Six candidates are vying for four seats on the Oley Valley School Board in the Nov.4 general election.
Ballots will feature three incumbents and three challengers. Two of the candidates will appear as both Democrats and Republicans, two will appear as Democrats and two will appear as Republicans.
The six are competing for four-year seats on the board.
The Reading Eagle asked each of the candidates the following questions.
Question 1: What characteristics do you possess that make you a good candidate to serve on a school board?
Question 2: What is the biggest challenge your district is currently facing and how would you address it?
Here are their responses. Incumbents denoted with an asterisk.
*Andrew C. Kline
Andrew Kline
Party: Democrat/Republican
Age: 23
Occupation: Municipal traffic engineer
Response 1: While I may be young compared to most candidates, I strongly believe that I have the prerequisite experience to successfully continue serving the Oley Valley community. Primarily, I am the only current board member and candidate with recent, firsthand experience in our schools. That unique perspective is critical for the board as we debate and plan for the future of education.
Additionally, I offer a strong background in fiscal responsibility, leadership and policy writing, which are critical skills for board members to possess. I am involved in a variety of professional and community organizations which have allowed me to refine these skills. Additionally, as a professional in the civil engineering industry, I have been taught critical thinking skills, enhancing my ability to make informed decisions. If elected, I will apply this knowledge and these skills to make informed decisions for the betterment of our community.
Response 2: All of our biggest challenges in the Oley Valley are related to managing the district’s budget, while protecting all of our taxpayers. Our facilities are aging, there is a need to attract and retain high-quality staff, and we have a strong desire to maintain all of our top-notch programs and equipment. If we want the best for our students, we must be willing to invest in the best staff, the best equipment and the best programs. But that comes at a cost that we need to balance in our annual budget.
As a school director, I am continuously mindful of who we are asking to pay the bill. For every expense we approve, it is people like you and me, my neighbors, who I am asking to contribute. In the Oley Valley community, that includes many farmers and older individuals who face fixed incomes. I have already begun working with the district’s administration and my board colleagues to identify innovative solutions for these issues, and I look forward to partnering with the four municipalities in the Oley Valley to collectively address these issues.
My commitment is to fight for the best for our students, while protecting our taxpayers.
Donald Haas
Donald Haas
Party: Democrat
Age: 44
Occupation: Branch manager and landscape architect at Bogia Engineering Inc.
Response 1: The characteristic I possess that would make me a good candidate is I don’t bring ego to the table. As school board director, my job would be to represent the interest of the students, the teachers and the residents and not my own personal agenda. I want to see less conflict on the board and more cooperation.
A rising tide raises all ships, and we should be lifting each other up and supporting each other instead of tearing each other down. There will always be disagreements, but they shouldn’t rise to the level of making it into the media. I want to make the school board meetings boring again. It’s about running the business of the district and not national politics. It’s about the safety and education of the students and not chasing the latest hot-button topic for Facebook likes.
The students in the district are doing wonderful things and we need to be celebrating their achievements better as well.
Response 2: There are two challenges I see currently facing the district is the conflict on the board I noted and taxes.
Everyone knows paying that tax bill is tough, especially in times of economic uncertainty. The district has a responsibility to educate the children and there are extensive costs with running the schools. It’s a hard balance of doing right by the community with the children, and doing right by the community with their tax dollars.
I’d like to see the district working with the municipalities to encourage some more commercial growth and expand that tax base to lessen the burden on the residents. I’d also like to see the school pursue every alternate funding source and grant possible. I’d also be looking to see if there is anywhere we can work to eliminate waste or overspending.
Jodie L. Kline
Party: Democrat
Age: 50
Occupation: Elementary school teacher
Response 1: I am a career public school educator with over 28 years of experience. I have worked my entire life in public schools. I know how schools work, what is needed and what is wasted. I can bring this experience with me to be an effective school director.
I have a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in urban education and a master’s of education degree in instructional technology. I was previously appointed and served on the Oley Valley School Board for seven months to fill an open seat.
I have helped write and implement individualized education plans, discipline plans and differentiated instruction. I have written curriculum. I have implemented the PSSA tests. I have been on the interview committee for teachers, principals and a superintendent. I helped negotiate the last six five-year contracts in my district.
Response 2: The budget is the biggest challenge our school district faces. We want every possible available option for the best educational experience for our students, however, we need to be financially responsible with spending and creative with revenue ideas.
Putting the work in to find and apply for grants could be one way to help keep our district running at the highest level while still keeping the taxes as low as possible for the community. I plan to work with the current administration to find creative ways to address the budget issues that arise.
Darrell L. Markley
Party: Democrat/Republican
Did not provide a response.
*Zachary Moore
Party: Republican
Did not provide a response.
Jeff Boyd
Party: Republican
Did not provide a response.
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