In the Southern Lehigh School Board race, Democrats Kimberly Jaramillo, Luis Melecio, Josh Rager and Chris Sykora are running against Republicans Paul Deebel, Stephen Maund and Christopher Wayock for four open school board seats. Jaramillo is cross-filed and will appear on both ballots. Maund and Wayock are incumbents.
The Morning Call asked each candidate to answer questions during the primary and then sent an additional question for each to answer during their general election campaign. We then selected the most relevant questions to include in our election guide.
Answers have not been edited, and candidates were asked to disclose if they used artificial intelligence in crafting their responses (none did so).
The municipal election will be held on Nov. 4. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Paul Deebel (R)
Paul Deebel is a candidate for Southern Lehigh School Board. (Paul Deebel)
Paul Deebel is a Bucknell University graduate with a chemical engineering degree who works in the aerospace and defense industry, serving as a sales manager for TE Connectivity. He is the parent of two Southern Lehigh students (one now a graduate). His wife, Ellen, works at Hopewell Elementary as a cafeteria aide and substitute teacher.
How will you ensure that the school board is able to work together and hold district leadership accountable?
The role of the school board is to govern, not micro-manage the district. I will remind my fellow directors of our responsibilities as defined by board policies. We will set clear goals for the administrative team and work together as a board to evaluate the administration’s progress and provide feedback.
As you seek to manage costs, what are the programs you feel are most important to preserve?
More than 70% of the school district’s budget goes to salaries and benefits. Variations in funding will have minimal impacts on programming. Cost savings will be best realized by allocating staffing efficiently.
How will you balance the district’s financial needs with the impact of tax rises on local residents?
Inflation has had a significant impact across the board. The administration under [former superintendent] Dr. Mahon has done a wonderful job balancing the budget with no tax increases the last two years. I would expect their continued efforts will allow any future tax increases to be well below the Act 1 Index.
Kimberly Jaramillo (D/R)
Kimberly Jaramillo is a candidate for the Southern Lehigh School Board. (Tom Volk)
Kimberly Jaramillo works as a pathologist for the St. Luke’s University Health Network. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas, earned her medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University, and completed training at the University of Pennsylvania, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Drexel University. Jaramillo and her husband, Guido, have two children in the district, and she is a PTA member.
How will you ensure that the school board is able to work together and hold district leadership accountable?
I’m a board-certified physician, proven medical leader, and educator experienced in high-stakes decision-making and rigorous quality oversight. Recent turmoil shows steady, transparent governance is essential. Productive board work depends on every member showing respect and keeping students and staff at the center. I will foster solution-focused discussion, set clear norms, and step in with training or facilitated sessions if conflict distracts from our mission. To hold district leadership accountable, we’ll align the superintendent’s goals to student outcomes, require regular written and public reports, and use evidence-based evaluations tied to those goals, which will ensure trust, transparency, and results for our community.
As you seek to manage costs, what are the programs you feel are most important to preserve?
I will fight to preserve small class sizes, the arts, athletics, enrichment opportunities, special education services, and programs and instruction that focus on individual needs of students. These programs build leadership, creativity, confidence, and resilience. They aren’t extras — they are critical for preparing students for life beyond the classroom. Every student deserves access to a well-rounded education that helps them discover and develop their passions and talents.
How will you balance the district’s financial needs with the impact of tax rises on local residents?
I believe in smart budgeting that prioritizes classrooms first and cuts waste where possible, without reducing student opportunities. I also support pushing for fairer state funding, so our local taxpayers aren’t carrying more than their share. Open, clear communication with the public is essential. Residents deserve to know exactly how funds are used so they can trust that we are making fiscally conservative decisions that keep taxes low and our school’s community strong.
Stephen Maund (R)
Stephen Maund is a candidate for the Southern Lehigh School Board. (Stephen Maund)
Stephen Maund is president & CEO of Demco Automation in Milford Township. He is a Temple University graduate and a mechanical engineer. Maund has two children who graduated from Southern Lehigh High School. He currently serves on several boards, including the Southern Lehigh School District and Lehigh Career & Technical Institute.
How will you ensure that the school board is able to work together and hold district leadership accountable?
The school board holds district leadership accountable primarily through its sole employee, the Superintendent. Since I became Board President in June, we’ve initiated a professional development series with the PSBA for both the board and the Superintendent. The goal is to establish a strong, collaborative team environment. This training focuses on critical subjects such as board governance, teamwork, ethics, and strategic planning. Professional Development is essential for continuous improvement, especially as new members join every two years, and compliments work by the district’s administration and staff. Essentially, this series ensures the board operates effectively for the ultimate benefit of the school district.
