Jonathan Russell is a Republican and Hilltown Township resident.
Why do you think you are qualified to effectively represent your community on the school board?
Having served on the board for two years in the past, and still having two children in the district, I feel that I can add value to the board. I feel as though there is a need to have reasonably-minded people in this leadership position in our community. By way of background and experience as a trial attorney for the past 32 years, I understand how to resolve issues, even with my adversaries. I bring a logical, rational and reasoned approach to problem-solving. Additionally, I have over 20 years of experience in board governance with various non-profit organizations. As to my leadership style, I have a collaborative approach to board engagement, which hopefully invites people to work with and not against one another. I understand that the process of reaching a decision can be as important as the decision itself.
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 seldom defined but often used to claim that someone is engaging in “cultural wars.” A school cannot “ban” a book from being read by a student. The issue is whether our community’s resources should be used to purchase material that is not age-appropriate.
I remain in favor of providing our schools with age-appropriate curricula. I am also in favor of having an internal district-wide process to determine whether a particular book is appropriate for students of a certain age. I also support good and responsible parents who seek to fulfill their parental obligation to protect their children’s well-being by challenging curricula that undermine that role.
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?
Other than in the process of interviewing and hiring the district superintendent, school directors should not participate in interviewing and hiring teachers and staff. Good teachers are attracted to school districts where they feel valued, appreciated and trusted. Districts that can cultivate such an environment will attract and retain good educators and staff.
I have a collaborative approach to board engagement, which hopefully invites people to work with and not against one another. I understand that the process of reaching a decision can be as important as the decision itself.
What are the school board’s biggest challenges in the coming months; the next four years?
It currently appears that Pennridge is losing students and not gaining students. Our student census has dropped by 1,000 over the past six years. In the days ahead, I think the board will be facing issues of right-sizing resources to meet the changing needs of the community.
How will you work with administrators and fellow board members to address the district’s biggest challenges in the short and long term?
1) To ask good questions; 2) To be a good listener; 3) To ensure that policy decisions and the strategic direction of the district are consistent with equipping students with the foundational knowledge or necessary skill set to enter either college or the workforce; 4) To ensure that the superintendent is implementing district policies effectively; 5) to approve a budget which is appropriate for the size and strategic direction of our district; and 6) to evaluate performance goals, which the enacted policies had hoped to achieve.
On September 30, from 7-9 p.m., there will be a Pennridge School Board Candidate Forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Bucks County. For more information visit: https://my.lwv.org/pennsylvania/bucks-county/event/pennridge-school-board-candidate-forum
PENNRIDGE CANDIDATE Q&A’s:
School Board Candidate Q&A: Nathaniel Leffever – Pennridge School District
School Board Candidate Q&A: Carly Taylor – Pennridge School District
