19-Year-Old, Graduate Of Norristown HS, Plans Run For School Board

NORRISTOWN, PA -- A 19-year-old Temple University student and graduate of Norristown Area High School is running for school board.

John Maxey, who graduated from Norristown in 2016, says that his candidacy is about inspiring young people to get involved in politics at the local level.

"This is the best way for a voice to be heard and change to be made in a community," he says in his candidate profile on his website.

Maxey, who is a political science major at Temple, comes from a family intimately familiar with the Norristown education system: his mother has worked in the district since 2003, and he and his sister Rachel attended school in the district from kindergarten through 12th grade.

"Having graduated from Norristown Area High School only last year, (I have) a perspective of the district that the Board has never heard before," Maxey adds."Students, staff, and the faculty will appreciate a voice that understands the district from firsthand experience."

Maxey's platform includes increased efforts to reach out to Latino and LGBTQ minorities, improved communication between the school district and the community, and many specific educational changes. For example, he advocates for the return of the foreign language program to the middle school, and an overhaul of the elementary school language arts program.

Maxey is on the primary ballot as both a Democrat and Republican, as are many of the other candidates. His challengers include: Jamila Winder, Turea Hutson, Kathleen A. T. Bello, John C. Holland, Shae Ashe, Michael Melnyk, Pamela J. Assenmacher, Ken Christovich, and Matt Rivera.

The primary elections in Pennsylvania will be held on May 16, and the general election is on November 7.

Image via JohnMaxey2017.com