Information for this section of Voters' Guide was gathered by the Centre Daily Times, which mailed questionnaires to candidates in all contested races. Names of candidates in uncontested races (marked with asterisks) are listed here but were not solicited for information. Write-in candidates were included if they met the criteria set forth by the League of Women Voters for inclusion in candidate forums: written notice, such as a newspaper article, of their candidacy at least 45 days before the election; staff consisting of at least a treasurer; issuance of campaign positions; evidence of voter support, having at least three volunteers working on candidate’s behalf; and demonstrated financial support from at least six contributors. Each candidate who was sent a questionnaire was asked to provide biographical information and to respond to a single question: What would your priorities be if elected to the office you are seeking? Here are their responses:
Bald Eagle Area School District director, Region 1* Vote for one
Shirley Dudish
Party:Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots
Residence:Snow Shoe
Bald Eagle Area School District director, Region 2* Vote for two
Theresa Peters Party:Republican
Residence:Port Matilda
Bald Eagle Area School District director, Region 3 Vote for two
Thomas C. Bowes
Party:Democratic
Birth date:Jan. 13, 1944
Residence:Howard
Education:Bald Eagle Area High School, 1961; Penn State, 1965, forestry
Occupation:self-employed municipal consultant, professional sanitarian and certified SEO specializing in wastewater management, system designs and permitting.
Qualifications:42 years in private practice as an employee, partner of a surveying and engineering company, sole proprietor and currently president of Thomas C. Bowes & Associates Inc. Served as a prior BEA school board director from 1983 through 1988. Currently serve as vice chairman of the Centre County Solid Waste Authority and served as vice chairman of the state certification board for certified sewage enforcement officers for 12 years.
Answer to question:The top priority would be solid fiscal management while keeping needed programs and evaluating expanded or new programs for the betterment of the student and overall school morale, and learning environment while helping provide adequate staff development. In addition, maintain and hopefully improve quality art, music and athletic programs to provide a well-rounded education and experience as part of education that develops teamwork, leadership, respect and discipline. Having been exposed to those challenges in the past, I feel I have the experience and fortitude to provide meaningful input to the overall benefit of the Bald Eagle Area School District, its students, staff and taxpayers.
S. Thomas Letterman
Party:Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots
Residence:Milesburg Did not respond
Richard Watters
Party:Republican
Residence:Howard Did not respond
Bellefonte Area School District director Vote for five
Keith B. Hamilton
Party:Democratic
Birth date: Oct. 26, 1952
Residence: Spring Township
Education: Attended Elizabethtown College and Millersville University, two-year studies at Penn State/York campus; Purdue University — pest control technology
Occupation:district manager, J.C. Ehrlich Pest Control Co., since 1988
Qualifications:Fiscally responsible: I know how to successfully manage a multimillion-dollar business. I know what it takes to meet business goals and projections. I have no political agenda — thanks to the many Bellefonte residents that wrote my name in the primary election. I will be on the Democratic ballot. I am a registered Republican. I have been a proven community leader and have always taken my responsibilities seriously; I will always have the best interest of your children in mind as well as be the guardian of your tax dollars. I have been a resident of the Bellefonte community for 30 years. I have always been involved in the community. I am a past president of the Bellefonte Area Jaycees and past president of the Pennsylvania Jaycees. In addition, I am a past president and member of the Centre County Drug and Alcohol Council. I currently serve on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Pest Management Association. I am chairman of the Legislative Affairs Committee Through my company I am affiliated with the CBICC and the Bellefonte Intervalley Area Chamber of Commerce
Answer to question:We have much to accomplish in our Bellefonte district. Our children deserve the best in curriculum, facilities, faculty and staff. We have to challenge our children to achieve more and take education seriously, as it is the cornerstone of their future. I want to guarantee their future is a bright one and that we prepare them for what lies ahead in a very competitive society. I was fortunate to be asked to serve this year on the Strategic Planning Committee, which has set the tone for our district through 2013. I was deeply impressed with our administrators, faculty and staff that served on these committees; I was even more encouraged by all the members at large who took the time to help with this plan. Our mission, beliefs and vision have been submitted for all members of this community to view. Our board will have the assignment of prioritizing all of the goals and objectives outlined in this plan. I encourage all of our residents to look at our Web site, www.basd.net, and simply open both the links to the Strategic Plan as well as the Strategic Plan summary. I want to continue my involvement in seeing this plan is completed.
