Read how Centre County school board candidates view diversity, inclusion efforts
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2025 primary election: Centre County school board races
The Centre Daily Times recently sent a survey to all Centre County school board candidates with questions about a number of issues. Read their responses below, and remember to vote in the May 20 primary election.
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Read how Centre County school board candidates view diversity, inclusion efforts
With projects underway at Centre County schools, board candidates share priorities
Where do Centre County school board candidates stand on school safety & security?
How do Centre County school board candidates view district finances, tax increases?
Editor’s note: The Centre Daily Times recently sent a survey with questions about a number of issues to all school board candidates who filed to run in the May 2025 primary election. Seventeen candidates participated, while eight did not. We have published their unedited responses, which were limited to fewer than 300 words each. We have published additional responses in other stories.
Believe it or not, May’s primary election is just around the corner. To help voters get to know candidates across Centre County, the Centre Daily Times surveyed school board candidates across the county’s five public school districts to share their positions on pressing issues facing public education.
One topic recently thrust into the national spotlight is the importance of so-called diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in public schools. The Trump administration has repeatedly threatened to pull federal funding from schools and universities that embrace “DEI” programs, which may include bias training, efforts to use inclusive language, diverse hiring practices and even curriculum in classrooms. Some federal judges have already ruled the Trump administration overstepped in ordering a crackdown on “DEI” programs.
So far, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has insisted its public school districts remain in compliance with civil rights law, which prevents discrimination based on race, national origin or shared ancestry in programs receiving federal funding. Angela Fitterer, Pennsylvania’s executive deputy secretary of education, wrote that the commonwealth’s school districts will continue complying with civil rights law, according to an April 9 letter addressed to the U.S. Department of Education.
We asked Centre County’s school board candidates to share how they view the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public schools.
State College Area School District candidates
Deborah Anderson — I strongly believe in the SCASD mission statement: to ensure every student has opportunities to grow, thrive, and fulfill their potential through caring, responsive education. I view the DEI programs in SCASD as one way that we live up to that promise to our students. We should offer all students a challenging curriculum that helps them to reach their full potential and make progress toward their academic goals. If providing an excellent education to all students requires some differentiation in instruction for different students, then that is what we should do. In addition, I believe strongly that our schools must be welcoming and inclusive. All students deserve to learn in a positive environment, free from bullying, harassment, bias or discrimination, so that everyone feels supported and at home in our schools. I believe that DEI programs can play an important role in making every student feel welcome in our schools.
Rebecca Arnold Desmarais — DEI is so important in schools. It helps create access, opportunity, and healthy learning environments for ALL learners, regardless of demographic. Funding at risk includes state funding for curriculum development, free or reduced lunch programs, support for students with special needs and more. Our state gets around $600 million under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which helps districts pay for individualized education plans for disabled and gifted students. Without this funding, students would fall further behind. Most of the funding that our school district receives is local rather than federal so as hard as it would be to lose the financial support, I am confident our community would rally and help our school district keep these programs and supports going for our schools.
Jesse Barlow — Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (and Belonging) efforts are important and essential. Even the conservative U.S. Supreme Court said “diversity, equity, and inclusion are laudable goals.” For minority students, for LGBTQ+ students, for disabled students, these efforts are a lifeline. Moreover, students who are not in these marginalized groups benefit from learning about our history and culture in an honest manner that embraces our multiracial, multicultural and sometimes painful history rather than one that ignores it. Without that, our students will not understand the society they live in.
In a memo from the Department of Education on February 14 and April 4, the Trump administration threatened all K-12 school systems with the withdrawal of funds unless they end DEI programs. Lawsuits have resulted from this order and at least one federal court has blocked it. The Pennsylvania Department of Education, along with several other states, has replied that they are complying with state and civil rights law. That should be our response as well.
Jennifer Black — I believe very strongly that the removal of DEI initiatives will only have negative effects. Thankfully, our school district has thus far shown complete dedication to supporting any programs furthering DEI efforts. The continuation of these programs is important so that we can further ensure everyone is given an equitable chance at obtaining an education. Everyone must feel safe and welcome and supported in order to learn. I also believe that through actively supporting DEI programs, we are actively supporting our students and showing them that school is a safe place for them. I find it appalling that some districts are “adjusting” mission statements and removing inclusive signs from the classrooms to comply with the federal mandates. Our students, now more than ever, need to know that we are here to support them, without questions or caveats.
Jackie Huff — The mission of SCASD does not change at the request of the federal government. Our mission is to ensure every student has opportunities to grow, thrive, and fulfill their potential through caring, responsive education. We will continue to comply with all laws. However, DEI programs (or any other program that supports our mission) should not be removed just because the federal government has requested they be removed.
Kirsten McTernan — I absolutely love that we live in a diverse area with many cultural, racial, and religious backgrounds. I believe in celebrating those differences rather than pointing them out in a negative way. I have heard too many unnerving stories from within our schools that reveal the outcomes of the DEI curriculum are not what one would have hoped. It has caused division and stress rather than bringing people together. I fully support fostering an atmosphere of belonging, and if I’m elected, I would like to help develop creative solutions to promote unconditional love, healing, reconciliation, and unity within the classroom.
