Candidates who have cross-filed (qualified for both party ballots) are listed only once under the Democratic Party. Each entry includes the candidate’s name, post office, and year of birth.
REGION I
4 YEAR TERM
(VOTE FOR TWO)
Dem/Rep - George L. Rowley
128 Strangford Rd.
Blairsville, PA 15717
Year of Birth:
QUESTION 1: What in your background, training and experience qualifies you to be an effective school board member?
QUESTION 2: There is some concern that the No Child Left Behind focus on testing in reading, math, and science leaves scant time and attention for other important goals of public education. What other areas do you think are important to emphasize so that our children grow to become healthy, responsible and productive citizens?
QUESTION 3: The PA School Boards Association Standards for Effective School Governance state that school boards govern by reviewing, revising and adopting board policy and delegate to the superintendent responsibility for implementation of board policy. Do you agree with this statement? Why, or why not?
QUESTION 4: Much of the burden of paying for public education falls on local taxpayers. Under Act 1 (2006) school districts may not raise their tax rates above a state-determined index without voter approval-- the “back-end” referendum. In what areas do you think funding could be decreased or even eliminated to balance the school budget and stay below the index?
Dem/Rep - B. Edward Smith
114 Locust St.
Blairsville, PA 15717
Year of Birth:
QUESTION 1: What in your background, training and experience qualifies you to be an effective school board member?
QUESTION 2: There is some concern that the No Child Left Behind focus on testing in reading, math, and science leaves scant time and attention for other important goals of public education. What other areas do you think are important to emphasize so that our children grow to become healthy, responsible and productive citizens?
QUESTION 3: The PA School Boards Association Standards for Effective School Governance state that school boards govern by reviewing, revising and adopting board policy and delegate to the superintendent responsibility for implementation of board policy. Do you agree with this statement? Why, or why not?
QUESTION 4: Much of the burden of paying for public education falls on local taxpayers. Under Act 1 (2006) school districts may not raise their tax rates above a state-determined index without voter approval-- the “back-end” referendum. In what areas do you think funding could be decreased or even eliminated to balance the school budget and stay below the index?
REGION II
4 YEAR TERM
(VOTE FOR TWO)
Dem/Rep - Holly Tonkin
1515 Bruner Rd.
Blairsville, PA 15717
Year of Birth:
1973
QUESTION 1: What in your background, training and experience qualifies you to be an effective school board member?
I am currently a public school teacher in Westmoreland County. I feel I bring a strong educational background as well as having children of my own that attend the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District. This background and interest in the district are what I believe will guide me in being an effective school board member.
QUESTION 2: There is some concern that the No Child Left Behind focus on testing in reading, math, and science leaves scant time and attention for other important goals of public education. What other areas do you think are important to emphasize so that our children grow to become healthy, responsible and productive citizens?
There are other areas of the curriculum that are also important besides reading, math, and science. I feel that time/attention also need to be spent on teaching are children the importance of art, music, and physical education. Time for current events and community awareness are also important to produce well-rounded individuals.
QUESTION 3: The PA School Boards Association Standards for Effective School Governance state that school boards govern by reviewing, revising and adopting board policy and delegate to the superintendent responsibility for implementation of board policy. Do you agree with this statement? Why, or why not?
I agree with the statement that school board members need to be able to step back and look at what policies are working and which ones are not. The policies that are not effective can be revised and implemented into new policy to see if a positive change occurs. The board members also need be team players and work together with the superintendent to execute new policies.
QUESTION 4: Much of the burden of paying for public education falls on local taxpayers. Under Act 1 (2006) school districts may not raise their tax rates above a state-determined index without voter approval-- the “back-end” referendum. In what areas do you think funding could be decreased or even eliminated to balance the school budget and stay below the index?
There are many areas that can be looked at when trying to save the school district money. One example is the hiring of high price individuals from outside of the area to serve as consultants to the school. I feel that using local people with less travel expense and more interest in helping the community is one example of saving taxpayer dollars.
Dem - Mary J. Whitfield
126 Lloyd St.
Blairsville, PA 15717
Year of Birth:
QUESTION 1: What in your background, training and experience qualifies you to be an effective school board member?
QUESTION 2: There is some concern that the No Child Left Behind focus on testing in reading, math, and science leaves scant time and attention for other important goals of public education. What other areas do you think are important to emphasize so that our children grow to become healthy, responsible and productive citizens?
