Nicole Khan is a Democrat running in Council Rock School Board Region 9.
Why do you think you are qualified to effectively represent your community on the school board?
I have served as a school board director for the past 2 years. In those 2 years I have advocated for and supported educational initiatives and student safety programs including championing full day kindergarten, increased literacy and math supports, the Safe Heart Schools partnership with CHOP, and the Safe Touch program, and ensuring special education has a regular place at our education committee meetings. As a former teacher, current parent of an elementary student in Council Rock, and active member of the community for over 20 years I feel my experiences bring a unique perspective to our board and district.
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?
As a public school system where education is the focus, I feel that book banning or systematic removal of books from library shelves does our students a disservice. Our district has always had an opt out option for families who feel certain content or books are not appropriate for their child.
READ: The Quiet Creep of Censorship: How ‘Everyday Banning’ Is Reshaping American Schools
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 heart of a school district is its teachers and staff. In my two years serving on the Council Rock board, I have had the honor to participate in multiple principal and administrative interviews. I also served on our negotiating team for the most recent teacher’s union contract. Throughout this process, I have learned a lot about the challenges of attracting, recruiting, and retaining the best teachers. Board members need to find a balance that enables districts to hire, recognize, and retain great teachers while being fiscally responsible with tax payer dollars.
The heart of a school district is its teachers and staff.
What are the school board’s biggest challenges in the coming months; the next four years?
In the short term, some of the biggest challenges facing school districts in PA have to do with government funding – both the instability of federal funding and the current state budget impasse. These budgeted funds are necessary for school districts to pay their bills and continue important educational programming. School districts also rely heavily on federal funds for school-based meals and services for our most at-risk students, including special services. In the long term, I have a few top concerns. First, of course, the need to protect public education, which is under attack. In addition, with rising costs and uncertain funding sources, it will be difficult to plan for both long-term and short-term capital projects. Finally, districts across the country will face challenges with the ever-changing and growing place of AI in our lives. Schools must find a balance between using AI to enrich education and protecting student safety.
How will you work with administrators and fellow board members to address the district’s biggest challenges?
I will continue to work with both administration and fellow board colleagues to make well-informed, student-centered and fiscally responsible decisions to ensure the district is on a forward trajectory. I am committed to providing every student with the best education possible to enable their future success.
Council Rock Candidate Q&A’s:
School Board Candidate Q&A: Cheryl Rickert – Council Rock School District
