina and I have lived in Phoenixville for the past 16 years with our three children, Kaitlyn (21), Michael (15), and John (11), all students in the District; Kaitlyn is a proud graduate of PAHS class of 2020 and is a junior at Penn State, Michael is a freshman and two sport athlete at the HS, and John is in 5th grade at Schuylkill Elementary, ready for the challenge of Middle School next year.
Please disclose any potential conflict of interest, for example, do you have a business or professional relationship with PASD? Do you have any family members or people living in your household who are employed by the district?
No conflict of interest or family members employed by the district
What motivated you to run for school board?
Participating on the School Board can be a great way to serve the community while helping positively impact our childrens’ expanding educational and extracurricular needs. My interest in joining the Board is rooted in taking the opportunity to help influence and enhance the educational experience for Phoenixville students. I am grateful for the experience I have accumulated serving on a high-functioning local Board, and combined with my current professional capacity as a contract negotiator, I am confident I can serve as a member who can drive positive outcomes by virtue of collaboration and effective communications between the Board and its stakeholders. I can offer a unique perspective as a parent of three students across a wide age range, while bringing a diverse skill set and the pragmatic approach needed to add value to the District as a School Board member.
One of the school board’s responsibilities is setting policy for the district. Are there current policies that you believe should be changed, or are there policies that should be added?
I am eager to have the opportunity to learn more about specific drivers and data points behind policy matters, as these learnings will inform my ability to assess those that might benefit from modification. As a parent in the school district today, I would like to better understand the policies surrounding the use and access of technology in each school; I am specifically interested in cell phone usage rules and regulations. The proliferation of cell phone use in the classroom seems to have amplified in recent years, and from my perspective is negatively impacting the students’ learning experience. It is unclear to me if this is a policy gap, or an enforcement issue, but it is one issue I would like to see further addressed.
Another example would be to better understand the rationale for not allowing students to bring their work product (ie, tests, quizzes, etc) home immediately after grading for review with parents. These are two policies where I have seen the arc shift over the years.
I would also like to see continued strategic investments in district facilities, aspiring to include a renovation of the High School, as well as targeted improvements to our students’ extracurricular and athletic experience, aimed at increasing levels of engagement.
Please list your three top priorities for the school board, if elected.
I believe in having overarching principles and goals, and I am not solely focused or motivated by one single issue. In my opinion, having a disproportionate focus on a single item can cloud judgment when evaluating the wide array of issues continuously contemplated by a School Board.
I understand that three key responsibilities of the school board are to hire and evaluate the superintendent, set the budget, and establish policy. With that in mind, my top three priorities encompass commitments to the following:
– Ensuring all students maximize their potential and increasing of overall achievement levels, while providing a safe
and welcoming environment for all PASD children
– Effectively balancing the needs of students, educators, parents, staff, and taxpayers in a fiscally responsible manner
– Being accessible and communicating with transparency to all district stakeholders
Where can voters go to learn more about your candidacy? (Website, social media handles, etc)
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/venezia4pasdschoolboard; Email – favpasdschoolboard@gmail.com
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
I’m a diehard fan of Villanova and Philly sports teams and in my spare time, enjoy playing the “middle aged triathlon” of fantasy football, cornhole, and bowling.
Municipality of residence (Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill Twp or East Pikeland Twp)
Phoenixville Borough
Please list your education and professional background and local volunteer experience
IT manager for a commercial construction company
Participant, Phoenixville Friends of Open Space
What is your relationship to PASD? For example, do you / have you had children or family members in PASD schools?
My wife and I have a son who will be two years old in July. He will be a student in the Phoenixville school district in a few years. As a new parent, I’m acutely aware that every decision made today for the district will impact my and others’ families and community for years to come.
Please disclose any potential conflict of interest, for example, do you have a business or professional relationship with PASD? Do you have any family members or people living in your household who are employed by the district?
I have no conflicts of interest.
What motivated you to run for school board?