QUESTION 3: The PA School Boards Association Standards for Effective School Governance state that school boards govern by reviewing, revising and adopting board policy and delegate to the superintendent responsibility for implementation of board policy. Do you agree with this statement? Why, or why not?
QUESTION 4: Much of the burden of paying for public education falls on local taxpayers. Under Act 1 (2006) school districts may not raise their tax rates above a state-determined index without voter approval-- the “back-end” referendum. In what areas do you think funding could be decreased or even eliminated to balance the school budget and stay below the index?
Rep – Joseph Henigin
2275 Thompson Rd.
Blairsville, PA 15717
Year of Birth:
QUESTION 1: What in your background, training and experience qualifies you to be an effective school board member?
QUESTION 2: There is some concern that the No Child Left Behind focus on testing in reading, math, and science leaves scant time and attention for other important goals of public education. What other areas do you think are important to emphasize so that our children grow to become healthy, responsible and productive citizens?
QUESTION 3: The PA School Boards Association Standards for Effective School Governance state that school boards govern by reviewing, revising and adopting board policy and delegate to the superintendent responsibility for implementation of board policy. Do you agree with this statement? Why, or why not?
QUESTION 4: Much of the burden of paying for public education falls on local taxpayers. Under Act 1 (2006) school districts may not raise their tax rates above a state-determined index without voter approval-- the “back-end” referendum. In what areas do you think funding could be decreased or even eliminated to balance the school budget and stay below the index?
REGION III
4 YEAR TERM
Dem - Beverly Kusma Caranese
600 Market St.
Saltsburg, PA 15681
Year of Birth: 1951
QUESTION 1: What in your background, training and experience qualifies you to be an effective school board member?
Born raised and educated in the Saltsburg School District. Single mother of three sons. Middle child graduating from University of Pittsburgh and my other sons are gainfully employed. I am currently a fulltime caregiver for my Mother who suffers from Alzheimers. Previous to assuming this responsibility I was employed by Westmoreland Regional Hospital. My work experience includes serving as Business Manager for a construction company owned by my ex-husband and myself. Also, before marriage I worked in Pittsburgh for a lawfirm. Most recently I have devoted the last three years to the office of Treasurer and chief fundraiser of Save Our Schools the group devoted to preventing consolidation and busing our students to Blairsville. In that capacity I have served as Legal Liaison with the groups attorneys and working with the local community officials including current and former School Board members. In addition, I was elected to Saltsburg Borough Council in 2006. If election to the School Board, I will be resigning my position on Borough Council .
QUESTION 2: There is some concern that the No Child Left Behind focus on testing in reading, math, and science leaves scant time and attention for other important goals of public education. What other areas do you think are important to emphasize so that our children grow to become healthy, responsible and productive citizens?
First of all regarding No Child Left Behind, I am against unfunded mandates of this type which places burdens upon an already overtaxed and overworked public school system. Time and time again politicians have made a political football out of education and No Child Left Behind is a prime example. While the title is catchy and the goals admirable, without the funding to go with it we are taking eyes off the real prize~a quality education for every child directed by fully trained professional educators not elected officials with no background or experience. We must make it easier for teachers to teach and students to learn without artificial contrivances and take time away from essential teaching of core courses to prepare for standardized testing. I am a firm advocate for extra curricular activity that encourages the growth of socialization skills and building strong minds and bodies. I favor increase funding and no decrease funding in that area. Title IX has my complete support.
QUESTION 3: The PA School Boards Association Standards for Effective School Governance state that school boards govern by reviewing, revising and adopting board policy and delegate to the superintendent responsibility for implementation of board policy. Do you agree with this statement? Why, or why not?
I agree with the statement but do not favor micro-management by the School Boards. Furtherance of personal agendas, hidden agendas and taxpayer groups whose goals are to lessen public funding have far too much power when it comes to local governance. Policies should be shaped by Board members through concensus building and requires a reflection of the will of the people who elected the School Board member not the personal and isolated viewpoint of the elected Board member. Government by representation does not mean government by personal opinion and vested interest.A School Board member is the spokesperson for the majority will of the community. In order for that to occur listen skills become more important than speaking sklls.
QUESTION 4: Much of the burden of paying for public education falls on local taxpayers. Under Act 1 (2006) school districts may not raise their tax rates above a state-determined index without voter approval-- the “back-end” referendum. In what areas do you think funding could be decreased or even eliminated to balance the school budget and stay below the index?