Robert Lumley-Sapanski
Party:Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots
Birth date: April 27, 1952
Residence:Benner Township Occupation:facilities and safety coordinator, food science department, Penn State
Education:Bachelor of science, Penn State University, College of Agriculture
Qualifications: Currently in eighth year on the board, fourth as president; serve on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania School Board Association; Centre County Legislative Coordinator; Region 4 director (7-county area); National Pre-Kindergarten Legislative Committee; many committees/groups for the BASD. Volunteered for 4H, Boy Scouts, Benner Township, Park Forestry Day Nursery and coached and officiated in many youth sports.
Answer to question: Top priorities if elected: The top priority of any board member should be to provide an education to all children that will enable them to succeed in life at a cost the community can afford. Weve begun great things in Bellefonte that I want to see completed. Weve addressed some of our facility needs but have others that need attention; narrowed the achievement gap between our economically challenged and more fortunate students; aligned curriculum across the district; increased course selections and continue to improve student scores. Evening courses are offered for community members but we need more residents involved in the schools they finance. The challenge of graduating students equipped with 21st Century skills is a great one. Classrooms will not resemble the ones we sat in but while technologies constantly change, the need for the basics is greater than ever. We need a fairer system of funding public education. Recent tax shifts have not alleviated the cost of unfunded or under-funded state and national mandates. No Child Left Behind is $15 Billion short of authorized levels this year alone. My involvement at the state and national level gives me the opportunity to continue to fight for the taxpayers in Bellefonte.
Tammy Myers
Party:Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots Did not respond
Richard W. Steele Party:Republican
Birth date:Nov. 6, 1940
Residence:Bellefonte
Education:graduate, Scotland School, Scotland, Pa,
Occupation:retired manager, Uni-Mart, after 20 years
Qualifications:Not provided
Answer to question:Keep the district on or under budget.
George F. Stone
Party:Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots
Birth date:Aug. 23, 1966
Residence:Walker Township
Occupation:insurance and financial sales, State Farm agent
Education:Penn State, B.S. in finance, 1988; The American College, chartered financial consultant, 2005
Qualifications:Board member since 2002; father of three children in the school district; local business owner; volunteer in several community organizations.
Answer to question:My top priorities would be as follows if re-elected to the school board:
Align the K-12 curriculum to the state and national standards to ensure our children are excelling past the minimum requirements.
Acquire and develop land to implement the recommendations in our Athletic Field Use and Feasibility study.
Develop relationships with the community, government and business to make sure our children are receiving relevant skills in their education.
David Van Buskirk
Party:Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots
Birth date:May 11, 1954
Residence:Spring Township
Education:University of Denver, Bachelor of Science in business administration, 1980; Littleton High School, Littleton, Colo., 1972
Occupation:finance director, Pennsylvania Financial Group
Qualifications:Finance with substantial tax background. Senior management positions and board/committees including OLV school board during business career. Active volunteer in community since moving to Pennsylvania 20 years ago. Have closely followed Act 72 and Act 1 property tax legislation and attended BASD school board meetings offering input.
Answer to question:My candidacy is not based on one single agenda item. Our schools must be viewed as a legacy for the students and community. While there are many competing interests and considerations, continuing to provide the best possible education and extracurricular options to students should be the highest priority. School board members are faced with multiple goals and special interests and must maintain perspective and balance in determining which action provides the greatest good for the greatest number of students with the resources available. My goal is to be an active board member evaluating all issues, the facts and circumstances, and then determine the most appropriate course of action. Current and long-term considerations must be included in the evaluation and decision-making process.
Penns Valley Area School District director Two-year term* Vote for one
Tina Welch
Party:Independent
Four-year term* Vote for four
Larry Bair
Party:Democratic
Jay Martin
Party:Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots
Sal Nicosia
Party:Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots
Martha R. Weidensaul
Party:Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots
Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District director District 1* Vote for one
Gene Wardo
Party:Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots
Residence:Philipsburg
District 2* Vote for one
Thad E. Ritter
Party:Republican
Residence:Philipsburg
District 4 Vote for one
James D. Smith
Party:Republican
Birth date:July 14, 1938
Residence: Philipsburg
Education: Penns Valley Area School District; Bachelor of Science, Lock Haven State College; master’s equivalency, awarded by commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Qualifications:30 years’ teaching school and coaching in five different school districts; 10 years as vocational education counselor at Penn State DuBois; 10 years owner/ operator of a swimming pool business
Answer to question:Many people ask “Why in the world do you want to be on the school board?” My quick response is that I need something to do! Actually it is education, where I have a lot of experience. P-O is one of the best school districts that I have worked. The people get involved with the schools and show a lot of interest in what their children are doing.
