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BELLEFONTE -- Eleven candidates through the Bellefonte Area School District are looking to have their name placed on the November ballot in the upcoming Primary Election.
Five seats will be up for grabs, with a variety of candidates featuring incumbents and newcomers. All eleven candidates have crossfiled and will appear on the Democrat and Republican ballots.
The League of Women Voters of Centre County once again compiled capsules for area races -- including the BASD race.
The material seen here was compiled by the candidates and the League of Women Voters of Centre County (LWVCC) with assistance from the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. Each candidate's reply has been printed as submitted by the candidate.
Candidates were invited to participate in the Vote411 online voter's guide via email. All reasonable efforts were made to encourage candidates to participate.
Nothing should be construed as an endorsement or non-endorsement of any candidate, party or initiative by the League of Women Voters or The Express.
JENNIFER BARNHART
Jennifer N. Barnhart has been a part of the Bellefonte community since 2004. Barnhart was interested in moving to the community for her children's school experience at Bellefonte Area School District. Barnhart has taken an active role in the community as a Little League coach, team mom, a booster club board member, PTO member and founder of a non-profit travel softball program. Barnhart earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication arts and sciences from Penn State in 2003 and currently works at the university as a member of the Development and Alumni Relations team.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: Ensuring students are exposed to all paths of success, educating the whole student, and teaching HOW over WHAT to think are my focus. All are important and start with redefining success whether it's through careers, post-secondary education, or volunteer work. As a public school district, it's important to realize the values of each student and support their strengths and interests to help shape our community's character.
The policies and personnel that we surround our children with are examples of what we hope for them to become and surpass. We empower administrators, teachers, and staff to advocate for courses, field trips, speakers, college visits, job shadowing, and extracurricular activities to educate the whole student.
As a board member, I will continue to serve our community to inspire personality, ethics, positivity, and individual success. I encourage my community to get involved and make an impact on the continued success of our district.
PATRICK VINCENT BUCK
Patrick Vincent Buck moved to Bellefonte in 2019 and lives with his wife and two children, one of which attends Marion-Walker Elementary. Buck is a process engineering manager with a degree in mechanical engineering from Rochester Institue of Technology. Buck is running for school board to instill a focus and further develop STEM initiatives in the district and ensure students are provided with experiences and skills necessary post graduation.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: 1. Ensure the district is focused on the safety and security of the students and staff with a goal of one SRO per building. The district should be evaluating how to leverage technology, as well as allocating the necessary funds with safety as a top priority.
2. Focus on preparing students for life after graduation. Ensure students have the necessary life skills to be successful as adults. This includes providing them with multiple paths to success, including post secondary education, technical skills, and exposure to opportunities in the trades. Work with local businesses to foster relationships with the students prior to graduation that can be used as a jump off for future opportunities (co-ops).
3. Prioritize improved academics by using data analysis to drive results and track progress. Ensure the district is using clear and defined metrics to drive success and allocating the resources necessary to achieve those goals. Prioritize critical thinking and STEM initiatives.
NATE CAMPBELL
Current School Board Director Nate Campbell is looking to retain his seat for another term. Campbell has lived in the Bellefonte area for over 20 years, with the last 16 years spent in Benner Township with his wife and two children. Over the years, Campbell has served on various boards and committees including the Benner Township Planning Commission (9 years as chairman), Benner Township Environmental Committee, University Airport Master Plan Committee, BASD Building Committee, BASD Esser Fund Committee and the Benner Elementary PTA. Since being appointed to the district's board of director's, Campbell has served on the Teacher Contract Negotiations Committee, Health Insurance Committee and the Building Committee.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: My top priorities will be to continue the work that I have been involved with while on the board.
New Bellefonte Elementary: While serving on the building committee I have been involved in working to get to the design phase of the project that we are now in. It has taken many meetings and lots of consideration to get to this point and will take even more to get to the finish line. This is such a needed project that I want to see it to the finish.
Test Scores: While on the Board for only a year I have been part of the push to use all of the testing data that we have to identify where the districts strengths and weaknesses are. Using this data will help the board decide where to spend resources for the best education possible.
Students: As a Board member it is my duty to make sure that all students have the same opportunities and support that they need. I will continue to listen to students, parents and district employees to help direct my decisions.
PAUL DOMBROWSKI
Paul Dombrowski, a military veteran with a master's degree in counselor education, wishes to bring his 30 years of teaching experience to the district's board of directors. Dombrowksi and his wife Judy has raised two daughters. Dombrowski believes the district's community needs a school board that will work for the betterment of its students, teachers and community overall.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
Dombroski did not respond to the league's question.
JULIE FITZGERALD
Current Bellefonte Area School District Director Julie Fitzgerald is looking to retain her seat for another term. Fitzgerald holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Ursinus College and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: 1) Continue to focus on student learning by setting high standards for achievement that prepare students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Provide the necessary staffing, curriculum and technologies for all levels and types of learners.
2) Ensure healthy educational environments by providing the staffing, training, resources, technologies and mental health supports that enable the district to maintain safety and security in school buildings. Address the aging elementary schools to ensure that facilities are conducive to learning. Promote a positive school climate through policies that effectively address bullying and harassment.
