Election 2023: Republican Joseph Hidalgo For Council Rock 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.

COUNCIL ROCK — Incumbent Republican Joseph Hidalgo is seeking re-election to the Council Rock School Board in Region 4. He is facing a challenge from Democrat Matthew Laskowski.

Biographical Information

Name: Joe Hidalgo

Age: 50

Town of residence: Richboro, PA

Position sought: Council Rock School Director, Region 4

Are you an incumbent? Yes

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Jenny is my wife of 21 years, we have three school aged children and a rescue dog Buddy Boy. One child attend Holland Middle School, One child attends CR High School South and our CR graduate currently attends Penn State – Schreyer Honors College.

Education: BS Environmental Science, University of Delaware; Chartered Financial Consultant™, The American College

Occupation: Financial Planner, Hidalgo Financial Services.

Questions

Why are you running?

My decision to run again for this position is firmly rooted in a deep commitment to the success of our students and educators. I have personally observed the paramount importance of maintaining open schools and safeguarding our community from any distractions or issues that detract from our core mission of providing a quality education for all. I am resolute in my confidence that by continuing in this direction, we can achieve the following goals: Sustaining Quality Education, Promoting Student Well-being, Enhancing Community Engagement and Fiscal Responsibility. By re-electing me, you can be confident that I will work tirelessly to fulfill these objectives and help our schools thrive.

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

The primary concern that demands our attention is the holistic development of every child, with a keen focus on addressing learning gaps, promoting well-being, and fostering happiness. It's been my steadfast belief that the contented child is more receptive to learning. To this end, we must cultivate an environment that nurtures self-respect and respect for others, irrespective of our differences. Embracing and celebrating our diversity is paramount, as it is precisely these distinctions that fortify our nation. In a different vein, we must also confront the systemic challenges that our country faces, particularly the economic fluctuations. Balancing our budget responsibly while equipping our administration with the necessary tools and resources to maintain and elevate the quality of educational services is an ongoing, delicate endeavor. I remain committed to leveraging my financial background to propose multifaceted solutions, adopting a strategic approach to tackle these issues comprehensively.

Finally, I've become increasingly aware of an intense and negative political campaign within our local community, directed against its very members. It's essential to remember that long after the elections, we all have to coexist in this community. I'm deeply concerned that this kind of hostility among neighbors threatens our community's social fabric. I pledge to combat bullying and hold those responsible for their misconduct accountable.

What policies would you change, revise, delete or retain and why?

I would retain policy 109. I've recently become aware of a negative campaign that employs fear-inducing terminology like "book-banning." It's essential to clarify that the board currently has a 6-3 Republican majority, which means they have the ability to advance policies as they see fit. To the best of my recollection, there has never been a split vote on any matter related to books during my tenure. Policy 109 was unanimously modified by all members of both parties. Since when did party matter on the school board anyway? I urge you not to be swayed by baseless allegations of potential book banning. If the majority has not pursued such actions thus far, there's little reason to believe they would do so in the future.

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

I am dedicated to upholding and strengthening the "Students First Always" initiative by offering unwavering support to our new administration's approach, philosophy, and expertise in the field of learning and education. It is imperative that we confront the learning setbacks resulting from the unfortunate COVID-induced school closures head-on. These closures were an unnecessary disruption for our students, and it is our responsibility to address and mitigate the impact on their education.

Furthermore, I'm committed to advocating for increased educational transparency and empowering parents with more effective tools to support their children's learning from home, especially those families with IEPs. Additionally, I will persist in my efforts to explore avenues for providing tax relief to senior citizens living on fixed incomes. They have contributed significantly to our community and deserve our support.