My priorities are:
Local: Paying off our financial debt and sticking to a balanced budget; reduction in property tax; incentives for student participation in extracurricular activities; reduction in fundraising activities that exploit student participation; curriculum development suited to the P-O school district; early graduation for seniors who meet requirements.
State: Elimination of the unfair, antiquated, discriminating property tax; elimination of the mandates required by the state, such as cyber-schools; curriculum and testing; approval of a statewide health insurance program for public school employees; pressure the General Assembly to increase spending of public education — they have never fulfilled their obligations in subsidizing public schools.
Janice C. Walker
Party:Democratic
Birth date: Feb. 18, 1949
Residence: Rush Township North
Education: B.S. in elementary education, Edinboro University; master’s equivalency course work from Penn State, CIU, Millersville Occupation:elementary teacher, West Branch Area Schools, Morrisdale
Qualifications:36 years as an elementary teacher in Pennsylvania schools, 12 years previously on the Philipsburg- Osceola school board, eight years on the CIU No. 10 Board, as well as the education listed above.
Answer to question:
Priorities if elected:
If I were elected to the Philipsburg-Osceola school board, my main priority would have to be the students of our community. These young people are the future and deserve to have an education equal to if not superior to students in other areas.
I would insist on hiring the very best candidates to fill positions for teachers and administrators. In order to have a top-notch school district, we need to hire the very best candidates. If a district has a strong staff, it can overcome obstacles that even tax dollars cannot fix.
Financially, I would encourage administration to prioritize spending to best utilize the tax dollars. Spending more money does not necessarily mean a district will provide better education. We need to work creatively to provide opportunities to our students.
I would strive to be an objective problem solver and look at all sides of a situation before making decisions that would affect the students of our school district.
State College Area School District director Vote for five
Barney Grimes
Party:Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots
Birth date: Aug. 11, 1951
Residence: Grimes Patton Township
Education:B.A. in military history, B.S. in geophysics, M.S. in international relations, postgraduate courses in aeronautical engineering, industrial engineering, human factors engineering, information science and technology; certified experimental test pilot through U.S. Naval Test Pilot School; completed all levels of U.S. military schools and colleges to include Senior Officer War College; graduate of University of Michigan executive management school; graduate of Defense Acquisition University Level III Program Management and Test and Evaluation and Level II Government Contracting.
Occupation:project manager and War College course instructor, Office of Military and Security Programs and Strategic Initiatives, Penn State
Qualifications:Parent with a child in the SCASD; father of three children who have lived and experienced educational systems in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Oregon and California; my wife, Peggy, is a certified elementary school teacher in four states; lifelong educator, teacher, coach and mentor of America’s youth; 30-year career Marine Corps veteran; assistant scoutmaster in State College Troop 31 and 17-year Scouter; worked, managed, led and provided oversight of an organization of over 9,000 people that included government and commercial unions; administered over $3 billion in contracts and responsible for the quality delivery of products to the U.S. government.
Answer to question: My top priority will be to support the district’s well-qualified faculty. Our teachers are doing a great job with a comprehensive curriculum and they deserve to be part of the planning for the district’s future. I will listen to teachers’ ideas and study other districts’ master plans to enable the board to create a DWMP that is comprehensive and creative. Equally important to me is providing transparency to the citizens of all board actions and to collaborate with teachers and community members alike on the DWMP. Likewise, accountability for school district performance at all levels is imperative. We must also provide “the most bang for the buck” with taxpayers’ resources. The expenditure of funds should be based upon fully transparent, established and mutually agreed upon priorities. I have managed multibillion-dollar government projects. I will do all in my power to earn and maintain the public’s trust when I am elected. My priorities will be to provide the students, parents and community a safe and secure learning environment that produces the highest quality students. Each student must be given the opportunity to excel in their areas of interest and to be educated for the competitive global environment they will face following graduation. Continued growth and success in all areas of education.
Robert Hendrickson
Party:Write-in candidate
Birth date: Jan. 3, 1944
Residence: State College
Education: Bachelor of Science, North Dakota State University; Master of Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.; Doctorate of Education, Indiana University, Bloomington
Occupation:professor of education and associate dean of research, graduate programs and faculty development
Qualifications:Served on the school board for six years and is the associate dean for research and graduate programs in Penn State’s College of Education. He is a founder and first president of Centre Soccer. He’s coached CS traveling teams plus parks and recreation activities. Serves as president of the State College Youth Ice Hockey Association, and was actively involved in scouting. Linda, Bob’s wife, recently retired after teaching first and second grade for 18 years at Easterly Parkway School. Both of their sons graduated from State High. Bob and Linda have grandchildren who will attend State College schools.
