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Victor M. Verbeke, Richard Detwiler, Gail Ryan, Laurie Reynolds, Susan Hanna

Dear friends and neighbors in the Souderton Area School District:

We would like your consideration, support, and vote for the slate of candidates who, in our view, are best prepared to lead our school district in the coming years. The Souderton Area For Responsible Leadership (SAFRL) Team of Kristina Bertzos, Elise Bowers, Rosemary Buetikofer, Andrew Souchet and Scott Swindells.

We have made the Souderton area our home for many years, raised our families, and our children attended the SASD schools. We have each worked in our own way to make the SASD a better place to live and educate our children.

Having served the district, we believe we can provide insight into what matters most to be an effective school board director.

We have considered the platforms, background, experience, and character/value statements of all candidates on both teams. In a side-by-side comparison, the SAFRL Team provides new ideas, fresh solutions, and not simply open-ended statements to continue the status quo. We urge your vote, by mail or in person, for Souderton Area For Responsible Leadership Team of Bertzos, Bowers, Buetikofer, Souchet and Swindells.

Careful spending matters. Better financial management is needed

In 2023, the Souderton Area School Districts tax increase of 4.1% was the largest single-year tax increase in the last decade. It is imperative that a new set of eyes and experienced professionals are elected to scrutinize the district budget and make sure spending truly benefits our students. The SAFRL Team will institute student-centered budgeting and question any spending that does not benefit a student directly, perform a line-by-line review of proposed budgets, listen to the community at budget time and prioritize the academic needs and safety of our students.

Professional experience matters

The SAFRL Team includes a Teacher, Veteran and PhD business management, financial planner, PhD clinical psychology and retired music instructor.

Our school district has, unfortunately, consistently underperformed peer districts in categories including best places to teach (rank #90) and graduates pursuing college or other vocational programs (78%).

Souderton can and must do better. The SAFRL Team has the professional experience necessary to be effective and start turning Soudertons performance around. The SAFRL Team will engage the community and seek community input for needed change. The SAFRL Team has proposed annual community surveys for taxpayers, parents and staff on how we can improve our district. The team has committed to employing and retaining the highest quality teachers for our children.

New ideas matter: Transparency at school board meetings and better media communication

Service on a school board is a privilege. New ideas and solutions should be front and center for any individual seeking to serve on our board. The SAFRL Team has recognized the need to improve transparency at school board meetings. It proposes that policy making decisions are discussed openly and in full view of the community. The SAFRL Team has proposed live streaming all committee and board meetings and to make better use of our website and social media all to improve communication between the board and the community.

Back-to-basics education matters: The SAFRL Team wil be a firewall against culture wars

The thankless job of service on a school board needs to be focused on education and not the politics of the day. In our own backyard, neighboring school districts are consumed by culture wars. The SAFRL Team will keep extremism out of our schools. While all viewpoints are welcome in our school district, and parents have every right and indeed an obligation to be involved in their childs education, teachers, librarians and school administrators are trained, and their expertise is needed to provide the quality education every child deserves.

With three moms, two dads, this is a team of parents we can trust to make decisions that put students first. They have track records of community service and have been heavily involved in their own childrens education. All five will bring their backgrounds to make sure our children receive a quality and caring education.

Thank you for considering these candidates. We request your vote for the SAFRL Team on Nov. 7. It is time for responsible leadership. For more information, visit SoudertonforResponsibleLeadership.com.

Victor M. Verbeke was a Souderton School Director from 2005 to 2009. Richard Detwiler served on the board from 1999 to 2003. Gail Ryan, was a teacher and administrator from 1989 to 2016. Laurie Reynolds taught in the district from 1994 to 2019. Susan Hanna, taught in the district from 1969 to 2007 and also served as president of the teachers union.

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Vote for the Souderton Area For Responsible Leadership Team - The Bucks County Herald

In what he joked was the worst-kept secret in local Pennsylvania politics since Josh Shapiro announced he was running for governor, former WITF executive Blake Lynch confirmed in an interview with the Capital-Star on Tuesday that hes joining the growing field of Democratic candidates seeking to oppose U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-10th District).

Scott Perry is not reflective of the community any longer, hes been fighting culture wars, Lynch said. I spent my career building bridges and establishing trust and grassroots coalitions to move the community forward.

Perry, he added, has been focused on issues that no one sees as progress but everyone sees as holding us back, like holding up former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthys election in January, restricting abortion rights, and nearly shutting down the government, Lynch said.

Lynch sees several issues hed want to tackle if elected to Congress. People in the district want better schools, were hardworking taxpayers here, and there is no reason why our schools need to go without in so many areas, he said. Everyone wants lower everyday costs because inflation is a real thing right now.

