Meet School Board Candidate Dorothy 'Patti' Mohr

Dorothy (Patti) Mohr

Age: 70

Family: Husband-Ken, Sons-Jeffrey and Steven, Daughter-in-law-Stephanie, Granddaughter-Parker

Political party affiliation: Democrat

Tell us about your educational background: Attended Public Schools in Philadelphia and in Abington Township-AHS Class of ’61,  BS in Education-Beaver College/Arcadia University ’65,  Graduate work-Temple University ’66-’68

Tell us about your professional/business background: Teacher for 27 years in Upper Moreland, Pennridge, and Northampton Area School Districts

Why are you running for school board?

Upon retirement, I wanted to use my years of experience in Public Education as well as my understanding of the many roles of schools today by serving my community on the Southern Lehigh School Board. Both of my sons received wonderful educations from K through 12 at SL, and I want to do my part to see that the excellence continues.

What qualifies you to serve on the board?

My entire professional and adult life has been devoted to Public Education. I’ve experienced it both as a parent and as a teacher, and bring that unique blend to the Board. I have completed one full term on the Southern Lehigh Board and have served as a member of the Education Committee, as well as on the Board of the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit. I am one of the Board Representatives to the Strategic Planning Committee, and within the past year have been appointed to the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute Board (JOC).

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

Since the 1830’s, Public Education has been provided to the children of Pennsylvania regardless of wealth or status. The role of School Boards is to serve as an intermediary between the state and its mandates and the local districts and its obligation to carry them out. We must deal with employment/labor issues, set policy, represent our community’s values, and be responsible for the local taxation.

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

Southern Lehigh has earned a fine reputation. Many who have moved here, do so because they want to be part of our District. It is not too large and overwhelming, yet it provides excellence and rigor in its well-rounded education, opportunities, and values. Upon Graduation, we will be sending our students to college or the workforce. It is our responsibility to our fellow citizens to be certain that students are prepared for these demands.

1. We must continue the rigor of courses, and the variety of options. This includes a diversity of extra-curricular activities in sports, music and the arts, and volunteerism.

2. Our staff is excellent. They are continually challenged and they in turn challenge themselves. We must make certain that in our efforts to control expenditures, we also maintain course choice options as well as class sizes which allow for the personal involvement of student and teacher which is best for encouraging learning.  

3. It is imperative to be concerned about our fiduciary responsibility. In all ways, we must continue to make certain that we are cognizant of the limitations of our tax base while providing for the futures of our children. During the course of my tenure on the Board, taxes have been increased to a minimum. We are grateful to the academic and fiscal leadership of our administration.

How much are you spending to run? How is your campaign being funded? I am not spending any money on my campaign and therefore require no funding.

What, if any, endorsements have you received? I am not part of any particular group, and have no agenda. I have no endorsements. I ask for the support of those who also believe in the Pursuit of Excellence.

Do you use social media? If so, please provide links to your Facebook and Twitter. I do use social media. (Candidate did not provide any social media links)