Answer to question:We need a vigorous dialogue on the important issues facing the school district — issues that impact our community, our neighborhoods and our children and grandchildren. I will fight for school governance that is open to the people and fight against control by any special-interest group. I will fight to preserve our neighborhoods by moving to renovate our neighborhood schools immediately and keep them in the neighborhoods. Common sense tells us that we want neighborhoods where kids can walk to school. Our teenagers need upgrades to the existing high school, because our kids can’t wait. Our high school kids must have a 21st-century learning environment. I will fight to preserve a curriculum that continues to meet the needs of all of the students in the district — a curriculum that prepares physicists, carpenters, doctors and auto mechanics who will become productive and successful citizens in our communities and our nation. I will fight to provide our children and grandchildren with the best possible education, so they can achieve their dreams and life goals. We all know that great schools make great communities. That’s why neighborhood schools are worth fighting for.
James Leous
Party:Write-in candidate
Birth date: Nov. 24, 1962
Residence: State College
Education: B.S., physics, University of Notre Dame; M.S., astronomy and astrophysics, Penn State
Occupation:Team leader, ITS Emerging Technologies, Information Technology Services, Penn State.
Qualifications:I teamed up with the State College Area School District over a decade ago by helping students with high-performance computing. Soon after, I helped State College become one of the first schools in the state to have Internet access. I continue to advise State College faculty and students on information technology and serve on the board of the High School Innovation Grant. I also serve on the coaching staff of the State College Area High School ice hockey team, which won the last two league championships.
Answer to question:As a school district volunteer and coach, I’ve mentored hundreds of our kids. The success of these kids in academics and in life is a testament to great schools, excellent teachers, caring volunteers and you the voters. I now have both of my children in a district elementary school, and I want their experience to be as good or better than those who have gone before them. As your school board director:
I will make our academic excellence my No. 1 priority.
I will fight for our neighborhood schools.
I will ensure that our kids are ready to compete in the 21st century. As your school board director, I will listen to you. The reasons behind my decisions will be transparent and online. I’m running for school board because our children need better schools now. You know where I stand and what’s important to me. After all, great communities have great schools.
Rick Madore
Party:Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots
Birth date: March 7, 1958
Residence: College Township
Education:State College Area High School, 1976; Juniata College, B.S. biology, 1980; Temple University, D.D.S., 1985 Occupation:dentist
Qualifications:I am a lifelong resident of State College (third generation). I believe in the educational mission of our community. I have three children, one a recent grad and two still in our school system. Patty and I are passionate about their education being complete and well-rounded. I believe in community service and giving back to the community. I have studied board operations and served on a board of directors as well as other community and church committees. I believe in good stewardship of the resources we have available to us. I have carefully observed our school board, listened to and researched the issues for the past two years. Being a businessman in the service and health arena for the past 21 years allows me to bring a diversity of thought and a fresh perspective to the new school board. I am ready to commit to being the best servant leader possible for our students and our community.
Answer to question:There are over 100 “top priorities” when it comes to operating a school district. Every piece of action that the administration or school board takes is important to the overall smooth and continuing operation of our program. There are some issues that will help us better address many of those priorities. First, I hope to change the culture of the board so that communication is enhanced and valued through all levels. We need to actively engage the public and value their input. We need to encourage the student- teacher relationship. We need to listen to the teachers and staff on the “front lines” to know what is working and where support is required. We need to be more open in our deliberations in board and committee rooms. Another area, which will help support many priorities, is doing more and better advance planning. The most notable example of this will commence in our first weeks in office as we begin to work on a new districtwide master plan for facilities. This will require the involvement of our entire community to develop and prioritize our needs. The dividends for this planning will be realized as our administration will be more able to develop and deliver curriculum, our teachers will be more able and more comfortable teaching, and we will be able to better plan our budgets.
Ann M. McGlaughlin
Party:Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots
Birth date: March 8, 1963
Residence:Harris Township Education:Villanova University, 1985, B.S., accountancy; Huntingdon Area High School, 1981
Occupation:accountant, office manager for a local small business
Qualifications:As the mother of school-age children, I will bring a parental perspective that is underserved on our current board. My firsthand experience with the social and academic challenges facing students today and my ongoing interaction with families and personnel in our school system will provide a real-time connection between our schools and programs and the decision making that is vested at the school board level. My professional experience includes positions in public accounting, banking and small business. As an experienced financial accountant, I will bring the education, experience and discipline necessary to conduct strategic planning and policymaking, give prudent input into the budget process and monitor the financial health of the district. Having experienced a variety of roles in the working world, I will bring an appreciation of our faculty’s need for a supportive and professional work environment and for sufficient resources to fulfill their role as educators. In addition to my personal and professional experience, I have spent the last several months furthering my knowledge of the programs, challenges and interests of the district by meeting with the superintendent, touring the buildings and talking with key personnel. I have regularly attended school board meetings for the past two years. Finally, I will bring an unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in the board’s proceedings and decision-making.