People in central Pennsylvania care about and understand what their members of Congress can do to affect quality of life issues, he added. They understand that bringing more funding back to local municipalities and townships means we can fix the potholes. These are things that are important, and that Perry hasnt been doing.

Lynch grew up in Steelton public housing in a single-parent household, after his father died suddenly when Lynch was 3 years old. He says the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harrisburg helped shape him, and he later returned to become the organizations director of development.

He also served as director of community relations and engagement for the City of Harrisburg, where he was liaison between the citys police department and the community. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lynch worked with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to organize a food drive in Harrisburg.

His most recent role was as senior vice president and chief impact officer of WITF Public Media, where he led strategy and engagement on fundraising, government and community relations, and sales and marketing.

He and his wife Bryttani have two boys and live in Lower Paxton Township in Dauphin County.

Every single one of the jobs Ive held in my career, including my first minimum wage job at Wendys has been located here in central Pennsylvania, in the 10th Congressional district, Lynch said. We live here, our children attend local schools here in the district. So were all in and understand the issues that are going on and what people want, and the struggles theyre going through. I believe I can bring that understanding to this race, and really stand out with regards to my resume and track record of uplifting and serving the community.

The field of Democrats seeking to challenge Perry continues to grow; in addition to Lynch, it includes former WGAL-TV anchor Janelle Stelson; retired Marine Mike OBrien; Harrisburg City Councilor Shamaine Daniels, who is running her second campaign to try to unseat Perry; Carlisle school board member and Army veteran Rick Coplen, and retired Army sergeant Bob Forbes.

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Former WITF executive Blake Lynch launches bid for Congress ... - Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Candidates should be clear about their plans

We need to take the time to select the candidates that have a positive plan to improve our community and schools. This choice is an individual right for all citizens. Our selection should be based on the facts and not the negative ads or opinions heard on TV and social media. The facts are difficult to filter in todays world. I am troubled with the negative comments and out of context advertising. The best qualified candidates share the way they will improve current issues and work together to fulfill this goal. Some of the candidates desire to promote a working relationship with the teachers and parents to open communications and develop therapeutic outcomes as a team for our children. It is my hope for our community that we can come together and select candidates to improve our concerns. Respectful advertising and plans are the results of equality for all.

Doris Farrar

Lower Macungie Township

Apparently my parents didnt care for me as much as todays parents seem to care for their kids. I dont remember my parents going to school board meetings to ban books and argue over bathrooms and curricula. Their goal for me was to grow up to be open, honest, accepting and tolerant of those who were not like me.

Book bans and objections to curricula seem to me the parents way of taking the easy way out. These parents are trying to off-load onto school boards the parents obligations of teaching their kids the values and mores they want them to have. The tough questions at home about lifestyle and race wont need to be answered if kids are never exposed to radical ideas at school.

Those arguing for banning books are, consciously or unconsciously, trying to return America to some idealized version of its past. A past where homosexuality and race were discussed in hushed tones, if discussed at all. That past is long gone. Or is it fear of ridicule if their child develops a nonconventional lifestyle? It seems to me these parents need to step up and stop haranguing school boards to do their job for them.

Bruce Eppensteiner

Wind Gap

I just received a Commonsense Candidates mailing from the Southern Lehigh Grassroots PAC, urging me to vote for the Commonsense Team. While the mailer notes that Commonsense is not a Republican or Democratic concept, its five candidates are those same True Republicans who have been running for the Southern Lehigh School Board.

These candidates are espousing a responsible tax-and-spend policy, but I see from their literature that they are very concerned about which students are using which bathrooms. Hmmm. Not a high priority of mine. They want to cut wasteful spending. I agree. So lets not waste vital dollars on reconfiguring restrooms. They want to invest in our number one resource, our teachers. Yes! A much better idea. Especially since teacher contracts are on the upcoming agenda.

I believe it is time to stop the culture wars by not participating in them. So lets do that. Commonsenses Commitment to the SLSD Community reads more like a political manifesto than an educational plan. Should parents have a voice in their childrens education? Yes. Should they unilaterally dictate school policy? No. I am voting for the true bipartisan slate of Torba, Gehman, Kruse, Kearney and Boyer.

Jill Hirt

Upper Saucon Township

Over the last two years, South Whitehall Township has thrived under the leadership of the current Board of Commissioners! Many changes have been fairly discussed, resident comments sought, considered and implemented in a professional and transparent manner with processes to support the changes. The answer competence.

What does this mean for you?

