LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — With the 2025 municipal election growing ever close, voters need to be informed of who will be on their ballots Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Below is a profile of 18-year-old Jacob Rudolph, who is looking to become one of the next Lower Merion School Board members:
Name: Jacob Rudolph
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Location/Town: Gladwyne
Party: Independent
Campaign website/social media: https://www.jacobforlmsd.com @jacobforlmsd
What are some of the toughest challenges local teachers face in 2025?
Teachers in Lower Merion face a really unique set of challenges. On the one hand, our district has a well-deserved reputation for excellence. However, on the other hand, that reputation comes with immense pressure on teachers to perform at a high level while meeting the ever-increasing responsibilities that come with being a teacher in the 21st century. Teachers are expected to, in addition to delivering rigorous academics, manage students’ social, emotional, and mental health needs. Teachers face a challenging task in balancing these responsibilities, particularly with the increasing school populations and diverse learning needs. I genuinely believe that LMSD’s teachers are dedicated and outstanding in their work. Still, they need more support from the administration, including additional planning time, more classroom resources, and less bureaucratic pressure, so they can focus on what they do best: teaching and inspiring students.
Does the prevalence of smartphones in classrooms hinder students’ ability to retain lessons taught in school?
Yes, in many ways. Smartphones are incredibly powerful tools, but when misused or overused, they can become some of the biggest distractions not just in education, but in life in general. I know this firsthand, as I fell into that trap. Students are constantly pulled away from what is essential, whether that be by checking notifications, scrolling through social media, or messaging their friends, which can significantly weaken their focus. This was a significant issue in my classes, where you would often see students wearing their AirPods, watching YouTube, listening to music, or engaging in other activities. While I don’t think the solution is to ban phones entirely, at least in high school, I believe that the current “Off and Away” policy does not effectively combat this issue. We must ensure that students stay off their phones, whether by offering incentives to teachers or imposing more severe consequences for breaking this rule. We should help students develop healthy habits around screen time and focus, so they can learn the self-discipline and good habits that will serve them throughout their lives.
How do you plan to address school safety, as well as the rise in hoax threats toward schools? If not, what should be done to address that.
School safety depends on trust, preparedness, and communication. LMSD already has a relatively strong foundation, with secure entrances, surveillance systems, coordination with the LMPD, and modern alert tools. But there are some improvements we could make. This would involve continuing safety training for staff and students, ensuring that we maintain clear communication channels during incidents, and maintaining transparency with families when threats or disruptions occur. Unfortunately, with the lockdowns the other week, the district did not do an adequate job communicating with students and parents. I have heard multiple stories of students who didn’t know what was going on and panicked, as well as parents who received nothing but an email and were therefore unsure why their children were placed in lockdown. In addition to real incidents, hoax threats have become increasingly common nationally; the district must respond swiftly while supporting students emotionally in the aftermath. I also believe in a focus on prevention through more substantial mental health resources and peer support systems. Students should also feel empowered to speak up if they notice concerning behavior, and there are options available, such as Safe2Say, that can and do provide help. The goal should not be to create fear, but to build a culture where every student is safe and confident that adults have their back.
Are teachers in the district adequately compensated? If not, what should be done to address that.
Yes, LMSD’s teachers are well-paid compared to most other districts. Still, I believe that they are dealing with many more issues than they should, especially when teachers have to manage the technology usage by students in their classrooms and essentially provide emotional support. The district must ensure that burnout is reduced by hiring sufficient support staff, allocating more planning time to teachers, and streamlining upper administration processes. When teachers have the proper resources and time to focus on teaching, everyone benefits, including students, families, and the district as a whole.
What can the district do to better support students who are struggling in school due to factors outside classrooms, such as food or housing insecurity?
A student’s ability to learn depends heavily on their well-being outside of school. LMSD should strengthen partnerships with local organizations, such as Neighbors Helping Neighbors, to ensure that every child has access to meals, counseling, or after-school support. Free meal programs, counselors, and social workers, as well as offering supervised quiet spaces for students after school, could help level the playing field. They should also work with the union to modify work rules that incentivize teachers to stay after school and work one-on-one with students. The district should also have someone dedicated to helping families navigate available resources, someone who can discreetly and effectively connect those in need of assistance to the help they need. I believe that no student should ever have to choose between focusing on themselves or schoolwork. LMSD should support every aspect of a student’s life, and that could be one of the best investments that we make.