Answer to question:
1) To advocate for true engagement of the teachers in the planning and implementation of curriculum, which is responsive to the diverse needs and abilities of our student population; to foster an environment in which we plan innovatively and flexibly for the educational and social challenges that lay ahead as society changes and our community grows; to support our faculty in the pursuit of professional growth and development.
2) To update the district facilities master plan so that it not only supports a strategic plan for educational and extracurricular needs, but also prioritizes renovations in a manner that taxpayers can afford. To provide a disciplined, financial perspective to planning and policymaking, maintenance of the district’s financial health and common-sense stewardship of the taxpayers’ resources. 3) To overhaul the culture of our school board so that it reflects more fully the convictions and values of its constituents; to advocate for a climate — on the board itself and throughout the district — that embraces diversity of opinion, unbiased deliberation and transparency in proceedings and decision-making; to cultivate a renewed partnership with the community so that educational programs and fiscal needs gain the support of taxpayers, which will be necessary in the future. Chris W. Small Party:Listed on Republican and
Chris W. Small
Party: Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots
Birth date: Dec. 15, 1958
Occupation: assistant director for business services, facilities department, Bucknell University, Lewis-burg
Education:B.S. in business logistics, Penn State, 1980
Qualifications:I have attended school board meetings for the past three years and have listened to and participated in discussions on a broad range of issues not related to the high school project. During the past several months, I have met numerous times with the superintendent and her key staff to further my understanding of the district’s policies, facilities and programs. Additionally, I bring the following traits/skills to the position of school board director as a result of my 24 years of business experience as a supply officer in the Navy: personal integrity, strong sense of accountability, sound stewardship of the taxpayers’ money, business and team approach to problem solving, extensive contracting and budgeting experience, and commitment to public service.
Answer to question:As someone who graduated from State High, I feel obligated to continue the district’s tradition of excellence. We are outstanding in many areas, and that won’t change. However, there are issues that must be addressed. We must work with the teachers, parents, students and the community to update the District Wide Master Plan for our aging facilities. Through this deliberative public process we must accurately assess the material condition of our facilities and the current and anticipated curriculum, technology and instructional needs of the district. Decisions regarding the DWMP cannot be made in a vacuum, but rather in the context of the district’s projected operating budgets for the next 10 to 15 years and the associated tax implications. Additionally, the board must take action to regain the community’s trust and confidence. To that end, I will open the Citizens Advisory Committee meetings to the public, replace the current board meeting monologues with community dialogue, reach out to community organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary, CBICC, etc., to speak with the community regarding budgetary challenges, district successes and other issues as well as listen to their concerns. Our ability to successfully support our students is very much dependent upon the board’s relationship with this community.
Dorothea W. Stahl
Party:Listed on Republican and Democratic ballots
Birth date: Dec. 30, 1968
Residence:Harris Township
Education:B.S., elementary education, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Md.
Occupation:teacher
Qualifications:I am a certified teacher who also has three children attending schools in the SCASD. I come to this office with experience both inside the classroom as a teacher and outside the classroom as a volunteer and PTA officer. I am the product of a quality public-school education, and I want to continue the tradition of quality education in this school district.
Answer to question:My first priority in serving this community would be to update the districtwide master plan so that we can upgrade our facilities. The elementary schools have been put on the back burner for years and now are way behind in upgrades. Many schools need new electrical systems just to accommodate the possibility of air conditioning. Having children learn in an environment that can, at times, be oppressive is unacceptable. Our learning-support teachers should not be trying to fit students into converted closet space, which is currently the situation in many schools. Other priorities include addressing the building needs of the high school and involving the community in that dialogue so the final decision has strong community support. I want to point out that I will not be pushing one plan or another regarding the high school, but will truly follow the collective feeling of the local community. An important first step in this process is to operate our school board with an “inclusive” attitude and not an “exclusive” one. I want the community to know both how and why decisions were made, and that can only happen if they are open to the information being given to the board at the committee level. An informed public is a much more receptive public. We have a school district that we can be proud of, and I plan to be a part of this district’s continued growth and success in all areas of education.
