Elizabeth is a Democrat and Upper Southampton Township resident.
Why do you think you are qualified to effectively represent your community on the school board?
I feel qualified because I am a public school teacher. I have lived and breathed public school since first grade, through college, a master’s degree and into my professional career, working at five different public school systems over my 12 years as a public school teacher. I have students and the community’s best interests at heart as well as teachers, because I live that life day in and day out. I also wish to make Centennial School District better each day so my own two toddlers, when they are school-aged, will have the highest quality education. This matters on a personal level to me and my family.
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?
Book banning does not have a place in the Centennial School District. All books are welcome the same way we welcome all people. As for implementation of policy, I can promise to stick to my values and make sure every book has a place in our libraries and on our classroom bookshelves.
Working with librarians and their professional recommendations is another way to ensure equity for all students in the Centennial School District. Librarians have book selection policies in place to make sure books are added to our shelves based on an established criteria and not just personal preference. Our students are in great hands.
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?
As a future school board member, I can make sure that all that are hired are qualified, engaged in the school environment and hope to better each day of the school year for students. Those who put their heart into working with students and staff of a school district are valuable to a school district’s eco system. I can attest to how quality hires of people who care can create an environment within a school that no one wants to leave. When we all work together from the top to the bottom there is more shared happiness and retention of staff.
Book banning does not have a place in the Centennial School District.
What is the school board’s biggest challenge(s) in the coming months; the next four years (please speak to short and long term).
In the coming months challenges will include working together and respecting everyone’s views. Right now, board meetings have been heated, and we all need to find common ground to work cohesively. Active listening and respecting each person’s personal beliefs will help to create a less divisive meeting environment. I feel that I can bring balance to the current environment and continue to level-headedly lead our community as a school director. Once we understand each other, we will need to set long-term educational and financial goals that meet the needs of students, staff and the community!
How will you work with administrators and fellow board members to address the district’s biggest challenge(s) in the short and long term?
As I said in the previous question, I am open to having conversations and listening to both administrators and other board members. Working collaboratively will ensure that our Centennial School District is headed in the right direction! This works for both short and long-term because we can never stop respecting each other and putting students, teachers and the community first. Leading with kindness and an open mind can change the trajectory of our whole school district for the better, for our future students!
Centennial Candidate Q&A’s:
School Board Candidate Q&A: Jane Schrader Lynch – Centennial School District
School Board Candidate Q&A: Flemming Godiksen – Centennial School District
