PA municipal election voters guide: Bellefonte, State College school board races
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Centre County Voters Guide: 2025 municipal election
The Pennsylvania municipal election is Nov. 4, and Centre County voters will see statewide judicial candidates on their ballots, along with local races for councils, boards of supervisors and boards of education. This voters guide was compiled by the League of Women Voters of Centre County with assistance from the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania.
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PA municipal election voters guide: Bellefonte, State College school board races
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Bellefonte Area Board of School Directors
(Choose no more than four)
Nate Campbell
Party: Dem, Rep
Did not respond to questions.
Jon Guizar
Party: Dem, Rep
Did not respond to questions.
Kristin Lyons
Party: Dem, Rep
Did not respond to questions.
Joe Yech
Party: Dem, Rep
Campaign website: sites.google.com/view/joeyechforschoolboard/home
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:
1. Students: Our students deserve the best educational opportunities we can provide them. This in turn relates to funding and fiscal responsibility. Our students require a diverse support system and we should position our school system to provide that through the use of counselors, social workers and trained staff for educational support needs.
2. Educators: Educators deliver the education our kids receive; directly engaging our students. My personal objective will be to make policy decisions that help them support our children effectively. I believe in our teachers and staff!
3. Schools: We need to ensure our new elementary school is a viable school for our students and community for the long-term future as the project finishes. We also need to make sure our other schools are up to standard so our kids have an environment conducive to good learning.
State College Area Board of School Directors
(Choose no more than four)
Deborah Anderson
Party: Dem, Rep
Campaign website: deborahandersonphd.wixsite.com/deborahandersonscasd
Education: M.S. and Ph.D. in Labor Economics (Cornell University), 1996, 1998; B.S. in Labor and Employment Relations (Penn State University), 1993
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069925475556
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: My first priority is providing excellence in education for all students. We should offer all students a challenging curriculum that helps them to reach their full potential. In addition, access to art, music, technical education, sports and other activities allows students to explore their interests and become well-rounded individuals. Second, I believe in financial responsibility: the school board should help ensure that monetary resources are used efficiently and effectively, so that we can provide the best opportunities to our students and support our faculty and staff without overburdening taxpayers. Third, I believe strongly that our schools must be safe, 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. If I am re-elected, I am committed to listening, learning, and making decisions for the benefit of all students.
Rebecca Arnold Desmarais
Party: Democratic
Campaign website: radforpa.com
Education: Associate in Arts
Facebook: www.facebook.com/radforpa
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: My approach is rooted in my experience as a parent with two children in our schools, serving in leadership roles on the elementary and middle school PTOs, and volunteering within our community. I believe in listening to all, a commitment to continuous learning about the challenges and opportunities facing our district and dedication to helping find effective solutions. My goals are clear - ensure a safe and inclusive education for all students, support our teachers and staff by truly hearing their needs and encouraging meaningful family engagement.
Jesse Barlow
Party: Dem, Rep
Campaign website: barlowforscasd.com
Education: B.A. Mathematics and Computer Science, U. Kansas, M.S., Statistics, Northwestern U., Ph.D., Computer Science, Northwestern U.
Facebook: facebook.com/barlow4scasd
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: (1) Maintaining a high quality education: We need to maintain and enhance our instructional programs for all students. Replacing Park Forest Middle School is a necessity. We also need to go forward with renovations to other district schools.
(2) A welcoming district: That means that we need a school board that cares about students’ mental health as well as their academic health and that we need our equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts.
(3) Defending strong public schools: Public schools are among the most important community institutions that we have. Assaults on them include the recent destruction of the U.S. Department of Education and at the state level from the recent scandal concerning cyber charters. We must stand up to these assaults.
Jackie Huff
Party: Democratic
Campaign website: huff4scasd.org
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: My priorities will be to: (1) listen, learn, and make good decisions at the board level that help students; (2) empower everyone working in the district to make good decisions that help students; and (3) advocate to local, state, and federal elected officials about actions they can take to help students.
As a school district, we are tasked with educating students. We approach this holistically, which means we recognize the humanity of our students. They are not just robots we pour knowledge into; they are complicated and wonderful. As a result, we seek to make decisions that will address the academic, emotional, and social needs of our students. When we all work together to implement an ethic of care in our schools, our students will be ready to grow. I hope to continue this work at the board-level! Thanks for your consideration.
Kirsten McTernan
Party: Republican
Did not respond to questions.
Mihaly Sogor
Party: Republican
Campaign website: www.sogorforscasd.com
Education: State High 2019
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: Key Priorities: Lower Taxes — Mihaly believes in fiscal responsibility and ensuring that our schools deliver high-quality results without placing an undue burden on taxpayers. He will work to streamline budgets and eliminate waste while keeping student success at the forefront.
Parental Involvement — Parents deserve a seat at the table when it comes to their children’s education. Mihaly is committed to increasing transparency and ensuring that families are heard, valued, and empowered in the decision-making process.
Promoting Quality Education — Every child deserves access to a high-standard, well-rounded education. Mihaly supports strong academics, skilled teachers, and programs that prepare students for real-world success, whether in college, trades, or the workforce.
Safe Schools — A secure environment is essential for learning. Mihaly is focused on proactive safety measures, mental health support, and clear policies that protect both students and staff.
State College Area Board of School Directors 2-year term
Jennifer Black
Party: Democratic
Campaign website: electjenniferblack.org
Education: Bachelor of Science in Kindergarten and Elementary Education from Pennsylvania State University
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/jenniferblackscasdschoolboard
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: 1) I want to ensure students receive the mental health supports needed to navigate their complicated world. This includes finding out more about what resources they would find helpful and ensure that what we’re offering and HOW we’re offering these resources are evidence-based and compatible with what our students truly need.
2) I believe that as a district we need to do a better job of communicating & building connections between board members, teachers, administration and parents. This could be accomplished through more opportunities for administrators and board members to regularly be involved in the classrooms.
3) I feel very strongly that now more than ever we need to provide safe, respectful, inclusive environments for our students. School needs to be a place where kids know they can come and be their authentic selves. This means continuing to honor diversity and inclusivity and refusing to acquiesce to any mandate that requires our students to deny any part of their identity.