Election 2023: Deborah King For Bensalem Township School Board

Candidates running in the May 16 primary election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —Deborah King is running for the Bensalem Township School Board in the May 16 primary election.

King —and all the school board candidates —has cross-filed to run on the Republican and Democratic tickets.

King is one of 10 candidates vying for five, four-year school board terms along with school board members Eric Price, Marc Cohen, and Heather Nicholas, and challengers Rebecca Mirra, Bryan Hanratty, Stephanie Ferrandez, Karen Winters, Cathy Dress, and Jim Kane.

Biographical Information

Name: Deborah King

Age: 42

Town of residence: Bensalem

Position sought: School Board Director

Are you an incumbent? No

What Towns Does Your Position Cover? Bensalem and Trevose

Party affiliation: Democrat (However, all 10 candidates are cross-registered for both primaries.)

Family: Married with two children, both in the Bensalem School District

Education: The College of New Jersey, Bachelor in Science and Nursing, Drexel University MSN, MEd, dual masters in Nursing and Education, Ph.D. student 3rd year, at Villanova University

Occupation: Clinical Assistant Professor at Villanova University

1. What are the top issues currently facing your position and how do you plan to address them?

Ensuring the safety of students and staff is of paramount importance. This includes addressing issues such as school violence, bullying, and drugs. Improving ELA and math proficiency scores is crucial for ensuring that students have the foundational skills needed to succeed in higher education and the workforce.

Developing and implementing an effective and engaging curriculum that meets the needs of all students is essential for fostering a love of learning and ensuring academic success. The restructuring and upgrading of the middle schools will be a significant undertaking and that will require continued planning, collaboration with stakeholders, and adequate funding. Lastly, ensuring that there are enough bus drivers to transport students safely to and from school is critical.

2. Identify specific goals or ideas you have to enhance life in your position:

With the ongoing rise of safety concerns within school districts, investing in programs that promote a positive school culture and address issues such as bullying and school violence. Our ELA and Math proficiency Scores need to improve. Developing strategies for early intervention and targeted support to help struggling students, improving teacher training and development, and providing resources such as tutoring and after-school programs. In addition to having busing services for elementary schools after school programs.

Engaging with educators and students to identify gaps in the curriculum and develop effective strategies to address them. Emphasizing creative and critical thinking skills. We need to continue with a comprehensive plan for restructuring and upgrading the middle schools and the High School outdoor facilities and fields.

Finally, our bus drivers. We need to explore innovative solutions such as partnerships with local authorities, increasing driver pay and benefits, and implementing recruitment and retention strategies to sustain our bus drivers and provide adequate transportation for our children to and from school.

3. What is your experience or background prepares you for election to office?

My experience of being a school nurse RN, educator, and advocate for community organizations can provide a unique perspective on the issues facing the school board position. I have worked within the Bensalem school district to see the inter-workings of the teachers, staff, nurses, and students. There is a need for more nurses within each school as well as more instructional aides and assistants.

My experiences can help develop solutions that prioritize students' well-being and success and can help me effectively communicate with educators, parents, and community members. Additionally, my experience in healthcare and community organizations has given me knowledge of budgeting, governance, and collaboration skills that can be valuable for managing school resources and partnerships.