Daniel Mainieri III is a Republican and Hilltown Township resident.
Why do you think you are qualified to effectively represent your community on the school board?
As a recent alumnus of the [Pennridge] school district and active participant in local government, I believe I offer a unique perspective that differentiates me from the other candidates. From an early age, I was inspired by my grandfather’s commitment to public service; a legacy that instilled in me the importance of giving back to my community. That guiding principle has led me to give back to my community in various roles, including currently serving as Judge of Elections in West Rockhill Township and working [for] the Pennsylvania State Senate. These roles have allowed me to engage directly with the residents of the district, gaining a clear understanding of their values, priorities and concerns. I believe all politics are local and that approach is the same one I will take if given the opportunity to serve on the school board.
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?
The term “book banning” is used frequently in discussions regarding schools, but is never clearly defined. I am not interested in prohibiting students from reading any book. What I am concerned about, and think that there should be a conversation on, is what is appropriate and what isn’t for students at all grade levels.
READ: Banned Books Week: A Local Reflection From a Pennridge School District Dad
I firmly believe that we can balance age appropriate material with guidance from our teachers and librarians, while also ensuring all parents are properly informed about what their children are reading while in school. If a parent has a concern about the content of a book, the district should allow them the opportunity to voice their concerns and review the questioned literature if necessary.
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?
It is the role of the school board to hire and interview for the superintendent position. It is not and should not be the role of the board to participate in the process of on-boarding teachers or staff. It is the role of a school board director to assist in building an environment that makes teachers and staff feel valued, respected and appreciated. If this is done properly by a school board, then there should not be a shortage of staff in that district.
The first part of healthy collaboration is being transparent. Not just amongst fellow board members and school administrators, but also to parents and all community stakeholders.
What are the school board’s biggest challenges in the coming months; the next four years?
The biggest issue that comes to mind is that the school district is losing students. In the past six years, the district is servicing 1,000 less students. The board going forward must focus on ensuring the right-sizing of resources to address these changes in our community, as well as being good stewards of the taxpayers’ money. The board must be fiscally responsible and make sound financial decisions that will not jeopardize the well-being of the district and the students who are served by it.
How will you work with administrators and fellow board members to address the district’s biggest challenges in the short and long term?
The first part of healthy collaboration is being transparent. Not just amongst fellow board members and school administrators, but also to parents and all community stakeholders. Decisions should also, at the very least, allow these stakeholders to have input, even if not everyone agrees on the outcome.This means being a good listener. If I am elected to the board [I will ensure] we focus on solving problems, not creating them.
PENNRIDGE CANDIDATE Q&A’s:
School Board Candidate Q&A: Thomas Trauger – Pennridge School District
School Board Candidate Q&A: Jonathan Russell – Pennridge School District
School Board Candidate Q&A: Nathaniel Leffever – Pennridge School District
School Board Candidate Q&A: Carly Taylor – Pennridge School District
