Five candidates are seeking nominations for seats on the Southern Columbia Area School Board.
There are actually six separate elections for the board: One for two four-years terms elected at large (districtwide); one two-year term to be elected at large; one in Region I; one in Region II for a four-year term; one in Region II for a two-year term, and one in Region III.
As allowed by law, some board candidates are running in multiple races. Here's the breakdown of candidates:
- At large, four-year terms, two to be elected - Joseph Klebon, Mike Yeager and Charles E. Porter, filed in both the Democratic and Republican primaries.
- At large, four-year term, one to be elected - Gail Zambor Schuerch and Charles E. Porter, both Democratic and Republican.
- Region I (Ralpho Township), one seat - Klebon and Yeager, both Democratic and Republican.
- Region II (Catawissa and Catawissa Township), one seat, four-year term - Charlene Cove filed as a Democrat; no Republicans filed.
- Region II, two-year term - No Democrats or Republicans filed.
- Region III (Cleveland, Franklin, Locust and Roaring Creek townships), one seat - Zambor Schuerch and Porter, Democratic and Republican.
Four of the five candidates - Yeager, Porter, Cove and Zambor Schuerch - are incumbents.
The News-Item invited Southern Columbia candidates to respond to four questions. Four out of five candidates responded. Their responses follow:
QUESTION No. 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?
Charlene Cove: I would not choose to cut educational programs. I would only vote to raise taxes if we as a board have done everything possible to lower school operating expenses and staff expenditures.
Joseph Klebon: I would advise to again review where to cut waste because I believe there is always more wasteful spending that can be cut. Until all of these areas have been very carefully researched and examined, then educational programs and property tax would be open for review. I am not in favor of cutting educational programs or raising property taxes. There may be a need to address both areas to balance a budget, but only until all other avenues have been thoroughly exhausted.
Gail Zambor Schuerch: Increasing property taxes. Reason - because children are our future and they have to come first, always. It is very unfortunate that raising taxes is about the only avenue left to balance the budget other than cutting educational programs.
Mike Yeager: The first thing to understand about this question is that the first responsibility of school boards is to provide for the education of the students. The situation posed in this question has been the major focus of the Southern Columbia School Board for the last several years. What we have done, and I believe correctly, is to evaluate all programs, including educational, and determine their importance and value to the overall education of our students. We have reduced the size or scope of programs offered in order to reduce costs. It has also been necessary to increase property taxes when we have determined that it would adversely affect the education of our students. I believe that a combination of restructuring educational programs and increasing property taxes is required. If the education of the Southern Columbia students was to be negatively affected be cuts, I would be in favor of increasing property taxes in order to maintain educational programs.
QUESTION No. 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?
Cove: If a teacher, student or citizen brought an issue to my attention, I would discuss the issue with the school superintendent or building principal and allow them to resolve the issue. If the issue remains, it should then be brought to the board's attention.
Klebon: A "potential problem" could mean a variety of different issues that a school deals with on a daily basis. From my experiences in public education and in dealing with these issues, there are numerous factors to consider and understand, and every school district has procedures in place to handle whatever situation that may occur. I have the experience, knowledge and expertise to discern just exactly what the severity and complexity of the problem is and the appropriate avenues to pursue in making sure that it is addressed as soon as possible. Students' safety and well-being will always be top priority.
Zambor Schuerch: I would tell them to go through the proper channels, which would be speaking to the individual or individuals that it concerns first, and if that does not solve the problem, to move up the ladder.
Yeager: I would first listen to the individual's concerns. I would then inform them there is a process they should follow in order to address their concerns. The process involves a chain of command; that is, the concerns should be discussed at the lowest level first, the teacher or coach level. If they feel their concerns are not heard, the next step is the supervisor or principal, then superintendent and, lastly, the school board. I would also alert the administration. It is important for board members to remember they have no power as individuals and can only function as a group. The only time a board member should get involved is when a situation or concern comes to the board level.
QUESTION No. 3:
In what specific area (financial, academics, extra-curricular activities) does the Southern Columbia Area School District most need improvement?
Cove: With a challenging and ever-changing local economy, we should always be looking to improve our financial situation without negatively impacting education. I believe in the importance of extra-curricular activities to motivate a student and keep them engaged in school. We have an excellent football program. I would like to make available the same level of opportunity for our music, drama and arts programs.
Klebon: Southern Columbia Area School District does a good job in all of these areas, but I do believe there is room for improvement in all three, and I feel some areas need to be addressed and changes need to be made for the improvement of the district, particularly in the financial area.
Zambor Schuerch: Even though we are doing a good job academically, I believe this is where we still need the most improvement simply because the United States as a whole has been slipping behind academically compared to other nations for years. This goes back to Question No. 1, why I choose raising taxes over cutting educational programs.
Yeager: I believe that Southern Columbia Area School District has been doing very well academically for many years thanks to the hard work and dedication of its staff and administration, as well as the effort and enthusiasm of the parents/guardians of our students. Likewise, our extra-curricular activities have provided our students with outstanding opportunities to enhance their education on many levels. I also believe the administration and school board have done an excellent job maintaining costs and have constantly looked for ways to be more efficient and cost-effective. I believe Southern Columbia students have ranked at or near the top academically while the cost per pupil is one of the lowest locally. All this being said, the area that is of most concern is the financial. With decisions that have been made at the state level, it has become very difficult to cover expenses and maintain programs.
QUESTION No. 4:
What is the primary motivation behind your decision to run for the school board?
Cove: My children have received an excellent education at Southern Columbia and both were fortunate to have benefited from enriching extra-curricular activities. I would like to preserve these opportunities for current and future students.
Klebon: It is very simple - helping students. It's all about the students. I believe I have the skills, ideas and knowledge necessary to make a positive difference. Schools are all about helping students and making them the best that they can be so they can reach their goals, be prepared to enter a highly competitive world and be productive citizens and good people.
Zambor Schuerch: I see that we are all living in a very competitive global marketplace. Even though we live in a rural community, we are affected by what goes on globally whether we want to believe it or not. It is critical that our children are prepared to compete and succeed no matter where they choose to live. Taking responsibility for self, society and ethical economy, I would also like to see more done to teach our students to be responsible for the environment. Air, water, soil, forest and weather are important for our living and a good environment positively affects everyone's living.
Yeager: I believe the education of our children is the single most important task of our society. To thrive and continue to flourish in this global economy, it is imperative we have an educated population. With that in mind, I believe my knowledge and expertise associated with education will be an asset. I also believe it is important to give back to the local community.