ALLENTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOL DIRECTOR

DEMOCRATIC / REPUBLICAN

SCHOOL DIRECTOR

DEMOCRATIC / REPUBLICAN

Democratic

SALLY J. REISS

FRANCEE E. FULLER

Alburtis

www.fullerforeastpennschoolboard.com

D.O.B.: 1951

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science, Communication Studies, Temple University

OCCUPATION: Marketing Manager

QUALIFICATIONS: Children who have the benefit of a strong education have greater adult earning capacities to provide for society’s needs. To support the educational goals of their district, school directors must educate themselves about educational issues including legislative, financial, legal and curricular. I have dedicated my time and personal resources to do so.

RESPONSE: East Penn provides a superior education at a mid-range per student cost when compared to districts across the Commonwealth. Parents see that value when their students win acceptance and succeed at competitive colleges and universities. Education excellence provides the underpinning for our entire community, strengthening property values and overall quality of life for East Penn stakeholders of all ages. Maintaining and strengthening our program while being mindful of fiscal concerns is my prime objective.

ALAN EARNSHAW

Macungie

www.electearnshaw.org

D.O.B.: 1966

EDUCATION: BS Marketing, Brigham Young University

OCCUPATION: Manager, Business Intelligence and Process Improvement, Air Products

QUALIFICATIONS: Father of four East Penn students. Board member since 2001, Vice President from 2004-2008, President since December 2008. Served on and led many district committees and teams. Led the Superintendent search in 2007.

RESPONSE: Maintaining our high standards, making appropriate investments in Academic, Arts, and Athletic programs, and ensuring all students have the resources they need to succeed while controlling costs and reducing spending. We have reduced our already low administration costs, increased employee contributions for medical benefits, negotiated lower bus costs, and will continue identifying areas for further reductions, freeing up resources to continue providing the high quality programs our students and parents deserve.

NANCY WATKINS

Emmaus

D.O.B.: 1961

EDUCATION: BA, English, University of Rochester, 1983; MA, Teaching, Washington University, 1985

OCCUPATION: Medical Editor

QUALIFICATIONS: PTO President, 3 years; Active in school activities since 1997; Angel Network Emergency supply coordinator; Member Emmaus High School Connect; Two EPSD children, 8th and 11th grades.

RESPONSE: Major issue: quality education with fiscal discipline by working cooperatively with Superintendent and staff: 1) Spending benefits as many students as possible, 2) Boosting academics: helping those who need assistance while encouraging excellence, 3) Balanced spending across all activities, 4) Education is the best investment: Safe neighborhoods, Children become more productive in society, Resilient housing values. No desire for other political office; my focus will be on the job at hand.

WILLIAM A. EHRLICH

Lower Macungie Township

D.O.B.: 1959

EDUCATION: Yale University (BA, history, 1981); University of Pennsylvania Law School (JD, 1986)

OCCUPATION: Attorney, Law Offices of Kevin Fogerty, Allentown, PA

QUALIFICATIONS: Parent of two children who attend East Penn Schools (one in middle school, one in elementary school); specialize in construction and contract law

RESPONSE: The major issue facing the school district is how to provide a quality education to its students, while also controlling costs and managing the still-increasing school population. I will address these challenges by remaining focused on the core mission of the district – educating children – while looking for ways to improve efficiency, and having the courage to say no to expenditures which are not necessary for a quality education.

REPUBLICAN

REBECCA HEID

Upper Milford Township

D.O.B.: 1978

EDUCATION: 2000, Pennsylvania State University, B.S. / 2003, Johnson & Wales University, MBA/2009, Lehigh Valley College, Certificate in Graphic Design

OCCUPATION: Instructor – Adjunct at Northampton Community College

QUALIFICATIONS: Five years experience in education industry/Trained evaluator for Accredited Commission of Independent and Small Colleges. Believe in Community Service and Volunteer Work

RESPONSE: I believe that the tax payers should have a voice in the decision making process. Acknowledging peoples’ concerns and initiating action on their part are steps that will be met. Fiscal responsibility within the district is the most critical issue. Education is a top priority and wasteful spending of taxpayer money will end. There is no reason to continuously raise taxes at a greater rate than inflation as long as we budget properly.