As you seek to manage costs, what are the programs you feel are most important to preserve?
My goal is to preserve current programs and continue to enhance educational excellence. One new program being evaluated is all-day kindergarten, with a goal of launching it in 2026. It will take continued budgeting work to execute, but fortunately additional classroom space is already available within our schools.
How will you balance the district’s financial needs with the impact of tax rises on local residents?
Over the past four years, Southern Lehigh School District has moved from deficit spending to having a balanced budget. This was accomplished by utilizing zero-based budgeting techniques, sound financial investment strategies, and reviewing spending priorities. As Board Treasurer, I currently work closely with the administration on budget priorities to minimize taxes. In the past two budget cycles SLSD has had a 0% tax increase.
Luis Melecio (D)
Luis Melecio is a candidate for the Southern Lehigh School Board. (Luis Melecio)
Melecio is a union electrician with the United Steelworkers. He completed a high school vocational program and an apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers while earning an associate’s degree in Labor Studies. Melecio is also a music tutor. He and his wife, Maja, have a son in the school district.
How will you ensure that the school board is able to work together and hold district leadership accountable?
Ensuring that the school board works together is the responsibility of each member and relies on mutual respect. Focusing on solutions for the benefit of our students and staff will keep us grounded in the important work we need to address and is foundational to my methodology. If the board devolves and the focus pivots to personal grievances then there would be a need for intervention. Professional development aimed at bringing the board back to its fundamentals and avoiding doing a disservice to the students, educators, faculty and our fellow community members.
As you seek to manage costs, what are the programs you feel are most important to preserve?
Our district follows a needs-based, targeted spending approach, which recognizes that students benefit from a wide range of services. Prioritization is key, and I believe programs that directly support student growth, safety, and equity should be preserved. Academic and enrichment programs, such as STEAM, music, speech & debate and athletics, have not only enriched student experiences but have also led to award-winning teams and individual achievements. These programs help students build confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills. At the same time, services like speech therapy, counseling, gifted education, and special education ensure that all students receive the support necessary to thrive. Our safety-focused programs also play a vital role in preparing staff and students for a variety of emergency situations. These programs collectively contribute to a well-rounded, and secure learning environment and should remain a priority.
How will you balance the district’s financial needs with the impact of tax rises on local residents?
I would focus on evaluating the current revenue streams and carefully assess any potential increases to ensure they don’t place undue burden on taxpayers. A combination of strategic resource allocation to immediate needs, efficient management of existing funds, and a clear plan for future financial sustainability will be key. By prioritizing transparency and thoughtful planning, I believe we can minimize the tax impact on our community while maintaining the quality of education and services our district requires.
Josh Rager (D)
Josh Rager is a candidate for the Southern Lehigh School Board. (Josh Rager)
Josh Rager works in sales and project management for a steel pipe manufacturer. He’s a graduate of Washington & Jefferson College with a business degree. Rager has a daughter at Liberty Bell Elementary, where his wife serves as PTA treasurer. His wife, Shannon, also taught in public schools for more than 10 years before moving into the nonprofit sector to work with individuals with disabilities.
How will you ensure that the school board is able to work together and hold district leadership accountable?
With a long career in steel sales / project management, I have experience bringing parties together to complete the work that must be done. These parties don’t always see eye to eye on what they believe is the best course of action. By having a discussion where both parties are open to hearing the others’ opinions, with respect and understanding, a path forward is usually found.
It is vital that we, as a board, work together with administration to ensure that the decisions made are in the best interest of every stakeholder and we ALL remain accountable for our actions, including how we represent ourselves at board meetings.
As you seek to manage costs, what are the programs you feel are most important to preserve?
The programs that directly support student learning, physical and mental well-being, creative development, career/technical training, and extracurriculars. Ensure appropriate class sizes, quality curriculum, and effective teachers in every classroom while protecting personalized support for individual students with disabilities and special needs. Having a strong foundation of mental health/counseling services, especially post-pandemic, is essential; as is Early intervention and Academic support, including tutoring and specialists to help close the achievement gaps and prevent students from falling behind. Career and Technical training must remain in-tact. These programs prepare students for success with real-world experience they may not be able to receive otherwise. The benefits of extracurriculars such as Theater, Sports, and Robotics, to name a few, are too numerous to list and are crucial to the continued success of our district. My priority is to protect what works and what supports our kids while also making responsible, sustainable budget decisions.
