Meet Art Levinowitz, School Board Director and Candidate

With the November 8 election day swiftly approaching, Upper Dublin Patch is on a mission to inform its readers about the background and stances of every single candidate running for office in our township.

We'll present two pieces on every candidate: first an interview on their personal background, followed by a second to find out their viewpoint on key issues. To find which ward you're in, click here.

Art Levinowitz is one of four incumbents who, along with three challenging candidates, are vying for five open spots on the Upper Dublin Board of School Directors. In , in which all candidates crossfiled as both Democrat and Republican, Levinowitz garned the fourth most votes on the Democratic ballot (15.75%), and seventh most (11.95%) on the Republican.

Upper Dublin Patch: What publicly elected offices have you held, and for how long?

Art Levinowitz: I was appointed by the Upper Dublin School Board to serve as its representative to the Eastern Center for Arts & Technology. Two years ago, the eight other board members elected me to serve as its President. (Patch: Art is currently in his third non-consecutive four-year term as an Upper Dublin School Board Member.)

UDP: Can you take a moment to tell our readers a bit about yourself-- where you're from, your education, and your professional and personal achievements?

AL: I grew up in the lower east-side of New York. My mother completed her high school GED while my father did not complete high school. As a first generation college graduate, I truly appreciate the value of education and it was my parents' dream that I attend and graduate from college. I attended the State University of New York at Buffalo where I received a Bachelors Degree and a Masters degree in Music Education.

After college I returned to New York and toured with various Latin and disco bands throughout the United States and South America. (I even toured for a year with a Disco Star named Carol Douglas.) I then decided to settle down (a bit) and taught music in a junior high in Brooklyn, New York. While I was teaching, I completed a Masters degree at Pace University in Educational Administration & Supervision.

After eight years of teaching I was offered a teaching assistant at Temple University and completed a PhD in the Psychology of Music. I met my wife at Temple and we moved to Upper Dublin in 1987. I am very proud of my wife, Lili, who is the co-author of Music Together, a music program for very young children and their caregivers that is currently experienced by over 40,000 families world-wide.

After I completed my studies at Temple University I obtained a position with the New Jersey State Department of Education. In total, I have over 30 years experience in education both as a teacher and administrator; 24 years employed by the New Jersey State Department of Education.

Soon after moving into Upper Dublin, I volunteered. I volunteered for Community Day and have participated in that event since 1992. I twice chaired Community Day. In the early 1990's I served on the district's Educational Advisory Committee (EAC). I also participated in the district's strategic planning process.

I ran and won a seat on the School Board and served from 1995 until 1999. After four years of "sitting on the sidelines", I decided to run again and have served 2 additional four-year terms.  Six years ago I was selected to serve as the Board's representative to Eastern Center for Arts & Technology. Two years ago, I was elected President by the other eight Board representatives. In 2002 I was asked to serve as a director on the Upper Dublin Education Foundation. A few years later, I was elected as its President.

My first love is music and I continue to play my saxophone. I enjoy "sitting in" with both the middle school and high school jazz bands. I also perform with a band when I find the time!

I must apologize for going on about who I am and what I have done but I do hope that I was able to demonstrate to you my strong desire to give back and that I believe that Upper Dublin is a very special place.

UDP: Where do you place yourself on the political spectrum? Are there any key philosophies or issues you hold most important?

AL: I have always been a strong supporter of public education. However, I view myself as being more fiscally conservative that most of my colleagues on the Board.

I would continue to develop and implement strategies to reduce expenditures and increase alternative revenues while maintaining educational excellence. A year ago, the Board appointed a Financial Task Force. It was charged to "develop recommendations to put the school district on a sustainable financial trajectory without sacrificing UDSD's academic excellence."

I am pleased that the district has already implemented many of the recommendations found in the report. We need to look at a "Culture Change" in the district; a "New Normal." I strongly agree with the task force that we need to build a culture of quality improvement that involves all stakeholders in suggesting and implementing ways to improve the District at all levels.

Simply stated, I am more fiscally conservative than most of the other current board members. I am one of the two current Board members who voted against the 4.32% tax increase this past June. During the past budget discussions, as the Co-Chair of the Finance Committee, I urged my colleagues to join me and approve a lower tax increase.

I would continue to develop expanded opportunities and higher expectations for all students and support decisions that support the goal of eliminating the achievement gap in the district.

UDP: Why is it important to you to remain in office?

AL: For once, I have a very short answer -

That's easy - I feel that I have made a difference and I  have contributed in making Upper Dublin a better place. I want to continue that!

Stick with Patch as we continue to speak with candidates. Click for previous interviews. Incumbents in bold.

Upper Dublin Township Commissioners

Ward 1: (R), (D)

Ward 5: (D), (R)

Ward 7: (R), (D)

UDSD School Board

, , , , , , .

Magisterial District Judge

(D), (R)