Seven candidates are running for four, four-year terms on the Allentown School Board.
Evette D’Amore, Cereta Johnson and Denzel Morris are running as Democrats. Tom Houck, Robert E Smith Jr. and David Zimmerman secured Republican nominations. Republican Dianne Michels cross-filed and is on the ballot for both parties.
Nick Nicholoff, a Democrat, is running to finish out the two-year term created by the July resignation of Daysell Ramirez. Smith will also challenge that race.
Candidates were asked ahead of the May primary to answer questions about issues facing the district, and were sent an additional question ahead of the Nov. 4 election. The Morning Call is reprinting some of their answers to help voters make their decision.
The Morning Call asked candidates the following questions:
As you seek to manage costs, what are the programs you feel are most important to preserve?
How will you balance the district’s financial needs with the impact of tax rises on local residents?
How will you encourage recruitment and retention of teachers, especially in high-need areas such as special education?
How will you ensure that the school board is able to work together and hold district leadership accountable?
Here are their responses, in alphabetical order by candidate last name. Answers are edited only to meet word limits.
Evette D’Amore (D)
Evette D’Amore is a candidate for Allentown School Board. (Evette D’Amore)
Evette D’Amore is an office manager for EG Electric Co., a “mom & pop” electrical contractor in Allentown. She is an advocate for students with special needs, including her two sons in the district. She’s been an Allentown homeowner since 2003.
Important programs: Special education opportunities are vital to preserve because they generate equity for all children. Vocational programs are also essential because young people who are not college bound need to develop their skills. Finally, the arts, humanities, and sports should not be considered expendable, as we need to foster the development of well-rounded individuals.
Fiscal balance: The educational needs of children and the financial needs of taxpayers will remain in conflict until Harrisburg takes educational funding reform seriously. As a school director, I will tirelessly and loudly advocate for a fair funding law that takes the burden away from homeowners and provides equal funding for all children whether they live in cities, the suburbs or rural areas.
Teacher recruitment: Recruitment and retention of quality teachers is a challenge for urban school districts. It will remain so until PA adopts equal funding for schools. Until then, we must do everything possible to treat our teachers with professionalism and listen to their collective concerns and needs.
Accountability: Compromise, empathy, understanding, and clear communication is key to any group working together. We must understand each other’s point of view, even if we do not agree. By understanding and compromising we can move forward as a team. Being a team will allow us to work together to hold district leadership accountable for their actions.
Tom Houck (R)
Tom Houck is a candidate for Allentown School Board. (Tom Houck)
Tom Houck is a retired Allentown police officer who served 25 years. He also is a retired Air Force veteran with 33 years of service. He is a graduate of Allen High School. Houck is a member of the Lehigh County Republican Committee and a former candidate for Allentown City Council.
Important programs: I believe that would require some extensive research on my part to become most familiar with the various programs within the district before making a decision. Any program that significantly adds to the educational experience of our students should be considered the most important to preserve.
Fiscal balance: I do not believe that local residents can afford any more tax increases, especially school taxes. So everything must be done to avoid increasing taxes.
Teacher recruitment: If encouragement cannot be made through higher salaries, which would be my first choice, than perhaps there could be other incentives. Such as housing subsidies through either the district or in association with a local housing entity.
Accountability: Candidate did not respond.
Cereta Johnson (D)
Cereta Johnson is a candidate for Allentown School Board. (Cereta Johnson)
Cereta Johnson is a Dieruff High School graduate and a mother of two. She opened Children of Joy Christian Academy in 2019, offering child care and early childhood education in East Allentown. Johnson has a foundation focused on international missionary work, and she helps organize Allentown’s Juneteenth celebrations. She’s been an Allentown resident for 26 years and is the owner of multiple commercial properties.
