Rydal-Meadowbrook Civic Association

Candidate for Abington Board of School Directors

Download & print PDF with an overview of all candidates, individual responses and questions to be asked at the Forum on October 27, 2011. RMCA and our co-hosts are pleased to provide this candidate an opportunity to present qualifications and priorities. These are the opinions of the candidate and RMCA does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy of the content or typographic errors: 

In your view, what function does the Board of School Directors provide in the School District?
The primary function of the School Board is to provide oversight to the School District.  The Board of School Directors provides that oversight in three broad areas.  The first is planning.  Districts are required to develop a comprehensive Strategic Plan which is a roadmap for the district going forward.  The second is by setting the policies of the district. These policies are the rules for the road being traveled on.  And finally, the third is to evaluate the effectiveness of the first two items and to make changes in planning or policy, if needed.

What role do you envision for yourself on the Board of School Directors? What experience do you bring to the position and what do you want to accomplish?
My role on the Board of School Directors is to be one of nine individuals who provide oversight to the District but my authority lies in the collective authority of the group.  It takes a majority vote of the Board to pass any resolution.

I bring to the position eight years of School Board experience and the collective knowledge I have gained from that experience.  For accomplishments, I wish to continue to provide an outstanding education for all students in a fiscally responsible manner, continue to advocate for strong public schools, and continue to be responsive to the needs and concerns of the taxpayers of Abington Township and Rockledge Borough.

The School District has a budget of $130 million. What are your funding priorities over the next four years? My funding priorities over the next four years are to continue to deliver the stellar academic programs and favorable class sizes at a good value to the taxpayers.

RMCA is co-hosting the Forum with the Abington Cheltenham Jenkintown League of Women Voters and Abington Parent Council (PTA & PTOs).

References and Links  
Strategic Plan Mid-point Review 
2011 Budget Summary
Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators White Paper 
Teachers' Agreement 
Memo on Rights and Responsibility of Students 
Board Communications