Candidate Profile 2021: Kristin Marcell, Council Rock Director

NEWTOWN, PA — Kristin Marcell, current School Board Director to the Council Rock School District, is a Republican seeking reelection for her position.

The daughter of two Council Rock teachers, Marcell went through the school system herself, graduating in 1995. She was heavily involved in the campaign to save Wrightstown Elementary School from closure in 2014.

Marcell was originally appointed to the Board in 2018, following the resignation of Kyle McKessy. Having held several position in the school district, and having her own children as students of the district, Marcell is committed to ensuring the success of every student in Council Rock.

The general election will take place on Nov. 2.

Here's Marcell's profile, as filled out by the candidate:

Age (as of Election Day)

43

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

My children currently attend Sol Feinstone Elementary after they were redistricted from Wrightstown Elementary School (WES) in 2019.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Both my father and stepmother were teachers in Council Rock - educating children at a number of schools until their retirements.

Education

I graduated from Council Rock High School in 1995, followed by Penn State University in 1999 (bachelors) and George Washington University in 2006 (masters).

Occupation

Public relations (20)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I have been the Council Rock School Director representing Region 9 for the last three years. I was appointed unanimously in 2018 when Kyle McKessy resigned and elected in November 2019. As part of this role, I have served as Vice President of the Board, Finance Committee Co-Chair, Council Rock Education Foundation representative, and Middle Bucks Institute of Technology representative.

Campaign website

http://www.kristinmarcell4crsd...

Why are you seeking elective office?

Prior to joining the Board, I was heavily involved during the Master Capital Planning process in 2014 to help my fellow community members advocate for saving Wrightstown Elementary School from closure and to push for a comprehensive renovation. In addition to wanting to learn more about the difficult financial decisions facing Council Rock as a parent and taxpayer, I also had a strong belief in the importance of community schools that I wanted to ensure was part of the dialogue. Through this process, I was thankful to learn more about demographic data, cost estimates for renovation/construction at various schools and how future Board decisions could impact the Council Rock community, parents and taxpayers.

Afterwards, I remained engaged with the Board and CR Administration on the redistricting process and a number of important issues, as Wrightstown Elementary School’s representative to the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council.

When the previous Board member for the region resigned over three years ago, I interviewed to be appointed to the position because I believed that I would be a positive addition to the Council Rock School Board because of my history in the area and high regard for the Council Rock School District; interest in the future of the district and personal desire to contribute back to the community; professional background that could assist the Board; and belief in the critical importance of education.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Serving in this role during these difficult times has presented many challenges, but I couldn’t be prouder to represent the Wrightstown and Newtown communities on the board. My goal is for the district to focus on what education should be about: ensuring success for every CR student every day - helping to bring out the potential of each individual student in our district.

That’s why I am committed to ensuring success for our students and collaboratively working with future CR Board members to:
-Continue offering CR students 5-day in-person school throughout the remainder of the pandemic
-Protect our property values by supporting CR’s educational excellence, while also creating value for every tax dollar
-Support a modernized approach to education at a fiscally prudent cost, including adding future elementary STEM programs and updating CR’s high school schedule
-Manage rising costs and budget deficits, without sacrificing a first-class education

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

As a Council Rock graduate, community member and parent, I am the only candidate that has been involved with Board issues for years. Prior to joining the Board in 2018, I was heavily involved during the Master Capital Planning process in 2014 to help my fellow community members advocate for saving Wrightstown Elementary from closure and to push for a comprehensive renovation. Afterwards, I remained engaged with the Board and CR Administration on the redistricting process and a number of important issues, as Wrightstown Elementary School’s representative to the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council.

Since attending my first school board meeting over eight years ago, I realized I needed to remain involved to be a part of important decisions being made at the local level by CR’s board. That's why I chose to interview to be appointed to this role over three years ago.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have been the Council Rock School Director representing Region 9 for the last three years. I was appointed unanimously in 2018 when Kyle McKessy resigned and elected in November 2019. As part of this role, I have served as Vice President of the Board, Finance Committee Co-Chair, Council Rock Education Foundation representative, and Middle Bucks Institute of Technology representative.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Whether I was playing sports or studying for a test in school, my dad always told me to “try my best." Essentially, if you give it your all, you won't have any regrets. I continue to repeat this advice to myself often and especially while serving in this role during these difficult times.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Council Rock School District has been an integral part of my life from when I attended kindergarten at Chancellor Street Elementary School to when I graduated from Council Rock High School in 1995. Since I previously lived in Newtown, Newtown Borough, Holland and Churchville during my childhood, I have three siblings that were Council Rock graduates too - from both the North and South high schools. Given this background, I approach all Council Rock decisions as a CR graduate, parent and community member.

Traditionally, School Board Directors have been non-partisan positions which focus on ensuring CR delivers the best education for students, while being good stewards for taxpayers. I have strived to maintain this tradition. I believe I am well prepared to continue to support our district.