Mihaly Sogor — The challenge with DEI is that it means different things to different people, often depending on their political perspective. We live in a great community with a fairly even mix of viewpoints, and in today’s climate, the last thing we need is more political division. There are many ways to help kids connect, respect one another, and build unity — without bringing personal politics into the equation.
Bellefonte Area School District candidates
Nate Campbell — In my experience, Bellefonte has done a good job of taking care of all of our students. I believe strongly in doing all that we can for all students. While the political climate changes and directives are sent out, I will continue to support that the district supports all students regardless of the individual circumstances to be able to achieve everything that they want. When students walk through the doors, they are Bellefonte students, and that is what matters.
Jon Guizar — We are bound to follow the laws before us. That said, our strength is in our diversity. I believe that while we always need to keep our focus on seeing each student as a unique individual, when our students walk through our doors, they are all to be treated with the same dignity and respect as every other student. We are all Bellefonte Students.
Kristin Lyons — Our number one priority will always be ensuring the well-being of our students. No matter what happens with diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, our care for our students will not change.
Joe Yech — I support policies that include all of the students in our schools. The Bellefonte Area School District has developed policies to ensure all our students receive a fair and equitable education and this should continue.
Board candidate Jack Bechdel, who will still appear on the primary ballot because the filing deadline has passed, was arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman in early April and resigned from the district’s school board days later. He said he would not participate in the survey. Holly Hopkins was appointed to fill his seat and has launched a write-in campaign for the primary election.
Penns Valley Area School District candidates
Daniel Decker — Penns Valley Area School District, like all public schools nationwide, works to comply with federal education mandates and guidelines regarding civil rights. No child should experience discrimination or racism. Students need a safe place to learn. Penns Valley Area School District will continue to follow the federal and state governments. mandates regarding anti-discrimination efforts and civil rights. I support those anti-discrimination efforts and civil rights protections.
Amber May — As the Director of Access and Community Engagement Strategies for Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, my role is to support the success of every student in the college, but particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Every student has unique needs, and some needs are shared by groups of students, so they are addressed with those groups. The same is true of Penns Valley and any other educational institution, and my goal as a school board member would be the same: to ensure that every student has the tailored resources they need to thrive. In my view, DEI programming exists to support civil rights, not create unfair advantages, and I would staunchly protect these resources at Penns Valley. My perspective on this issue is no different than mine on school safety; we can only be a successful community if everyone feels respected, included, and embraced for their unique identity. Equity in education is our responsibility and diversity is our strength.
Mike Pase — I had a colleague just today say, “I wish we could all go back to what we were taught in kindergarten. Be kind and be a good friend”. I don’t believe we need an administration, program, or initiative to do the right thing. I think we all know how to let our light shine and help others to let their light shine as well. If someone is doing right, stand with them. If someone is doing wrong, stand against them.
Jessica Shawver — I don’t feel like this has any place in a school, and I support the Trump administration’s decision. These issues have become number one in schools, and adults are pushing their agendas onto kids instead of just teaching them the basic fundamentals that they need to know in life. These “programs” have become the curriculum and has resulted in more bullying, suicides and shootings. Instead of letting “kids be kids,” people are pushing these ideologies onto them and pressuring them into “fitting in” with what has sadly become normal, never what God intended for His children. Leading us to a society that is distorting our English language to suit its agenda instead of teaching what actual pronouns mean.
Kendyl Wittenrich — The term “DEI” has become highly politicized recently, so I’d like to frame my response with a review of the terms being discussed and invite readers to re-familiarize themselves with these concepts before reading my opinion.
At a surface level, diversity (among people) means someone who looks different than you. But it’s so much more than that. Diversity includes a person’s identity, background, experiences, and the unique point of view they can offer. I believe that diversity is a beautiful fact of our world, as I tell my five-year-old, “How boring would it be if we were all the same?”
Equity (in an educational setting) addresses the question, “Have everyone’s needs been met?” Certainly, this will look different among students. Some may require glasses to see the board, others may use left-handed scissors, and others still may communicate with an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. All these students have the right to an education, and I know teachers at Penns Valley welcome all students with open arms.
Inclusion, to me, means how a person is supported in their environment. It’s the sense of safety and feeling valued. In a highly inclusive environment, students will feel comfortable sharing freely and will be quick to resolve conflicts if they occur.
DEI means accepting those around me as their authentic selves without questioning or judging. This isn’t easy sometimes, especially in today’s politically charged climate. To that point, it’s important to me that our schools remain a place where students are encouraged to be themselves and to respect the choices and opinions of others. As a special education teacher, I have seen firsthand the benefits DEI programs can provide to students. Eliminating programs that provide equal access, opportunity, and empathy would negatively impact our students.
Filed candidates Douglas Roth and Vincent Nicosia did not respond to the Centre Daily Times’ survey.
Bald Eagle Area School District candidates
This district’s four filed candidates — Tina Greene, Mary Ann Hamilton, Mark Kresovich and Timothy Nilson — did not respond to the Centre Daily Times’ survey.
Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District candidates
Richard Wood — Not sure what Trump is trying to do. We need to provide an education for everyone.
No candidate has filed to run for the Philipsburg-Oceola Area School District’s two Centre County-based school board seats. Richard Wood and Shawnna Baney-Shaw have filed to run for the district’s seats up for election in Clearfield County and were invited to respond to this survey.
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