Meet the Candidates: John Quigley

John Quigley

Running for: Southern Lehigh School Board

Political affiliation: Republican

Residence: Zionsville, 22 years

Education: BS in engineering from Drexel University

Profession/work experience: sales/marketing, currently accounting manager at National Advertising Co.

Elected Position: Southern Lehigh School Board, 12 years

2011 Absences: 2

Committees: Budget & Finance, Policy

Why are you running for your position? In order to speak to the everyday issues of our district.

What would you most like to accomplish if elected? A more analytical approach to the finances of the SL school district; a $50 million enterprise.

FORUM QUESTIONS

Do you support pay freezes for school employees for all positions?

I’ll just say that I am in favor of that. The president of the teachers union asked for a pay freeze. We need to take a look at that. We have to look at all the costs, we’re going to be looking at ballooning pension costs. It would be nice if the teachers union initiated a request for a pay freeze, but it’s something we’re going to have to look at.

Do you think the number of administrators and their salaries has outgrown the district?

I expect we’re going to be looking very closely at just that. We’re going to see a significant change with administrators in the next couple of years that are going to retire. We need to see if we can try and remove some of the redundancy and overlap that we have.

Do you see a need for a teachers union?

I don’t know how to answer that. At one point it was a necessary evil. I’ve never questioned the need for it. That’s not even something that could be considered. It’s here. I’ve always been uncomfortable during contract negotiations. We never talk with teachers at a local level, but with a representative. That’s one of the things I'm uncomfortable with but I would never advocate the disband of the union.

Do you support charter schools and school vouchers?

I’m in favor of both charter schools and vouchers. I have to assume everyone here is here because they have children in school. If the opportunity exists for them to have a better opportunity they should have that opportunity. Charter schools have produced some excellent results. We have to allow them. We have no choice. When they set that tax rate you pay it; we should at least have the choice on how to allocate those funds.

If you were faced between making cuts that would negatively affect education or increase property taxes what would you do?

I don’t think it’s really one or the other. It’s a misconception that the more you spend the more you get back. I think the School Board has done an excellent job, particularly in the last year, at looking at how that money is spent. We have a good administration, great teachers, good parents. We don’t have to spend more money to get better results.

What would you do to improve cooperation with township supervisors?

I live in Lower Milford so I don’t have the interaction with the Upper Saucon Board of Supervisors. I’ve met them and they’re all good people, so I don’t know why there is this friction between those two groups. I hope the relationship improves. I think that’s one of the first things we have to address. I don’t think that’s going to continue. I think we know on both sides that that has to improve.

Studies have shown nutrition affects school performance. Do you believe the food service program should be changed?

Not being a nutritionist I don’t know how to answer that. I put a great deal of faith in our food service manager. It has been brought to my attention. Our administration is aware of it, we are looking into it. I try to do as many things as possible on the School Board, but I’m not equipped to handle questions of nutrition.

You have mentioned salaries but what are some other cuts that need to be made?

The pensions -- the cost is pretty significant. That’s going to quintuple in the next couple of years. That’s a train wreck coming. In the past I’ve suggested a great way to generate revenue is to get corporate sponsorship. The board has opposed this consistently because they don’t want a company’s name on any of our buildings or on our fields. I think corporate sponsors would love to be involved.

How important is it to attend school board meetings and serve on committees?

As far as attending meetings that’s what you do. How important is it for the community? That’s equally important. Members of the board act with knowledge we have without knowing information from the community. Whenever we make the wrong decision people show up, and let us know, but I would like to see more people, hear more input, so we know in which direction to go.

How would you bring cyber school/charter school students back?

The charter and cyber schools are an option. It pretentious of us to demand parents send a child to our schools. Those schools fill a vacuum. We can’t tell the parent you have to do it this way. Our funding comes from the parents. If parents want to send their child to a charter school, they should have the opportunity to do so.

What is the state percentage of surplus dollars allowed per district?

Certainly we have a good buffer. I have voted against every tax increase in the past 10 years. I am  embarrassed to say we overtaxed  the people of Southern Lehigh to the point where we have an $18 million surplus. We have plans to start tapping into that. I am embarrassed to say we have overtaxed the people of Southern Lehigh. We have not been responsible in return in revenue.