Five candidates are vying for nominations for four seats on the Line Mountain School Board, but three of them face no primary opposition and are therefore virtually assured of election in November.
Line Mountain elects its school directors by region, rather than districtwide. In Regions 1 and 3, the candidates are running unopposed.
In Region 2, which is comprised of Jackson, Jordan and Lower Mahanoy townships, the candidates for one open seat are Janice R. Stutts and incumbent Dennis W. Erdman. Erdman, who cross-filed on both the Republican and Democratic ballots, has a clear road to a Republican nomination as the only candidate, but on the Democratic side, he is challenged by Stutts.
There are two board seats on the ballot for Region 1, which includes Herndon Borough and Little Mahanoy, Upper Mahanoy, Lower Augusta and Washington townships. Seeking election are incumbents Lawrence I. Neidig and Ronald H. Neidig. Ronald Neidig was appointed to the board in March 2012 to fill a vacancy. Both candidates cross-filed on the Democratic and Republican ballots.
The only candidate for a board seat from Region 3 is Daniel Zablosky, who was appointed to the board Jan. 8 of this year to fill a vacancy after Denise Clouser resigned. Zablosky cross-filed on both Democratic and Republican ballots. Region 3 includes Zerbe and West Cameron townships.
The News-Item invited Line Mountain candidates to respond to four questions, and their responses are published below.
1. Suppose the board, having already eliminated waste and still needing to balance the budget, had to choose between cutting educational programs or increasing property taxes. What course would you pursue?
Dennis W. Erdman: We have already confronted this problem of eliminating programs by having teachers obtain certification in areas beyond their initial area of expertise. Unfortunately, tough decisions have to be made at times to furlough employees due to monetary constraints from Harrisburg and taxpayer concerns. Government has hundreds of unfunded mandates that are forced onto school districts that require us to raise local taxes at times, as unpopular as the subject is.
Lawrence I. Neidig: My position has always been to provide the best opportunity for learning at a reasonable cost. I am a firm believer in providing employees a comfortable atmosphere to work, supply the tools to perform their duties and expect results - in this case, a well-educated student. The influx of electronics into our society has changed the way we do things in our private life.
I believe the process of education will continue to make dramatic changes in the next five years. This change has already entered the classroom and will drastically change the way we provide education in the immediate future.
If this increases the costs of education, it will be a small cost to provide my neighbors with an opportunity for a better lifestyle.
Ronald H. Neidig: I feel that the most important duty of a school board director is ensuring that the students of the Line Mountain School District receive the best education possible. With this said, I would keep the educational programs and choose to raise taxes.
Janice R. Stutts: To balance the school budget, my decision as a board member to reject education programs or increase property taxes would be decided with an open mind. I would not be persuaded by peer board members, but (in making) conscious choices that require analysis for the future prosperity of our children and taxpayers, I need to consider and ensure the needs, plus the concerns, of taxpayer citizens with the competence to vision the long-term implications of my decisions.
Furthermore, I desire to establish a strong relationship with board members, school staff and the community to adequately represent the taxpayers' concerns.
In order to reduce some education programs and vote "no" to raise property taxes, I would review the district's education funding and budget expenditures during the past four years. The 2012-13 budget is shortfalled by project overexpenditures. Blame the school board or blame the taxpayers? Democracy flourishes during election time. If you are unhappy and want fresh ideas, vote for me.
Daniel Zablosky: First, let me state it's my business experience that waste of some sort always exists. The challenge is to keep looking when all the obvious things are eliminated. Secondly, I believe in creative solutions. There is more than one way to provide a quality education and be fiscally responsible at the same time.
2. If a parent, teacher or ordinary citizen alerted you, as an individual board member, about a potential problem in the school district, how would you go about addressing this concern?
Erdman: I would direct the person to go through the chain of command as a parent, teacher or taxpayer with their concern. It's not the role of a school board member to micromanage the superintendent of schools and constantly be in his/her office telling them how to do their job. We hire a superintendent because of their qualifications; that's their area of expertise. If the issue is not resolved, the full board and superintendent will then address the concern and make a decision as to how to handle the potential problem.
L. Neidig: In order for an organization to function, it is essential to follow a "chain of command." When I am made aware of a potential concern, my response will be to instruct the person to discuss the issue first with the employee involved, and if not resolved to satisfaction, talk to the next person in the chain. If the issue involves a teacher, the next steps would be building principal, superintendent, etc. If the issue still is not resolved, the person has the opportunity to present the issue to the board at one of their regular meetings. Depending on the issue, I may privately discuss it with the superintendent.