MIKE POLICANO

Lower Macungie Township

D.O.B.: 1938

EDUCATION: 1961, Hunter College BA; 1976, Farleigh Dickinson, MBA

OCCUPATION: Retired

QUALIFICATIONS: For most of my career I have been in leadership roles including engineering management and program management. Also I have been involved in community activities including Knights of Columbus where I served as Financial Secretary for 16 years. Currently I am on three committees in the development I am a resident of and I am also a volunteer on a Lower Macungie Township Committee. As such I have gained the leadership, planning and financial skills required for school board members to serve successfully.

RESPONSE: The major issue is to provide and improve the quality of education without raising taxes. There is a need to improve students’ knowledge and thinking skills not only to prepare them for future careers but also to prepare them to better handle their responsibilities as citizens of our country. The goal is to prepare them to confront and deal responsibly and intelligently with the many complex issues, such as we are confronted with today. To stop tax increases I will focus on eliminating wasteful and non-essential expenditures.

SCHOOL DIRECTOR

(Vote for no more than Four – 4 Year Term)

DEMOCRATIC / REPUBLICAN

GARY S. FEDORCHA

D.O.B.: 1949

EDUCATION: BS, Med in Education

OCCUPATION: Retired School Administrator

QUALIFICATIONS: 36 yrs in Public Education, 16 yrs as a School Director, 4 yrs on the Pa Standard & Practice Commission, An understanding of School law, budget, and special education rules and guidelines as well a school board guidelines.

RESPONSE: Provide quality education for all students in the district and keep local taxes down. Accomplishing this includes hiring quality staff and providing continuous training and in-servicing for all staff, supporting and funding all programs so students are well equipped to compete at all levels of higher education and future careers, and using grants and other government incentives to support the success of all students. Quality education will strengthen our community.

GREGORY S. WILLIAMS

www.myspace.com/electgwilliams

D.O.B.: 1977

EDUCATION: B.A. in Politics, minor in Business - DeSales University; Graduate – Salisbury High School

OCCUPATION: Business Manager – Rentschler Chevrolet C-J-D

QUALIFICATIONS: In my first term on the board, I have negotiated two agreements with support staff and a teacher’s contract, and currently serve as Board Secretary and chairman of the Policy and Education committee.

RESPONSE: The most important issue in this election is the need to keep our school district moving forward – both financially and educationally. We have to find the right balance between the needs of our taxpayers and the needs of our students. I believe that my first term has shown that I seek that balance in every decision I make, and will continue to do so for as long as I serve on the board.

DONALD H. DENGLER

No response

DEMOCRATIC

REPUBLICAN

LAUREN A. GANSER

CAMILLE S. BARTLETT

WILLIAM F. TOWNE

TODD HERNANDEZ

EDUCATION: 1977, Lock Haven University, B.S.

OCCUPATION: Homemaker, Substitute Teacher

QUALIFICATIONS: School Director, 8 years, Vice President, 2 years, Chairman Educational and Athletics Committee, 3 years; CLIU Board, 3years, LCTI JOC, 4 years; Joint Coordinating Committee, 2 years

RESPONSE: The major issue in Parkland is to maintain the excellent education we provide our students in these troubling economic times. We must be able to continue to do so without burdening our taxpayers. I will address this by working with our administration to make sure that we reach a fair balance between the two equally important entities.

ROBERT M. COHEN

D.O.B.: 1949

EDUCATION: Pratt Institute, Bachelor of Architecture

OCCUPATION: Computer Consultant

QUALIFICATIONS: School Board Director, 12 years

RESPONSE: "…. The Parkland School District mission is to empower each learner to be a meaningful contributor in a dynamic global society." I will adhere to this mission statement from the Parkland School District’s 2008-2014 strategic plan while being responsive to the economic realities of our current economically challenging environment. I will continue to work collaboratively with our administration to assume that our children receive the best public education possible.

MARK HANICHAK

D.O.B.: 1957

EDUCATION: 1978, Muhlenberg College, B.A.; 1983, Lehigh University, MBA

OCCUPATION: Fund Raising Executive

QUALIFICATIONS: Parkland School Board appointed member, 2008-2009; Parkland Community Advisory Council President, 2006-2009; Parkland School District Athletics, Personnel and Finance Committees, 2008; Parkland resident taxpayer since 1983.

RESPONSE: As both a current parent of PSD elementary school students and a PSD taxpayer since 1983, I will use my financial background to help seek the necessary balance between an excellent educational product (which Parkland has) and an affordable tax rate on the residents of the district. Additionally, and increasingly, the health and safety of our school children must be guarded closely against factors that would put our children at risk (internet, individuals, flu virus).