Whether you participate in township meetings, or just enjoy the great SWT environment, the current Board of Commissioners, along with the highly competent township management and employees are all focused on delivering the best services to you. Our road issues are being addressed in a new and more comprehensive manner, open space, water and roads are priorities, first responders are well recoursed for your safety, tax and fee revenue is spent wisely, and businesses know what to expect from transparent zoning and township ordinances. This is the definition of thriving brought about by outstanding leadership.

When you cast your ballot, vote for the people whose leadership and vision will build on the past successes and deliver an ever-thriving community. Vote for Diane Kelly, Jacob Roth and Chris Peischl for Board of Commissioners for a thriving South Whitehall! The answer competence.

Susan Shortell

South Whitehall Township

I know Mike Faulkner very well and have tremendous respect for his knowledge, integrity, compassion and fairness. All very important attributes for a judge. Mike has been an outstanding public servant. He served over 20 years as a highly decorated Allentown police officer and 12 years as a magisterial district judge for Alburtis and Upper and Lower Macungie townships. Mike is a highly respected judge as evidenced by the endorsement of District Attorney Jim Martin and a number of local police associations along with Pa. State Police Lodge 40. Mike has earned our support! I urge you to get out and reelect Mike on Nov. 7.

Tom Acker

Lower Macungie Township

Not having children on sports teams anymore, Im not especially interested in local sports news, so I only skim it. However, I thoroughly enjoy the sports photos. Shots of football players leaping in the air, soccer teams reaching for a ball, girls volleyball players stretching for the return, basketball dunks, softball slides into base you name it. Your sports photographers always deliver.

Regina Fleissner

Bethlehem Township

ELECTION LETTERS

Letters to the editor about candidates and issues in the Nov. 7 election must be received by 10 a.m. Monday. Election-related letters will not be published after Thursday.

The Morning Call encourages community dialogue on important issues. Submit a letter to the editor atletters@mcall.com.

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Letters to the Editor: Negative comments bad for elections - The Morning Call

Roxane Gay (right) spoke about her new essay anthology titled Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other Peoples Business at Kindred Stories Oct. 18. Muna Nnamani / Thresher

By Muna Nnamani 10/24/23 11:37pm

R&B music filtered through the ballroom, mixing with the scuffling of shoes against hardwood as people rushed to settle in before New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay made her entrance. Once Gay stepped onto the stage, chatter quickly silenced and then burst into applause.

On Wednesday, Oct. 18, local Black-owned bookstore Kindred Stories hosted a talk with Gay and Rice English and Creative Writing professor Kiese Laymon. Though Laymon dropped out before the talk due to health complications, an employee from Kindred Stories served as an interim moderator, speaking with Gay about her newest book, an essay anthology titled Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other Peoples Business.

Gay opened her discussion by celebrating her mother, to whom she dedicated the book

Throughout my childhood, she had no qualms about expressing her opinions, and proudly so, Gay said. It always was astonishing to me that she didnt care, that she stood up for everything that was right and every opportunity that she could. And to see someone do that as an immigrant and we were in Omaha, Nebraska for the most part it took a lot of courage to do that.

Gay said her mother encouraged her and her two brothers to speak their minds, especially during family time around the dinner table. She and Gays father listened intently as their children spoke about their days at school.

They took us seriously, and they took our opinions seriously, Gay said. And that was certainly the foundation for deciding, Why not share my opinions?

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This is exactly what she sought to do in Opinions, a series of nonfiction essays from over the course of 10 years. Gay covers topics from culture wars to modern feminism in the same honest voice that made her previous books classics for disillusioned young people.

Gay said she sidestepped working on her main project at the time, a book now set to come out in 2025, to compile her best essays into Opinions. Topics like feminism and racism are recurring themes throughout all her work, and she said she will continue to write about them because bigotry is repetitive.

I just think you get to a point where you see so many young people and sometimes not so young people being brutalized, harmed, often killed and leaving a wake of destruction behind in those communities, Gay said, that you have to say, Enough. Lets stop trying to appease moderates.

When the talk opened to questions from the audience, Gay was asked how to form and share strong opinions. Her main advice was altering the inner monologue keeping us from expressing our thoughts changing why me? to why not?

A lot of people ask me, How do I find my voice? Gay said. Im like, You dont have to go anywhere. Its already there. You just have to sort of get out of your own way.

While Gay emphasized the importance of sharing strong opinions, she acknowledged that there are specific times and places where it is appropriate to do so.

There are worse things than missing the moment, because the world will go on without you sharing your thoughts on this thing, Gay said. Just because something isnt said on social media doesnt mean that people arent having conversations, perhaps in more intimate settings.