Important programs: Managing costs is one of the key essential tools and we must protect the programs that directly impact student growth, well-being, and opportunity. For me, the most important programs to preserve include core academic support, mental health, counseling services, special education, career and tech schools, after-school and enrichment activities. In short, I will work to ensure we balance the budget without sacrificing the programs that make a real difference in students’ lives. Thoughtful cuts and efficiencies should never come at the cost of equity, engagement, or opportunity.
Fiscal balance: The best way to balance a school district’s financial needs with the impact of tax increases on residents is to take a strategic, transparent, and community-centered approach. Here’s a concise breakdown of how to do that effectively by prioritizing needs over wants, maximizing efficiency, strengthening public transparency, exploring alternative funding, limiting tax impact with planning, and engaging residents honestly. Overall, the goal is to be a good steward of public funds while earning and maintaining community trust. A district that listens, plans wisely, and communicates openly can meet student needs without placing undue strain on local families.
Teacher recruitment: I believe that teachers are the backbone of our schools. I’ll work to make sure they feel valued, supported, and excited to stay in our district for the long term. I will encourage recruitment and retention of teachers, especially in high-need areas such as special education, offer competitive compensation & incentives, improve working conditions, invest in professional development & mentorship. Build a supportive school culture, partner with local universities, and acknowledge the contributions of teachers. Ensure reasonable class sizes, adequate support staff (like paraprofessionals), and manageable caseloads for special ed teachers. And provide access to updated resources, materials, and technology that make their jobs more effective and sustainable.
Accountability: As a school board member I believe that having principles such as clear (respectful) communication, transparency, setting and maintaining high expectations allow the school board to work together. These principles will serve the best interests of our learning community and help hold the school district accountable for its actions and outcomes.
Dianne L Michels (D/R)
Dianne Michels is a candidate for Allentown School Board. (Dianne Michels)
Dianne Michels is a licensed professional counselor who holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology and counseling from Chestnut Hill College. Michels held a special education teaching position for three years and has also taught homebound children, worked with gifted children and volunteered as a reading teacher. She was born with legal blindness and is an advocate for children and adults with disabilities.
Important programs: I have been a special education teacher. I ran a learning support program for three years. I taught people who had development delays and people who are gifted. I really believe in meeting the needs of our students. I especially believe that children with educational difficulties should have their needs met whether it’s hearing, intellectual, visual, or a delay in learning. Every child should be given the chance and the tools to make their potential.
Fiscal balance: That’s a pretty vague question, but I am aware of the fact that many Allentown residents who owned property have made comments to me about the high cost of school taxes. On the other side, I know the importance of giving the children the right education to set their foundation for their future.
Teacher recruitment: Having experience in a special education, I am very aware of the demands placed on our teachers. And even our instructional aids and TSA‘s. I believe we need to do what we can to keep good staff. There are so many pressures on our educators. I believe it is such a concern, most especially in the city of Allentown as opposed to some of the outer areas of the county.
Accountability: I feel that it is very important to work together. This is a board that should not be based upon party lines. I feel we need to put aside some of our unique differences and work together in the common goal of helping the Allentown School District to improve the schools. Besides improving the schools, I’d like to see that we also assist the teachers and staff to be proud of working at the Allentown School District. I’d like to see improvement for teachers and staff and how we could retain our staff. It’s very important to stick to the issues and focus on what needs to be addressed working as a team together.
Denzel Morris (D)
Denzel Morris is a candidate for the Allentown School Board. (Trey Owens / Touchpoint Photography)
Denzel Morris is a software engineer, most recently at Google, who was born and raised in East Side Allentown. He graduated from the Swain School. He volunteers with Girls on the Run and tutors math at Lehigh Carbon Community College and Dieruff High School
Important programs: Independent learning is my North Star. A star that we can look towards to guide us in the right direction. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” is the difference between dependent and independent learners. We want our students to become independent learners in ASD because that’s the best possible outcome for each student. Surprisingly, the more independent our students become, the less money we spend, and the more money we have available to spend on more and better programs. A positive cycle where the more we do, the better we get. I will seek to expand all programs that deliver independent learning outcomes.
