Election 2023: Judy Finn For New Hope-Solebury School Board

Candidates running in the Nov. 7 general 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.

NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT — Judy Finn is seeking re-election to the New Hope-Solebury School Board. Vying for five open seats on the school board are seven candidates, including John Augenblick (D/R), Montu Patel (D/R), Judy McHenry Finn (D/R), Linda Swedo (D), Nik Hebel (D), Ron Felix (R) and Donald Martin Jr. (R).

Biographical Information

Name: Judy Finn
Age: 50
Town of residence: Solebury
Position sought: School Director, New Hope-Solebury
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Party affiliation: Democratic Party, but n/a for this position as we run on both sides of the ticket.
Family: I am married, mom/stepmom of seven children and two dogs
Education: Nursing degree from St. Luke’s Hospital, School of Nursing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Bachelor of Science degree from Walden University.
Occupation: President - New Hope-Solebury Board of School Directors

Questions

Why are you running?

I grew up 4 miles from where I live now. I have been invested in my community my entire life. I am running for reelection, to protect and maintain the educational environment we have cultivated within our district community, inclusive of teachers, staff, administration, and students. New Hope-Solebury provides a world-class education and I want to continue to shepherd that process.

What do you see as the top issues facing the district and how do you plan to address them?

Our students mental health, first and foremost. We have been systematic and creative in addressing the same social-emotional and mental health needs here New Hope-Solebury that are affecting children nationwide. These interventions are constantly reevaluated and improvements are implemented with the full support of the board.

The future readiness of our district. Our students college and career preparation, facilities maintenance and improvement, maintaining the lowest equalize text, millage rate in Bucks County (one of the lowest in the state) are three important future-forward topics. We continue to support our administration and teachers as they implement our career pathways program. We are creating our ten-year facilities plan as our guide for continued fiscal responsibility.

Our equity work is vital. Every student at New Hope-Solebury deserves the same opportunity to learn and achieve. They deserve equity in opportunity as well as in representation. We will continue to support our teachers as they research the best ways to meet our children where they are. An example of that is our teacher-driven, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS). It’s a privilege to serve the administrators, teachers and staff that research and present creative ways to be inclusive within New Hope-Solebury.

If elected, what would you fight to change or keep the same?

I have been very lucky to serve with intelligent, dedicated board members. What I listed above (our children, our teachers, student mental health, equity work, career readiness, fiscal responsibility) is what influences every vote I make as a board member. I will continue to use those ideals moving forward. That is what I fight for. We have been fortunate at New Hope-Solebury. Other school districts are really suffering right now. We are able to focus on the education of our children in a safe, inclusive, “US News and World Report, too 10 in PA” educational environment. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve.