Vote for 5

(Unless otherwise noted, all candidates are cross-filed as Republicans and Democrats)

Matt Bishop

No response

Bryan Fleeger

Residence: Fairview Township

Education: Bachelor of Science-Occupational Health and Safety Management from Slippery Rock University

Occupation: Maintenance at AK Steel Butler Works

Jim Fred Friters

Residence: Fairview Township

Education: Williamsport Community College

Occupation: Lab Tester at Calumet Penreco

Chad Hershberger

Residence: Fairview Township

Education: Associate Degree Electrical Technology from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Occupation: Maintenance supervisor

Jason K. Hawk (Republican only)

Residence: Bradys Bend Township, Armstrong County

Education: Bachelor’s in Science in Business Management with emphasis in Human Resources and Criminal Justice, Colorado State University

Occupation: Security manager, Carnegie Mellon University/Software Engineering Institute

Dennis C. Kelly

Residence: Fairview Township

Education: Associate Degree

Occupation: Semi-retired

Kathy McBride

No response

Joshua E. Price

Residence: Bruin

Education: Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology

Occupation: Technical Services — Senior Analyst for USA Compression

QUESTION: Why are you running for school board?

FLEEGER: I am an incumbent of the Karns City School Board and have had the privilege to have been a representative of our community and a voice of our local taxpayers. I have two children that attend this district and am very proud of the education they are receiving.

I would very much like to continue being involved in the decision making process that I believe has ranked our district as one of the best school districts in the state.

FRITERS: I am committed to helping our school district use our funds in the most effective way that benefits our children and the community.

With my current school board experience I have learned of the issues that our district faces and I am confident that my participation will be an asset to our future. I have come to know what a great group of people we have working in our district.

HAWK: I am a believer in active community involvement; I enjoy kids and contributing to their successes. I currently have a senior attending Karns City High School and two younger children at Sugarcreek Elementary.

I served two years on a board of education in Colorado before relocating to Pennsylvania; comparatively sized and rural similar to KCSD. During our transition, we chose KCSD for the quality education and subsequently located our home in the school district.

HERSHBERGER: My wife and I just had our first child and he will attend school within the district, and I would like to have a say in the decisions being made that will ultimately affect him.

KELLY: I am seeking my second term as a Karns City school board member. I ran the first time because as a graduate of Karns City and lifelong resident of the district, I have a strong interest in its success. I believe that students must receive the best education and outcomes as possible.

The board’s duty is to listen to community members and work with the administration to ensure this occurs.

PRICE: I want to help navigate issues that are in Karns City’s future. The districts buildings, for instance. With millions of dollars in renovation needed in the next 5 to 10 years, we are discussing about consolidating to a “one campus” model or not.

I want to make sure the public is involved and all questions are answered, moving forward. I want to assure that the plan helps us both, educationally and financially, for years to come.

QUESTION: What are the pressing issues the board will have to tackle and how should they be addressed?

FLEEGER: I believe the most daunting issue for all school districts is creating a balance between providing our students with the highest quality of education available without overburdening our taxpayers.

FRITERS: Declining enrollment, loss of tax dollars, current age of our facilities and balancing the budget are just a few of the pressing issues the board faces on a regular basis.

As a school board member, it is our job to address these issues in a manner that benefits our district. It is imperative that we receive input from community members, employees, students and professionals when needed.

HAWK: People and facilities are the two largest budgetary drivers of a school district. Quality education starts with the people; staff and administrators. Retention and recruiting for the best teachers are primary.

KCSD has had a campus consolidation strategy recently revived. I’m anxious to become involved in this as a parent and taxpayer to determine if these proposed changes will actually ameliorate real or perceived issues. All this needs accomplished while continuing the immense community involvement that KCSD has established locally.

HERSHBERGER: There is talk of a centralized school within the district and I would like to hear both sides of the debate and make a final decision that will benefit the students and the community.

KELLY: Currently, the board is in the planning stage of consolidation of the schools, moving toward a single campus.

This is something that we will need to do carefully, thoughtfully, and with input from the community. Consideration of the needs of the students and the community, while being fiscally responsible, is of utmost importance.

Schools used to be the center of the community. We need to get back to that.

PRICE: Health insurance is an issue, with costs rising every year. Working as a team with the employees, we will keep premiums as low as possible, while trying to maintain coverage.

Another issue would be technology. This year we introduced a new technology department to push us forward. Utilization of some of these programs will begin next year. Giving children tools, both inside and out of the classroom, to help learn.

QUESTION: How would you balance holding down the expenses with maintaining quality education in the classroom?

FLEEGER: Our No. 1 priority as school board directors is to provide our students with a high level education that will ensure their future success, while maintaining a safe environment.

I believe that this has to be accomplished through carefully evaluating our priorities.

FRITERS: One way to accomplish this is by creating a positive work environment between board members, staff and administration.

This leads to a common goal of finding new ways to lower expenses such as day-to-day costs, busing and utilities. This also ensures that the money available to our community is spent in the most beneficial way to improve the quality of our children’s education.

HAWK: We’re in dynamic times with Gov. Wolf’s proposals of increased school funding with increased homestead exemptions coming from the school districts. This will create challenging budget projections while opening possible opportunities that haven’t been available in years past.

People remain our greatest strength. Efforts to ensure the right people in the right place will ensure that we will not need “more” to accomplish more. This guarantees that any additional resources can be directly invested to your child’s education.

HERSHBERGER: I would ensure that our money would go to quality programs that provide students, at any education level, with a high-quality education that prepares them for a bright future.

KELLY: This is a challenge that all districts face. Each year, the board must work with the superintendent, administration and business manager to ensure all money is being spent in a responsible manner. The board must watch closely how the state budget process plays out as well.

Being mindful of this, the teachers in the classroom must be given what they need to be as effective as possible.

PRICE: Education is paramount. Every decision I make has the child’s best interests in mind.

We have still taken steps to help with costs. Using naming rights to alleviate equipment upgrade costs. We’ve had savings on attrition, with our declining student population. We look for saving on materials, instead of automatically purchasing from one vendor. We have given pay freezes to any administrator not fulfilling our standards. There is a constant watch on this balance.