3) Engage, communicate and seek input from the community on district priorities while maintaining fiscal accountability and transparency. Develop long term budget plans that address facility needs, building maintenance and other major expenditures to preclude spikes in property taxes.
TIMOTHY D. KESSLING
Tim Kessling is a 2004 graduate from Bellefonte High School. In 2008, he acquired a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management from Pennsylvania College of Technology. Kessling has worked for Glenn O Hawbaker since 2009, where he worked in on-site development, helping to build the Weis Market infrastructure in Bellefonte and the Pegula Ice Hockey Arena at Penn State. In 2020, Tim was promoted to project manager and has been instrumental in P3 & PennDOT structure projects. He was the chair of the Associated Builders of Contractors from 2020 through 2021 and is currently the co-chair of the Glenn O. Hawbaker Charity Golf Outing, co-owner of 2 Dads & a Truck Contracting Company, and most importantly, a proud husband to Kati Kessling and father to Emma and Ella who are enrolled in BASD.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
Kessling did not respond to the league's question.
DENELLE KORIN
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
Korin did not respond to the league's question.
DARRELL SHARP
Darrell Sharp was born and raised in Loretto in Cambria County and graduated from Penn Cambria High School and then attended Penn State University where he obtained an associate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and a bachelor's degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering. Darrell has worked for Graymont for over 17 years and is the mine superintendent. He has lived and worked in the Bellefonte Area School District since 2005, and he and his wife Heather have three children that currently attend Marion Walker Elementary.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: A successful completion of the new Bellefonte elementary school building is essential. This will occur through very open communication with the community and ensuring the new building meets the educational needs for many generations of BASD students.
Equally important is ensuring students are taught how to think and not what to think. We must keep indoctrination and ideologies out of our schools. Teach our students critical thinking skills so that as adults they can form their own opinions and values. This in turn leads to good citizens and strong communities.
Lastly, ensure students are exposed to the various paths of post-graduation success available to them. Too much emphasis tends to be placed on attending college. That is the correct path for some, but not all of our students. The military might be the best option for some while others should seek certification in a skilled trade field. Discuss all of those options fairly and informed families can make the best decision.
DONNA SMITH
Donna Smith is seeking her second term on the Bellefonte Area School District's board of directors. Smith enjoyed a 33-year teaching career in the district and was the chair of the English Language Arts Department at the time of her retirement. Her two children, both of whom have careers in public service, are Bellefonte graduates, and her grandchildren attend school there. Donna was an active member of several athletic booster clubs, served on the COVID Reopening Task Force and volunteers for Bellefonte Reads. She attends Trinity United Methodist Church. During her time on the board, Smith has served on the PSBA's Legislative Advisory Committee, Policy Committee, Legislative Committee, Branding Committee and PSBA Liason.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: Priority one as a current board member is continued support of the district's proposal for a new elementary building. After assisting with evaluations and early decision-making, I am well equipped to use this information, along with community input, to usher this project through to completion. I will continue to advocate that deferred maintenance projects be addressed.
I am passionate about responsible funding of cyber-charter schools, as our work exposes a straight line from excessive charter tuition to increased local taxes. I will not stop until this issue -- one that can save Bellefonte $1 million in tuition costs a year -- is corrected and students are unharmed from subpar for-profit cyber charter schools.
Finally, our students' future is an uncertain one. Their workforce will surely look different from ours. I support and encourage measures to ensure our graduates are future ready for a 21st century world. After all, this is our ultimate responsibility.
KIMBERLY WEAVER
Kimberly Weaver is a 1995 graduate of Bellefonte Area School District and is currently a kindergarten teacher at a neighboring school district. Kim is a current school board member that has been elected two times, the first being in 2015 and again in 2019. Kim earned an associate degree in business from the South Hills School of Business and Technology and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Phoenix. Kim is a strong supporter of public education and wants to be part of the many important projects and initiatives that the district is moving forward in the near future.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: As a school board member since 2015, one of my top priorities is to ensure the continued success of addressing learning gaps across the district. Constant review of assessments and the steps that we are taking for growth in all areas is a must. We need to continue to seek better strategies to help our students learn. The next priority is open and honest communication across the district. Transparency is critical when it comes to effective decision-making. Providing students, parents, and teachers with available information regarding the topic at hand will instill trust in the board and the district. Last but not least, strengthening the district's partnership with CPI will provide our students with several options for success after graduation. CPI has proven itself to be a champion of student success after high school, and providing resources to continue this is of the utmost importance.
JOE YECH
Joe Yech is looking to score a seat on the Bellefonte Area School District Board of Directors.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: Our educational system should be focused on providing the best for all our students. Three of my focus areas are:
Educators: Kids are the most important part of the educational system. Educators deliver that education, directly engaging our students. I will always ask myself how decisions we make as a school board will affect educators. My personal objective will be to not make their jobs more difficult. I believe in our teachers and staff!
Schools: We are building a new elementary school. I want to be involved in the decisions ensuring this is a viable school for our students and community for the long-term future.
Fiscal Responsibility: As a taxpayer in the school district, I will be cost conscious when decisions are made. Expenditures should benefit the students and community in a tangible way by helping our educators deliver the educational experience that ALL our children deserve. It's about KIDS!