Meet Salisbury School Board Candidate Christopher J. Spedaliere

Christopher J. Spedaliere

Age: 37

Family: Wife and 3 children

Political party affiliation: Republican

Tell us about your educational background: I have earned a PhD in Biochemistry.

Tell us about your professional/business background:

I have 5+ years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and diagnostics.

Why are you running for school board?

As a parent of STSD students, I am impressed with the direction that the district is going and am excited for the district to continue providing the highest standards of education. My family settled in Salisbury Township for the well-respected school district and the lower taxes (as compared to those of other local municipalities). As school director, I will work to keep taxes low, while supporting a quality education for all students in the district.

What qualifies you to serve on the board?

As a taxpayer and a parent of STSD students, I have a personal stake in the decisions made by the board. My extensive knowledge of science and technology (STEM) issues will aid in the development of a curriculum that will help our students survive in today’s competitive economy.

What do you see as the board's primary role and responsibilities?

The Board’s primary role and responsibility is to the students and the taxpayers.

The Board’s responsibility to the students is to help provide a quality education. I believe the district is moving in the right direction and is providing a quality education by using a combination of traditional teaching methods and new technologies. I will work to keep the school going in this direction.

The Board’s primary responsibility to the taxpayers is to provide this quality education while keeping spending in check. This is not an easy task. The Administrators and Board have been working very hard to keep the budget balanced with increasingly limited resources. I will work to keep the budget balanced and to keep the district running efficiently.

Tell us about 3 major challenges facing the school district and how you would address them. (Please be as specific as possible):

There are many challenges facing the public school system today, first and foremost is school funding. I would address the increasingly limited funding issue by cutting wasteful spending and focusing resources on programs that have a direct impact on the students’ education.

Another issue that the district is already dealing well with is a focus on STEM education. This focus will benefit the students no matter what career choices they eventually make. Regardless of whether the students pursue careers in Science, Technology, Art, Literature, Journalism, or Sports, they will need high-tech skills to succeed. To help the students succeed in today’s world, I plan to continue the push for a focus on the technical aspects of education.

Finally, there is also a push today for the expansion of new programs in the district. With the current levels of funding, it will be very difficult to begin new programs while balancing the budget. Before committing to any new programs, the Board should perform an in-depth cost-benefit analysis and focus only on programs that will have a direct impact on the quality of education for all students.

How much are you spending to run? How is your campaign being funded?

I am not spending any money on this race and have no outside funding sources.

What, if any, endorsements have you received?

My family and friends have all been very encouraging and support me in running.  

Do you use social media? If so, please provide links to your Facebook and Twitter.

            http://www.facebook.com/chris.spedaliere.73