I do not favor outsourcing Special Education services to private schools and sending special needs children to Intermediate Unit if it can be proven that localization can be handled in a cost saving manner without loss of efficiency. I favor cooperative bidding processes where School Districts order supplies and equipment in a joint effort, .Frankly, I would take a close look at the Administrative structure of the district to determine whether the School DIstrict is top heavy preferring to put money into teachers, classroom, direct services to students. I believe strongly in line item veto on school budgets.
Rep - Carol S. Buterbaugh
420 Washington St.
Saltsburg, PA 15681
Year of Birth: 1947
QUESTION 1: What in your background, training and experience qualifies you to be an effective school board member?
It is my belief that an effective school board produces a strong school. To become an effective school board it members should have some knowledge in the workings of the school system, they must have a sincere interest in public education and be committed to improving student learning. This is where my qualifications become evident. I have a BA degree from the University of Pittsburgh in English and am certified in the state of Pennsylvania to teach at the Secondary level. I have been a member of the Saltsburg High School staff since the fall of 1978. I have also been involved in curriculum development both for the English Department and the Business Department. I have been a member of the Site-based Management Team for the past 8 years. Through this team I have helped develop , implement, and help seek creative solutions to adopting a budget for my school As a member of my Association’s Executive Council, and an officer in my union I have help negotiate contracts. My beliefs are that if a person has knowledge about the inner workings of the school system it will help them to become a more effective leader. I am retiring in June and will have the time to serve. I have lived in the Saltsburg area since 1977. I raised my two sons in this community and hopefully they have learned the values of a small town. Because of the above qualities I believe that I have the leadership abilities to become an effective School Board member.
QUESTION 2: There is some concern that the No Child Left Behind focus on testing in reading, math, and science leaves scant time and attention for other important goals of public education. What other areas do you think are important to emphasize so that our children grow to become healthy, responsible and productive citizens?
In order for a child to grow up to be a productive adult there are many things that are needed. Reading, writing, math and science are important, but a student needs a well rounded curriculum to excel. Family and Consumer Science, Art, Music, Computer classes, Technology, foreign language, and Physical Education all serve an important part in the lives of today’s students. It is my belief that the fallacy behind No child Left Behind is that in order to be compliant with the rules, schools begin teaching to the test, and the other subjects become unimportant.
QUESTION 3: The PA School Boards Association Standards for Effective School Governance state that school boards govern by reviewing, revising and adopting board policy and delegate to the superintendent responsibility for implementation of board policy. Do you agree with this statement? Why, or why not?
Successful education relies on a good relationship between the superintendent and the school board. I agree that the superintendent is the person responsible for implementing policy. He is the educator in charge and must interpret the policies, and implement them to the advantage of the students and staff in the district. Education is why schools exist and the policies should be a reflection of this goal.
QUESTION 4: Much of the burden of paying for public education falls on local taxpayers. Under Act 1 (2006) school districts may not raise their tax rates above a state-determined index without voter approval-- the “back-end” referendum. In what areas do you think funding could be decreased or even eliminated to balance the school budget and stay below the index?
In today’s economy most schools are run on a bare bones budget to begin with. Eliminating programs is not the answer to bettering our children’s education. Additional state and Federal funding would help ease some of the crisis. The answer to funding schools needs to be dealt with in Harrisburg and Washington
REGION III
2 YEAR TERM
Dem/Rep - Linda L. Johnson
4390 Elders Ridge Rd.
Saltsburg, PA 15681
Year of Birth:
QUESTION 1: What in your background, training and experience qualifies you to be an effective school board member?
QUESTION 2: There is some concern that the No Child Left Behind focus on testing in reading, math, and science leaves scant time and attention for other important goals of public education. What other areas do you think are important to emphasize so that our children grow to become healthy, responsible and productive citizens?
QUESTION 3: The PA School Boards Association Standards for Effective School Governance state that school boards govern by reviewing, revising and adopting board policy and delegate to the superintendent responsibility for implementation of board policy. Do you agree with this statement? Why, or why not?
QUESTION 4: Much of the burden of paying for public education falls on local taxpayers. Under Act 1 (2006) school districts may not raise their tax rates above a state-determined index without voter approval-- the “back-end” referendum. In what areas do you think funding could be decreased or even eliminated to balance the school budget and stay below the index?