I decided to run for school board after closely observing and providing some citizen leadership around the school district’s sale of the former Phoenixville Kindergarten Center in my neighborhood. My neighbors directly around the center and I, along with other fellow community members, had some ideas and actively participated in the process to the best of our ability, but unfortunately we were not valued in the process. Many of these individuals later asked if I would consider running for school board. After witnessing the lack of transparency in this decision, and what seemed like a lack of long-term vision, I realized that I wanted to offer my time and dedication to the leadership of our school district.
Additionally, to revisit my own childhood experience for a moment, as a young student I had quite a negative school experience. It took me years to get my life back on track in large part because of this experience. As a new parent, I don’t want my son or any other children to ever be in that same position. I believe our children have the right to attend school in an environment where everyone is valued, cared for, and empowered to be the best they can be. The school experience should be so much more than just an education. School is our children’s second home in a way, because of how much time they spend there and the crucial role their relationships with other students and faculty play in helping to shape the rest of their lives. I’ve realized that as community members, we must step up and be involved if we want things to be better. When supporting our students, we’re contributing to the development of our future neighbors, parents, teachers, doctors, political leaders, and beyond.
One of the school board’s responsibilities is setting policy for the district. Are there current policies that you believe should be changed, or are there policies that should be added?
I believe in protecting many policies that are already in place in the school district. For starters, I believe the teachers are our best resource. We need to trust in their expertise and allow them to have a significant role in making decisions for our students (like what books they’re allowed to read). I want the experts to remain empowered to decide (for the student body in general) what is considered age-appropriate information. In my opinion parents certainly have the right to decide specific guidance for their own children, but not for everyone’s children. I believe the recent change in school start time for our students is a proven benefit for students’ health and wellbeing. However, before-school care could be established for working families so as not to add an additional burden on them to have to find morning childcare. I also hear from families that the school district might not be doing enough about bullying in our schools, so I’d like to bring in experts who can recommend potential improvements in policies surrounding that difficult issue. I’d also like to add and improve policies that focus on overall health and wellbeing. With current rates of depression and suicide in children and teens, we need to do better. In order for every graduate to be prepared for their next steps in life, they need to be mentally and emotionally ready for all that life might bring. From managing stress and social media to the food we put in our bodies, we have to help our children learn ways to take good care of themselves. I believe strongly in the idea of community schools. The term refers to the idea that schools serve as both educational institutions and centers of community life, and that children are viewed as being at the heart of the community. It’s the kind of environment where every graduate is prepared for their next steps thanks to a healthy, safe, hopeful, and involved community that fosters their growth. Students only spend a portion of their time inside the walls of a school and need the same support outside of school. Fostering partnerships for childcare, food security, and wellness activities must also rely on the support of the community. In addition to this kind of emphasis on community, sustainability will be a big policy focus for me. East Pikeland, Schuylkill Township and Phoenixville all have made commitments to the sustainability of their communities, and the school district should also commit to sustainable energy production and use. I’ve been attending the school board meetings about the new elementary school and I’m disappointed in the lack of planning for sustainability. As an example of what can be done: A rural school district in Batesville, Arkansas, invested in solar power and turned a $600k energy expense into a $1.8M revenue. They generated enough solar energy to give every teacher a raise of up to $15,000. Schools are already a longterm investment in our children and our future, but we don’t need to think of it in the abstract — there are tangible facility investments we can make now for our future.
Please list your three top priorities for the school board, if elected.
1. Community Schools – Continue to build strong partnerships and relationships with the community and provide a community hub where students and families can succeed.
2. Focus on the future – School taxes are not just an expense but an investment in the future that can bring millions in savings if used responsibly.
3. Increasing transparency and community involvement. We should rely on parents, teachers, community members and professional experts to provide a healthy environment for our students and we need everyone’s voices to be heard.
Where can voters go to learn more about your candidacy? (Website, social media handles, etc)
Facebook page — Daniel Wiser for PASD School Board
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
I will be committed to listening to the concerns and ideas of parents, teachers, community members, businesses, and community support groups. Important work must be done collaboratively to make our schools the best they can be. Please reach out with your questions, concerns, and ideas.