How will you balance the district’s financial needs with the impact of tax rises on local residents?
My background in project management will allow me to prioritize responsible budgeting, recognize cost-saving efficiencies, and explore alternative funding before increasing taxes. Nobody wants to pay more taxes, me included, and I would do everything in my power to keep from raising taxes if I’m elected. That said, tax increases do happen, and they don’t happen in a vacuum. Every tax increase affects families and businesses in our community to a different extent. If it is something that needs to happen, I’ll ensure it’s tied to essential student services and any decisions will be informed and transparent to all in the community. My goal is to preserve educational quality without placing undue strain on the taxpayers in this community.
Chris Sykora (D)
Chris Sykora is a candidate for the Southern Lehigh School Board. (Chris Sykora)
Chris Sykora holds an aerospace engineering degree from Penn State University as well as a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Cincinnati. Companies he’s worked for include Rotating Machinery Services, Air Products and Cryo Technologies. He worked as a substitute teacher in Bethlehem public schools during a career break in 2019. He and his wife, Kristen, have a son at Hopewell Elementary.
How will you ensure that the school board is able to work together and hold district leadership accountable?
Working together will require teamwork and compromise like I’ve developed as an engineer, balancing my own project goals with my colleagues. On the board, I’ll listen first, ask questions, and consider anyone’s good ideas. I expect disagreements, but we must be like coworkers, not enemies, avoiding power struggles, and making steady progress. That requires a successful superintendent. I intend to publicly praise her good behaviors, offer criticism privately, and consider the letter and spirit of contract goals. Ultimately, accountability comes through votes on raises or extensions. I deeply support our new superintendent’s success, because we really can’t afford more leadership churn.
As you seek to manage costs, what are the programs you feel are most important to preserve?
As a parent, I know how important it is to protect the programs that truly make a difference for our kids. Strong classroom teaching, special education services, mental health support, and activities like STEM, arts, and sports all help students grow into confident, capable adults. I believe we must put student needs first when making budget decisions, and look for savings in areas that don’t directly impact what happens in the classroom.
How will you balance the district’s financial needs with the impact of tax rises on local residents?
As a parent and taxpayer, I understand the need to balance strong schools with fair costs to our community. With the anticipated move to full-day Kindergarten and growing student needs, we will likely need more teachers to give our kids the support they deserve. I believe any tax increases must be clearly tied to improving education, handled carefully, and communicated openly. Investing in our schools is not just about today. It is about making sure every child has the chance to succeed.
Christopher Wayock (R)
Christopher Wayock is a candidate for the Southern Lehigh School Board. (Christopher Wayock)
Christopher Wayock works as a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at St. Luke’s Hospital. He supports patients through high-risk pregnancies. Wayock is a graduate of Ursinus College and Thomas Jefferson University’s medical school. He is the parent of two sons and a daughter and is running for re-election.
How will you ensure that the school board is able to work together and hold district leadership accountable?
To ensure the school board works collaboratively and holds district leadership accountable, I will continue to promote transparent communication, insist upon regular training on governance, and clarify clear role definitions on the school board. Our board needs to address the disruptive behavior of a particular board member, which has had an impact on hiring administrative staff. To address this, I will advocate for a code of conduct with enforceable consequences, promoting professionalism. I welcome public forums and even evaluations to hold board members accountable and ensure they prioritize the district’s needs. By modeling respectful collaboration (with reasonable directors) across party lines and focusing on shared goals, I believe the board can rebuild trust and attract strong administrators.
As you seek to manage costs, what are the programs you feel are most important to preserve?
Southern Lehigh embraces a mindset of growth and preservation, not reduction. I prioritize core academic programs, special education, and career-technical education to ensure student success and workforce readiness. As a conservative, I focus on essentials, avoiding wasteful initiatives. Our strong finances allow us to sustain these without cuts. I’ll safeguard classroom resources, teacher support, and extracurriculars, ensuring efficiency promotes growth and preserves quality.
How will you balance the district’s financial needs with the impact of tax rises on local residents?
While the current board leadership pursues aggressive spending, I prioritize fiscal responsibility. Southern Lehigh’s minimal tax increases reflect my commitment to residents, especially the less fortunate, who feel tax impacts most. Just because other districts max out taxes doesn’t mean it’s right for us. I’ll enforce strict budget oversight, cut waste, and seek grants, ensuring quality education without burdening taxpayers. Transparency will maintain trust.