Cheryl Rickert is a Democrat running in Council Rock School Board Region 8.
Why do you think you are qualified to effectively represent your community on the school board?
As a marketing manager and mom of two young children, I bring both professional experience and a deep personal investment in our schools. I have a strong business background and years of experience working in complex, matrixed organizations where influencing, collaborating, and managing change effectively are essential. In a school district the size of Council Rock, knowing how to create collaboration and effective communication is vital to success.
Having lived in Upper Makefield township for 12 years and spending the past five years as a parent in Council Rock, I am lucky to have firsthand insight into how board decisions impact students, families, teachers, and taxpayers. I’m committed to listening and understanding different viewpoints, fostering respectful dialogue, and helping guide thoughtful discussions on the board and with district leadership. My approach is grounded in collaboration and evidence-based decision making, always keeping the focus on what’s best for our students and ensuring our schools continue to reflect the strength and values of our community.
Over the past few years, we have seen attempts by 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 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?
I do not support book bans or policies that attempt to limit students’ access to a broad and diverse range of topics and ideas. Public education should give students the tools to think critically, not tell them what to think. That means exposing them to a wide variety of books, topics, and perspectives that reflect both our shared values and the diversity of the world around them.
READ: Council Rock Students’ Fight for Academic Freedom Is Just Beginning (April 2022)
It is important that we put trust in our librarians and administrative leadership to make thoughtful, professional decisions about educational materials. They are trained to curate content that supports learning, fosters critical thinking, and is developmentally appropriate.
Decreasing teacher and staff retention is also 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 do to reverse this trend?
The school board plays a critical role in ensuring the district can effectively recruit and retain excellent teachers and staff. While board members are not involved in the day-to-day hiring process, it is our responsibility to provide the resources and infrastructure that enable district leadership to attract, hire and retain top talent.
Too often, teachers and educational professionals have not been given the recognition and respect they deserve. I believe it is the board’s duty to ensure that our budget priorities, contracts, salaries, training and development opportunities reflect the essential role educators play in our community and in shaping future generations.
I believe the key to addressing the district’s biggest challenges is collaboration, transparency, and a shared commitment to putting students first.
What are the school board’s biggest challenges in the coming months; the next four years?
In the coming months, one of the school board’s biggest challenges will be funding changes that may occur with federal funding for the district and a delay in state funding. It will be essential to stay focused on collaboration and making decisions that are in the best interest of students when faced with budget challenges.
Looking further ahead the district needs to ensure they have a comprehensive capital funding plan to address facilities renovation and rebuilding needs. Special education is another area that requires continued focus and improvement to expand the services provided and ensure appropriate development and training is offered for teachers.
The board must balance these goals with maintaining reasonable tax levels in a district with numerous facilities and ambitions to remain among the top districts in the state, while continuing to have one of the lowest school tax burdens in Bucks County. Addressing these challenges successfully will require collaboration, forward-thinking planning, and a steadfast commitment to the students and the community we serve.
How will you work with the administrators and fellow board members to address the district’s biggest challenges?
I believe the key to addressing the district’s biggest challenges is collaboration, transparency, and a shared commitment to putting students first. Successful progress depends on board members and administrators working together, setting aside politics, and focusing on practical solutions rather than political theatrics.
Administrators and board members need to work hand in hand to maintain and build on the district’s positive momentum. This means administrators openly sharing challenges, recommendations, and opportunities for improvement, while the board listens, engages, and collaborates to develop effective solutions. By fostering a culture of trust and partnership, we can ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of our students and community.
For more information visit Together for Council Rock.
