Meet Your School Board Candidates

In light of the press conference naming the we attempted to contact all the candidates yesterday to get a last minute statement from each to let voters know who they are and what's on their minds.

We received three replies by press time. Though the views of the local Tea Party Republican candidates were broadcast early last month of their own, we invite them, and unopposed incumbent Eugene McKeon to submit a statement and their vital statistics so we can add them for the edification of voters.

We asked each candidate to provide the voters with some vital statistics and a brief statement to voters, no longer than 150 words, summing up their views. Reference to opponents was not allowed. Their replies are below, in no particular order.

Candidates answers are in regular type, our questions (and an occasional addition for clarification) are in italics.

For District 2

Age: 20

Neighborhood of residence and number of years here: West Bethlehem 15 years/ Center city 5 Years

Do you have children in the district or relatives who work for the district?: I have no children in the district, but I do have several members of my family within the district as students.

Political affiliation: Cross Filed (received local Democratic Party endorsement)
Education: I attended Clearview Elementary School, Nitschmann Middle School, Liberty High School (Class of 2008), Northampton Community College (one semester), Moravian College.

Profession/Work experience: I have worked as an Intern for State Senator Lisa Boscola and U.S Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr.

Community/Volunteer Organizations: I have coached wrestling as a volunteer at West Bethlehem, Nitschmann, Northeast, and Dieruff High School. I have volunteered as a tutor/ mentor at Freemansburg and Donegan since graduating.

Any special qualifications?: I recently received the “President Volunteer Service Award” for donating 2,500 hours of my own time this year alone to the students at Donegan Elementary School. I am a life long resident of Bethlehem, and I know the community and culture.

My friends, over the last few weeks, months, and years our district has begun moving in the wrong direction. A direction in, which is no longer in the best interest of our children, our school district employees, or even our community.

I am sure you are wondering how a 20-year-old college student can help our struggling district rise above it’s current state of disaster. Well, the answer is very simple. I know first hand the problems within our current education system. I have witnessed what works and what does not work first hand as a district graduate of the class of 2008 and as a district volunteer for the past several years. I have been in the shoes of the children of this district. I have looked into their eyes and I have seen their burning desire to learn and grow.

My friends, our children are our future, and it is time that we stand up and give our children the support they need to succeed.

Age: 49

Neighborhood of residence and number of years here: Resident of Hanover Township, Northampton County, for 17 years

Do you have children in the district or relatives who work for the district?: Two children who have graduated from the district, and one child who is currently a student in the district.

Political Affiliation: Democrat

Education: B.S. in Finance, Villanova University, 1984; Juris Doctor. University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1987

Profession/Work Experience: Non-practicing licensed PA attorney; practiced commercial finance law for 8 years; currently a homemaker

Community/Volunteer Organizations: Member of BASD School Board since July 2007

The School Board and the district's administration have worked hard to keep costs under control, balance the budget for next year, and set aside an appropriate fund balance. Moving forward, we need to continue to keep a close eye on finances while remembering that the purpose of the school district is to provide an excellent education for each and every student. I am an advocate for a curriculum that challenges students to perform at the very top of their ability level. We need to make sure that the courses students need today to be competitive in their careers or their higher education are available to them. It is important that by our actions we show the students of the school district that all of us—teachers, administrators, and school board—are there to support them in their success.

for District 2

Age:60

Neighborhood of residence and number of years here: 34

Do you have children in the district or relatives who work for the district?: Daughters, graduated from the Bethlehem school district

Political affiliation: Democratic

Education: BS Columbia University, MS Columbia University, MBA Lehigh University, additional private school certification in PA for Math and Chemistry, Public School certification in NJ for Math and Business,

Profession/Work experience: Engineer Bethlehem Steel, Business Manager Lucent Technologies, Adjunct Professor Gwynedd Mercy College

Community/Volunteer Organizations: Bethlehem Democratic Committee Member

Any special qualifications?: Part I CFA designation

I have the professional and educational background in all areas of the school district that can be helped. I have two daughters who had a wonderful education from the Bethlehem school district. I was fortunate to get a very good education because of the system of education here. This is my way of giving something back to the society that has given me and my daughters a good education.

There is no way we can put a value on the education and be short sighted. Need to provide the teachers all the tools that is required to do the job properly.

I think the district should focus on the behavior aspect of the students. The school district is trying to contain the disciplinary issues of the district by neglecting the rights of the balance 90 percent of the students. Since I have done substituting in the district, most of the problems are caused by a minority of the students.

Also, I am against trying to cut the honors programs, as we need keep challenging the upper end of the spectrum. It should be an all-inclusive system.