Meet School Board Candidate Elizabeth Stelts

Elizabeth "Beth" Stelts

Age:  61

Family:  married, 4 adult children, 5 grandchildren

Political party affiliation:  Republican

Tell us about your educational background:  I have a PhD and MS in Engineering Mechanics and a BS in Applied Math, Engineering and Physics, all from the University of Wisconsin

Tell us about your professional/business background:  

I am retired.  I worked as a Research Engineer, then a Senior Staff Scientist at Sandia National Labs.  In this position I managed a number of projects simultaneously while doing the research required to make the projects successful.  I also served as Executive Director of the Society for Experimental Mechanics, an international organization that is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.  In this position I ran the operation including publishing the journals and organizing the national meetings.  I also oversaw the budget and reported to their Board of Directors.

Why are you running for school board?  

The school district is on the right path and I want to keep it on that path.  The district is doing a very good job of providing our students the opportunity for a good education.  Our students perform very well on state tests.  At the same time we have kept costs under control without cutting programs or furloughing teachers. The district’s finances are in reasonably good shape.  We have an excellent bond rating which acts to reduce our debt service costs.  

What qualifies you to serve on the board?  

While working at Sandia, I developed a program, SUPER! (Science Understanding Promotes Environmental Responsibility).  It was a program for middle and high school teachers.  I also worked with the educational outreach group.  I have worked hard as a school board member on committees and have gotten understand how the district works.  I have served on the board for nearly eleven years and was president for two terms.  During that time, I have served on the Budget and Finance, the Advanced Course Management, Facilities, Technology, and Compensation Committees.  I also serve as a district representative to the board of LCTI (Lehigh Career and Technical Institute).

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

It is extremely important to understand that the board’s role is to govern, not manage the school district. We are responsible for developing policy and setting the course of the district.  The board is responsible for developing district policy, for approving the budget, and hiring the top administrators.  The administration is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations.  

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

The number one and number two challenges are closely tied together.  The Board must carefully manage the district’s finances so that taxpayers are not overwhelmed and that students receive a great education.  Working with the administration, the board must continue to look for ways to cut the budget while not reducing the quality of education.  We look for ways to creatively deliver education and developing in our students the skills required to compete in today’s economy.  The third challenge is to deal with the “wild cards” – things that are out of the control of the district such as PSERS (the state retirement system) and special education requirements.

How much are you spending to run? How is your campaign being funded? I am not spending any money to run for the position

What, if any, endorsements have you received?  none

Do you use social media? If so, please provide links to your Facebook and Twitter.  I do use social media but they are personal, not political and I respectfully decline to provide links.