Fiscal balance: Frequent and open discussion with Allentown residents. We start these discussions by connecting every dollar spent to student outcomes. We communicate those results and our plans to residents. Then, most importantly, we listen and act upon the residents’ feedback. My goal is to build independent learners in ASD. Independent learning is the best student outcome because students flourish while we spend less. As ASD Director, I’d have the honor of representing the people of Allentown and their will. It’s important to remember that ASD serves the people. Any discussion about spending and taxes must include the people we represent.
Teacher recruitment: Teachers are our most important asset. To retain our teachers, I’d open the lines of communication with an open-door policy. Any ASD teacher can speak directly with me to problem-solve together. They’ll find two ears that care. To recruit more teachers, I’d start by being a public role model for our district’s culture. Born and raised in Allentown, I think it’s time to circle back and give back to our community, after a successful career in software engineering that landed me a top 0.1% position at Google working on Google Search, because we can build a better future for the next generation. Finally, I want to work with the ASD Superintendent on both fronts. Merging her context and expertise with my fresh perspective and experience is powerful.
Accountability: Relationships, Transparency, and Focus. I’ve built relationships with school board members and candidates, past and present. I’ve highlighted district leadership’s failure to deliver on their Strategic Plan’s #1 priority — 40% student absenteeism. We need to focus. I’m available to work with anyone that wants to solve these problems with me.
Nick Nicholoff (D)
Nick Nicholoff is a member of the Allentown School Board. (Christmas City Studios)
Nick Nicholoff holds degrees in history and philosophy from The College of New Jersey. He worked as a forklift operator, delivery driver and tutor while completing his studies and then transitioned into social work, with a focus on domestic violence cases. He’s now a human resources leader for a manufacturing facility outside Allentown. Nicholoff currently serves as a school board director and is the board’s policy chair.
Important programs: The most important programs to preserve are those that directly impact students’ learning and well-being. Special education services, support for English language learners, and student support services such as counseling are among the most critical, foundational programs that must be retained. Historically, studies have shown that the arts are often some of the first programs cut when budgets shrink. I strongly disagree with that course of action, as students involved in arts programs consistently perform better in areas requiring critical thinking and enjoy greater mental health benefits. Preserving these programs is essential to cultivating the problem-solving, critically thinking citizens that a strong society demands. Identifying these priorities in the coming years will be crucial to ensuring long-term student success.
Fiscal balance: Right now, the district is in one of the strongest financial positions in its history. This fiscal responsibility has improved our credit rating, opening access to alternative funding pipelines outside of additional taxation. The most important aspect is to maintain and strengthen this fiscal discipline, which in turn reduces long-term costs for the district and protects taxpayers. Responsible management ensures that when investments are needed, they are made with minimal additional burden on local residents, preserving trust between the community and its schools.
Teacher recruitment: The recruitment and retention of teachers is a nationwide concern. While School Board Directors are not in the classroom or HR department every day, we can assist the district’s efforts by actively listening to public comments from stakeholders, staying in touch with district staff at all levels, and using that information to create practical and supportive policies. By fostering a positive, respectful work environment and recognizing the contributions of our educators, we can strengthen teacher retention and make Allentown a destination for top teaching talent, particularly in high-need areas such as special education.
Accountability: Progress in anything means collaboration and, above all, shared purpose. We achieve this with steady focus on fairness, kindness, honesty, and a sense of teamwork; all focused on that shared goal: the wellbeing of our next generation. The greatest historical strength of this nation is an ability to compromise; our whole system is based on it. The board and district leadership conduct honest discourse and create actionable plans for a shared vision of the future. Building an environment of honesty and transparency will inherently lead to greater cooperation, greater transparency, and greater accountability.
Robert E Smith Jr. (R)
Robert E. Smith Jr. is a candidate for the Allentown School Board. (Robert E. Smith Jr.)