DEMOCRATIC

LISA ADAMS

Upper Macungie Township

D.O.B.: 1963

EDUCATION: 1981 – Allentown Central Catholic High School; 1983 – Associates Degree in Business from Allentown Business School.

OCCUPATION: Customer Service Rep with Air Products & Chemicals Inc.

QUALIFICATIONS: Involved in the Parkland School District since 1992. Various officer positions – Fogelsville Elementary School PTO. Various committees – Springhouse Middle School. Facilitator for Parent Forum at Parkland High School. Officer & Member of Parkland’s Community Advisory Council. Member of Parkland’s Strategic Planning Committee 2009. Member on Parkland High School’s Class Rank/Grading system committee 2009. Parent volunteer, coach, and board member for South Parkland Youth Association.

RESPONSE: As Parkland HS hits a student count of 3,237 for 2009, and we prepare to open our 8th elementary school in 2010 - the question everyone seems to be asking is "Are we bursting at the seams"? How to handle that will involve looking at current enrollments, projecting future growth, best use of current facilities with minimal if not any tax increases. More open communications with Parkland families is crucial.
 

REPUBLICAN

BARRY LONG

No response

JANE M. FISCHER

JOHN MOYER

BRIAN BOBECK

DOROTHY MOHR

Coopersburg

D.O.B.: 1943

EDUCATION: 1965 Beaver College, B.S Education; 1965-1970 Temple University, Graduate courses

OCCUPATION: Retired

QUALIFICATIONS: Teacher, 26 years; Mother of two; Southern Lehigh resident 36 years

RESPONSE: All of us are facing limitations in our spending, while still giving the best we can to our families. The Southern Lehigh School District is no different. Historically, we have had a good reputation scholastically. Both of my sons went through the District from K to 12 and profited greatly. My goal is to continue to provide the level of excellence already earned and to do it with the taxpayers in mind.

Center Valley

D.O.B.: 1962

EDUCATION: 1984, BA, Johns Hopkins University; 1988, MD, Duke University School of Medicine

OCCUPATION: Chair, Department of Anesthesiology, Lehigh Valley Health Network

QUALIFICATIONS: Continuous Southern Lehigh resident since 1996, 2 children in public schools, extensive professional experience in human resources management, budgeting responsibility, performance and quality improvement, medical education, and corporate compliance.

RESPONSE: The quality of our educational system, particularly K through 12, has begun to suffer in comparison to other technologically advanced countries, and the capability of our graduated students to compete in an increasingly global economy is being affected. Out school system must focus on improving performance in math, science, communications and relevant skills in the modern economy, and must do so recognizing the fiscal realities we all face in our workplace and personal lives.

ELIZABETH STELTS

Upper Saucon Township

D.O.B.: 1951

EDUCATION: 1983, University of Wisconsin, PhD, Engineering

OCCUPATION: Retired from Sandia National Labs as Senior Staff Member

QUALIFICATIONS: Six years as an active Southern Lehigh School Board Director, twice elected Board President. At Sandia, I worked with scientists, professors and public school educators to improve science teaching through the study of environmental issues.

RESPONSE: My major objectives are to continue to provide our students with the opportunity for an excellent education and to minimize the cost to our taxpayers. We must also sensibly improve, increase and maintain our facilities to minimize future costs. We can improve our ability to reach all students and lower cost with the judicious use of new technology. Financial restraint is especially important in today’s economic climate.

DEMOCRATIC

MICHAEL EDDINGER

No response

REPUBLICAN

WILLIAM HAYES

Coopersburg

D.O.B.: 1955

EDUCATION: BS, Kutztown; M.Ed, Lehigh University

OCCUPATION: High School Principal, Wissahickon S.D.; Instructor, Gd. Leadership, Cabrini College

QUALIFICATIONS: Springfield Township Planning Commission (4 yrs); Southern Lehigh School District (6 yrs)

RESPONSE: The major issue is balancing the rights of the students for a quality education while respecting the needs for fiscal responsibility. This will be accomplished through significant and logical consideration of broad principles.

SCHOOL DIRECTOR

(Vote for One – 2 Year Term)

DEMOCRATIC/REPUBLICAN

MICHAEL EDDINGER

WAYNE A. GRIM