Dan Bebernitz is a Democrat and Hilltown Township resident.
Why do you think you are qualified to effectively represent your community on the school board?
I am a behavior analyst with over 12 years working in a variety of educational settings. In this career, I strive to support students with autism and other developmental disorders. This experience equips me with a strong understanding of Individualized Education Program [IEP] law, special education services, inclusive practices, classroom management as well as case management. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master of Arts in Education. These degrees further my involvement and knowledge-base for effective directorship on a school board. My background in schools gives me a well-rounded understanding of school operations, especially when it comes to special education services and finding creative solutions to funding issues. I am a parent of twin toddlers who will be joining Pennridge at Sellersville Elementary during my hopeful tenure on the school board. For my girls’ best interest, I am dedicated to keeping Pennridge’s proud reputation while raising academic opportunities for all. Finally, I am fully invested in this community and believe we all have a duty to give back. With my expertise, determination and level head I believe I can provide common sense decision-making for the road ahead. More important than my decades in education and certifications, the attribute I have that makes me most qualified for school board director is the ability to listen, clarify and make rational decisions when it comes to long-term solutions and balancing finances.
Over the past few years we have seen attempts by some school boards across Bucks County, as well as Pennsylvania and the country, to either unilaterally ban books or make it easier for community members to challenge and have books banned, often by usurping the authority of librarians and administrative leadership. What is your position on book banning, and how will you implement policies to support faculty and students?
First and foremost, I believe our educational system should engage parental inclusion at every opportunity. I believe parents should have the right to block their own children’s access to potentially problematic materials and lessons. While they may make individual decisions for what is right for their child, I do not believe that a parent has the right to ban or eliminate a book for an entire community. I trust in the professional decision-making of our academic supervisors, teachers and librarians to make appropriate judgment calls. I also trust in parental responsibility to review academic materials with their children frequently and be in contact with their teacher regarding concerns. The solution for any concern is not to unilaterally silence the opposition, the solution is increased communication and understanding.
Decreasing teacher and staff retention is a growing issue school districts are facing. What is your role in the recruiting, interviewing and hiring process and what role can a school board serve to reverse this trend?
From a purely transactional perspective, you get what you pay for. Lower pay means a less competitive hiring pool. Pennridge had the lowest paid teachers in the county until the most recent negotiations. The systematic disrespect and mismanagement from the 2021 school board, culminating in the Vermilion chaos, sent Pennridge staff fleeing. Losing 20% of our staff has some long-reaching complications, which the current board is still sorting out. In short, we have been neglectful to the people who teach and care for our children. I believe [a] school board directors’ role in staff retention is to modify policy and finances to attract the best possible applicants and retain the best faculty. Future salary negotiations should mirror the pride in our community: we are not the bottom of Bucks County, we are among its best! Interloping political activists are not needed or wanted here; we trust our curriculum coordinators to oversee quality education. Growth and dignity are built from within this community, and it is the job of school board directors to guide policy to reflect that.
A school board directors’ job is to guide policy, plan for the future and ensure best possible outcomes for our students by listening to the professionals and making decisions with their expertise.
What are the school board’s biggest challenges in the coming months; the next four years?
We have a lot to look forward to in terms of managerial responsibilities for Pennridge in the coming years. We are still building back our faculty after the Vermilion debacle drove out 20% of our teachers and staff. From the talks I’ve had with Pennridge teachers, new staff in support positions are well-trained to support classrooms but may not be aware of overlaps or gaps created due to so many new staff not yet working in conjunction. This interaction between staff in new roles needs to be fleshed out to deliver more effective support for students. This issue also highlights the importance of teacher retention; veteran staff with in-depth understanding of Pennridge’s operations provide benefits far beyond their title or responsibility.
In regards to long-term challenges, being careful with balancing the budget will always be a top concern for any school board, but Pennridge especially. Republican majority boards for the last nine years have been able to suppress raising taxes by diverting federal dollars meant for Covid-19 recoupment, gliding off new home construction which has now tapered off, borrowing from the district’s emergency funds and cutting programs for students. While these Band-Aid strategies may have delivered some instant gratification, Pennridge now finds itself with a budget smaller in regards to inflation than when we started. Until the spring salary negotiations, Pennridge had the lowest paid teachers in the county. While I admire financial savvy, the abhorrent treatment of our teachers from mismanagement is a concern that will crack away at our proud reputation.
How will you work with administrators and fellow board members to address the district’s biggest challenges in the short and long term?
Our job as school board directors is to be the overseeing body which ensures our school is a reflection of our community values. Collectively Tom Trauger, Carly Taylor, Nathaniel Leffever and I have knocked on literally thousands of doors, met with community groups, attended every board and committee meeting and personally talked with teachers and supervisors in Pennridge. We’ve done our best at listening to the community and hearing what matters most, and we will continue to do so if elected. While we’ve become well-versed in what the Pennridge community cares for in our children’s education, board directors are not as qualified or experienced as the administration in the actual teaching and running of a school. It is our job as school board directors to listen to the experts we have and use their vast knowledge to shape policy. I highly respect the work of Superintendent Dr. Berrios in navigating the partisan chaos he was introduced to here at Pennridge. I’ve been thrilled with the fresh vision and determination of Dr. [Jennifer] Bloom as director of teaching, learning, and assessment [TLA.] I am incredibly thankful for the insightful committee presentations from Sean Daubert, our COO. These professionals, and all the experts they work alongside, demonstrate talent that we are lucky to have. A school board directors’ job is to guide policy, plan for the future and ensure best possible outcomes for our students by listening to the professionals and making decisions with their expertise. I intend to shape the growth of Pennridge by listening, respecting and requiring the best from our administration. I look forward to working with the current board to continue the successes they’ve delivered to this community.