Robert Smith works for New Vitae Wellness and Recovery. He’s been in the health field for over 25 years, assisting people with intellectual disabilities and brain injuries. He previously served on the Allentown School Board for 16 years.
Important programs: I will fight to preserve vital programs that contribute to a well-rounded education, including kindergarten, music, arts, theater, sports, and Learning Dome classes. These are essential to student development.
Fiscal balance: Our families are already burdened by rising costs for essentials like water and trash. We cannot continue to pass the financial strain onto residents without exploring all other options first.
Teacher recruitment: We will invest in “grow your own” educator programs by partnering with local colleges to train and support future teachers. These programs will provide pathways to certification and include job guarantees upon completion, with a commitment to remain in the district for at least four years.
Accountability: I will listen and get to know new board members, what their goals are, and how we can work together to achieve common goals. We need to find common ground and move Allentown in a positive direction. My experience and leadership will be a valuable asset for our Allentown school district. I will hit the ground running, we have no time to wait, we need positive change now. The Board must direct the Superintendent to hold administrators accountable. We are dealing with serious issues- mold in our school buildings, a troubling reduction in academic standards to a 59% passing grade and the ongoing struggle to retain our most outstanding employees.
David F Zimmerman (R)
David Zimmerman is a candidate for Allentown School Board. (David Zimmerman)
David Zimmerman is a lifelong Allentown resident. He studied economics at the University of Miami and received a Master of Public Health degree from Columbia University. He’s a retired research analyst who worked for Lehigh Valley Health Network and served as a substance abuse treatment therapist. Zimmerman served on the Allentown School Board from 2009 to 2017 and is an emergency certified substitute teacher.
Important programs: As we manage costs during challenging fiscal times, preserving programs that have the most significant impact on student success, particularly in reading, math, and psychosocial development is essential. Prioritizing early literacy and numeracy interventions ensures that students build strong academic foundations. Tiered support systems like MTSS and extended learning opportunities like tutoring and summer programs are critical for closing achievement gaps. Equally important are mental health supports, including school-based counselors, social workers, and structured social-emotional learning programs. Community partnerships are vital, as they provide on-site clinical services and wraparound support for families. These programs address the full spectrum of student needs—academic, emotional, and social—creating an environment where every child can thrive. By focusing on impact-driven strategies and leveraging local resources, we can sustain the core services that drive long-term student achievement while remaining fiscally responsible. This approach ensures equity, well-being, and academic progress remain central to our mission.
Fiscal balance: In the Allentown School District, balancing financial needs with the impact of tax increases requires a thoughtful, transparent approach. I will prioritize responsible budgeting, focusing on essential programs that directly support student learning and well-being. We will seek efficiencies through cost-saving measures, explore alternative funding sources such as grants and partnerships, and phase in necessary expenditures to minimize tax burdens. Engaging the community is key—we will maintain open communication, clearly explain financial decisions, and involve residents in budget planning. Before considering tax increases, we will exhaust all options to reduce costs without compromising educational quality. Our goal is to sustain vital services while respecting the financial pressures facing local families. Through collaboration, innovation, and accountability, we can responsibly manage district finances while maintaining public trust and ensuring the best outcomes for our students.
Teacher recruitment: In a socially challenging large urban school district, recruiting and retaining qualified teachers — especially in high-need areas like special education — requires targeted support, competitive incentives, and a strong sense of professional value. I would advocate for competitive salaries, loan forgiveness, and hiring bonuses to attract talent. Just as important, we must create a culture of support and respect by providing strong mentorship for new teachers, robust professional development, and opportunities for career advancement. Addressing workload and improving classroom conditions, especially in special education, is essential to prevent burnout. Partnering with local universities to develop a pipeline of diverse, well-prepared educators can also strengthen recruitment. Finally, creating a collaborative, inclusive school climate where teachers feel heard and valued is key to long-term retention. By investing in both the professional and personal well-being of educators, we can build a stable, motivated workforce committed to student success in the most challenging environments.
Accountability: Candidate did not respond.