Why I'm Running
Our schools serve a vital function in our society, teaching our children basic academic skills, critical thinking, and how to become productive members of society. In recent years, we have seen increased political activism focused on the schools, including at Cumberland Valley, that have little to do with achieving the goal of a school. The result has been a series of public black eyes for the district. My goal in running is to return the school board to its appropriate functions of oversight and budgetary responsibility. We must get back to leaving the day-to-day operations of the schools to those professionals hired by the school board. As a father of two children in the district, I am directly invested in restoring CV’s reputation and seeing our schools perform at the highest possible level.
About Me
I was born in a small farm town, the son of a steelworker father and a factory worker mother who taught me the values of hard work and determination. I became the first member of my family to attend college (Hillsdale College), where I studied psychology and history. After graduating, I earned my doctorate in clinical psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, specializing in the treatment of abused and neglected children. I then spent several years working in universities and children’s hospitals in California, Texas, and Utah. I returned to Pennsylvania in 2014 following child abuse allegations at Penn State University when I was recruited by the Penn State Children’s Hospital to develop and direct an outpatient treatment program for maltreated children. The program I built is now an internationally recognized model for the clinical care of maltreated children and conducts cutting edge research funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Children’s Miracle Network. Through these experiences, I have worked with people from all types of backgrounds, managed multi-million dollar budgets, navigated state and federal regulations, and have always put the well-being of children first and foremost. I continue in this work as a Professor of Pediatrics in the Penn State College of Medicine.
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Issues
- Focus on Education
- Budget & Tax Relief
- Community
- Keep the Politics Out
Academics & Curriculum
We need to ensure that all students graduate fully equipped for whatever path they chose after leaving CV. In other words, we must remember that all three aspects of the “Employ, Enroll, Enlist” mission are valued and must be adequately supported.
Field Trips
Children learn best when they are actively engaged. This is why field trips are so important. Instead of just seeing and hearing, they need to be doing. I will work with local legislators and the administration to preserve field trips.
Career & Technical Education
We need to expand vocational and technical education to meet growing demand. Graduates in applied trades have strong earning potential and career prospects, benefiting both them and our community’s future.
Recruiting & Retaining Educators
I’ve heard from several teachers and administrators that many feel unsupported by the school board. With nearby districts offering higher pay, we risk a teacher shortage as our best educators leave. It’s vital for the board to provide resources, listen to concerns, and foster a positive work environment.
Extracurriculars
Without our fair share of state funding and support from school board members, we will see cuts to sports, the arts, and other important extracurriculars. This programming is vitally important to the enrichment and development of life skills among our students.
State Funding
CV receives less than half the average state funding per student due to a flawed formula that penalizes our high performance and low spending. As a result, students face cuts while taxpayers shoulder a disproportionate burden. I’ll work with legislators to advocate for fair funding.
Direct Funding for Gov. Mandates & Special Programs
State and federal regulations mandate certain programs, forcing tough budget decisions. Special education, new construction, and charter schools should be primarily state-funded to ease the burden on CV and support collaboration without penalizing our strong performance.
Grant Money
CV has secured grants to reinstate field trips, support security, and education programs. I will continue working with local and state government to maximize grants for academics, construction, and students in need.
Local Partnerships
CV students benefit greatly from community support from groups like the Eagle Foundation and Kick in For Kids, providing essentials, education, scholarships, and extracurriculars. I will foster collaboration and work with local businesses to create career pathways and job opportunities.
Collaboration with Legislators
Strong relationships and support from local legislators will be critical to CVs future success. I will bring my experience managing public partnerships for the sake of children to my service as a school director.
Strategic Planning
As a growing community, we face many challenges. With collaboration, foresight, and respect for all stakeholders, we can take a forward-thinking approach for CV. Our goal should be to sustain educational excellence, maintain property values, and keep property taxes low.
Role of School Board
The school board can’t manage daily operations across 14 schools. Its role is to hire and oversee trusted professionals. If some members continue to micromanage, bully, and publicly undermine administration, we risk losing our best educators.
Bullying
All students in the CV district should feel valued and protected while attending school, regardless of any personal characteristics. Bullying, in all forms, is unacceptable and this should not be a politicized issue.
Civics
In today’s interconnected world, students must be ready to collaborate across diverse backgrounds. Schools play a key role by exposing them to different perspectives and relevant issues. We can teach civics without bringing politics into our schools.