She emphasized the importance of being willing to learn and having the humility to stay quiet until you understand what is actually happening.

I have gotten more hate mail in the past 10 days for not saying anything [about the Israel-Hamas war] even though I actually have said plenty than Ive ever gotten in my whole life, Gay said. It has actually just made me double down, so to speak: No, Im not going to say the wrong thing, and more importantly, the uninformed thing.

Instead of attempting social media activism, Gay said she has been reading books about the history of Israeli and Palestinian relations, recommending My Promised Land by Ari Shavit.

Whenever something happens internationally, I traditionally say, Thats not really my area of expertise, Gay said. Last Sunday, I thought, Well, no it isnt, but you can actually do something about it. So I went and got some books and am trying to learn more.

The way that I recommend that people sort of help make the world a better place is at the community level, Gay added later. Look for mutual aid organizations or local nonprofits that have good track records of knowing how to spend the money that they get, and see how you can contribute to their efforts. Because almost everything begins at the local level.

Read the original here:
Roxane Gay talks 'Opinions' and learning to speak her mind - The Rice Thresher

The parent-school relationship has entered a dicey period.

Ask a teacher or principal in any type of school district you can think of, and they will likely tell you that, during their entire time in education, the last few years have been the worst in dealing with parents, writes Ryan Hooper, a Philadelphia middle school teacher, in an essay published by The Fordham Institute.

Is a reset and revived partnership possible?

In K-12 public education across North Carolina, state and local school authorities are scrambling to implement the Parents Bill of Rights by the Jan. 1, 2024 effective date. School boards and administrators are also fashioning policies to cope with challenges to books in classrooms and libraries and with raucous public comment during open meetings.

North Carolina illustrates the Republican-Democratic cleavage on education, which the Pew Research Center has neatly summarized in eight charts. Today, the public is sharply divided along partisan lines on topics ranging from what should be taught in schools to how much influence parents should have over the curriculum, Pew reports.

The 11-page state parents rights legislation is a product of that partisan division. Republican lawmakers designed it as a central element of their agenda.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the bill, saying, Parents are the most essential educators for their children and their involvement must be encouraged, but this bill will scare teachers into silence by injecting fear and uncertainty into classrooms. With their super-majority, Republicans voted to override the veto.

As North Carolina adjusts, it is instructive to read expressions of concern over frayed parent-school relations from national scholars and analysts along different points of the education policy spectrum. Lets consider specifically recent publications by The Thomas B. Fordham Institute on the center-right and the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution on the center-left.

The Fordham Institute has unveiled a call to action of its Building Bridges Initiative. Institute President Michael Petrilli wrote that something about education reform changed significantly in the mid-2010s, and not for the better. Political polarization put serious strain on the bipartisan movement, and culture wars are stressing what is left.

For Fordham, the core of education reform consists of ambitious standards and high-quality charter schools. For its Building Bridges Initiative, Fordham convened education advocates from across the ideological spectrum. They agreed to a belief in public education as a critical player in preparing citizens and deep respect for the role that educators and parents play in supporting student success.

A more responsive system, says the call to action, would be firmly centered around students. It would give parents and families true information, power, and agency to understand, support, choose, and advocate for their childrens education in a real and actionable way.

In his essay published by Fordham under the headline, Parents and schools need a reset, Hooper, the Philadelphia teacher, proposes several tactics to strengthen parent-teacher relationship. He suggests British-inspired codes of conduct for parents in using social media and attendance at school meetings. In turn, he writes, school leaders and staff have to accept warranted criticism from parents and be willing to address justifiable parent concerns. Schools, says Hooper, must be transparent about curriculum and classroom operations.

Partnerships with parents are key to solving heightened political polarization in schools, says the headline on a recent essay published by Brookings. Its authors are Ashley Woo and Melissa Kay Diliberti, both of the RAND Corporation, an international think-tank. Their essay calls for clear protocols for educators in responding to families and for greater transparency in explaining the professionalism and research behind instructional practices.

Educators dont need to hide from controversial topics, they write. They can (and should) bring families into respectful conversations to build a foundation of trust and shared goals with families before conflict arises.

Of course, conflicts have already arisen often stirred up by a small segment of people and are likely to persist for a while. Laws like the parents rights measure beget irritation more than promote healing. Still, its in the best interests of their students for North Carolina educators to work toward reviving the spirit of partnerships.

Ferrel Guillory serves on the board of directors of EducationNC and is professor of the practice emeritus at the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media.

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Perspective | Coping with frayed parent-school connections - EdNC