R. Neidig: The school district has a policy on reporting issues/concerns. This policy is to make sure that the proper chain of command is followed. I would direct the individual to follow this policy.
Stutts: The question is vague, (with) no details concerning the potential problem. However, I believe the problem to be "unethical behavior" by a board member who pursues particular favors for siblings or friends, all accusations regarding board members that may compromise the Pennsylvania School Board Code of Ethics and an independent investigation.
Board policy does not allow personnel matters to be publicized. Therefore, the public never hears the complete account of the problem.
In the end, the board member's "unethical behavior" was unsubstantiated by the teacher's unfounded claims and attacks, which caused the board distractions instead of serving the interests of the students and staff.
My school board job is to hear the residents' concerns, provide support and solutions to problems and state them to the superintendent.
Zablosky: I bring it directly to the superintendent so he is aware. It has been my experience the responsible administrator responds back to with more information or a resolution. If, for example, it was a property issue, I would look at it firsthand. If unresolved, I would then bring it to my fellow board members. Finally, it's a priority to report back to the concerned party.
3. In what specific area (financial, academics, extra-curricular activities) does the Line Mountain School District most need improvement?
Erdman: The Line Mountain School District has an exceptional administration, professional teaching staff and classified personnel staff that are doing a great job. We have hired people by their qualifications and commitment to go the extra mile and have us be LM-proud. Unlike government that is very inefficient and wasteful with our tax dollars, the residents of the Line Mountain School District are getting their bang for their buck.
L. Neidig: I am happy with the balance in Line Mountain's programs. I believe the subjects of arts, music and athletics, in addition to a strong academic opportunity, are important to the whole education of our children.
R. Neidig: I feel that there is always room for improvement. I am not aware of any specific issues in any of these categories, but I will work with the other school board directors and the school's administration on any of their concerns.
Stutts: Academics are crucial to "prepare our students for success."
Approving large projects, the overspending, closing two schools to save money, then obtaining loans for millions of dollars to pay for these projects and staff supplies is reckless and bad decision-making. Laying off staff, cutting programs and potentially increasing property taxes hurt our children and force families into poverty. The continued budget shortfall must stop. The taxpayers' voices must be heard and represented at school board meetings. These situations leave me with an empty feeling, and I am compassionate about the taxpayers to help me bolster our school budget and bring forth new thinking and ideas to the school board table.
Zablosky: I think all areas need to be thought of as in need of continuous improvement. Our administrators currently are performing well. However, I think they would all say they were striving to do better in all areas. Continuous improvement is what drives all successful organizations and our public schools are no exception.
4. What is the primary motivation behind your decision to run for the school board?
Erdman: Having been in all areas of education for 44 years (34 as a teacher, two in administration and eight on a school board), a school board member needs to look at the whole picture as to best prepare our children to be productive, contributing members of society. Over the years, I have seen many school board members with tunnel vision who only focus on one self-centered agenda. It's important to have as much information as possible before making a decision. Having served on the school board for eight years, I have come to accept the fact that you can't please everyone, regardless of how hard you try.
L. Neidig: My education and professional background involves 25 years as a public school business administrator in a neighboring district. For board candidates with little exposure to school administration, there is a learning curve that can take a considerable time for them to feel comfortable in their newly elected position. When I went to elections six years ago, I discovered there were no candidates listed for a school board position. With my background, I felt guilty and the need to participate. At the next regular election, I chose to run for a vacancy and have thoroughly enjoyed the last years serving.
R. Neidig: I currently have one son in school, and my second son will be starting kindergarten next school year. I want to make sure they receive the best education possible and want to be involved in making this happen.
Stutts: Community involvement. The negativity of the district's taxpayers, plus the continued overspending and bad decision-making on budget issues, disturb me and create disparity in our community. I believe we can bolster our district's unity and create an affordable budget that will enhance our children's academic achievement and unleash the burden on our district's taxpayers to reinvigorate our school's support system.
Zablosky: I have two children in the district, and the district is the midst of a cycle of change. In the current business climate, those who change, succeed, and those who don't, fail. I think I can help facilitate positive change. It is also the school board's job to set policy and plan for the future. I believe I have the qualities to help in both of these areas.