Get to Know Ron Stoloff, Candidate for School Board

Ron Stoloff (D)

Ambler Patch: How would you balance the district budget? Would you use to help balance the budget?

Ron Stoloff: There is a tremendous problem in balancing the Board budget. Fortunately, during good economic times in the past, the Board had the foresight to put money in reserve. It is because of this that the present Board has not had to raise taxes appreciably because they were able to “eat” into this reserve and accounts for our fine bond rating. This money will not last forever but it shows the necessity for the Board to be a sensitive steward of our financial resources. 
However, while there can be expense paring, we must be careful not to cut into important programs that both serve our students so well and make our district especially attractive to people contemplating moving here. If we save money at the sacrifice of programs that help our students our property values will drop, as people will no longer be interested in moving into Wissahickon.

Of course the balancing act is such that we don’t want to raise taxes so high they we drive people out of our District and this is where the necessity of finding ways to reduce spending without weakening the educational value we offer.  

AP: One of the Board goals is to support a “.” How would you help support this goal?

RS: In my high school I was the Technology Coordinator. This means that I was the teacher that advised the school administration on technology purchases, training of students and staff and how to wrap technology into the school educational plan. I would be able to share my experience with my fellow Board members as we make sure that our students will be able to function and prosper in the high technology world they will meet upon graduation. 

AP: This year the Wissahickon School District encountered issues with its . How would you remedy this problem so it doesn’t happen in the future?

RS: The idea was a good one: work with the surrounding school districts to more efficiently move students across District lines as State law requires us to bus students into adjoining districts. Unfortunately, this did not work out as hoped as some districts dropped out early on and some just before schools opened. There should have been contingency plans made in case the best-case scenario did not work out. The disruption that occurred showed that we were not ready for problems. Expecting problems is the best way to avoid them.

AP: Student Achievement is one of the Board’s goals. How would you support this as a board member?

RS: Every student deserves to be served in such a manner that they can achieve to their highest potential. One of the problems today is the emphasis placed on test scores in No Child Left Behind. I have talked to many parents who are unhappy that there is such weight placed on the scores that we are sacrificing such necessities as recess and physical education that are important to make our students rounded human beings. One of our greatest challenges is finding a balance in this.

AP: Transparency and Accountability is important to the residents of the Wissahickon School District. What do Transparency and Responsibility mean to you?

RS: Part of this will be making myself visible and accessible to parents and taxpayers in our District. I will attend Parent Teacher Conferences, Back to School Nights and other school activities. A way that parents can increase their involvement is to attend the Board Subcommittees that meet during the month where there is opportunity to discuss issues with Board members. I would also make the District calendar more accessible on the District web site so visitors to our site do not have to “dig” for information and communicate with at least monthly emails to all District members so there are no “surprises” and everyone has a chance to attend meetings that are of importance to them.