Challengers in the election include Ralph Brandt and Lisa Tanner.
The York Dispatch asked the candidates a series of questions. Their answers appear below.
Candidate bios:
Ralph Brandt (D/R)
No response
Robert Crouse Jr. (R)
No response
Alan Moose (R)
Age/Address: 45, of 60 Evergreen Lane, York 17408
Family: Married to Tricia Moose; three children – Amanda, 13; Hannah, 11; Levi, 8
Occupation: Site Manager for Freedom Academy Alternative School, LIU #12
Current Community Involvement: School Board Director, West York; Treasurer, Lincoln Estates Water System; Hanover Community Church
Jayne S. Shepro (D/R)
Age: 60
Address: 379 Weldon Drive, York, PA 17404
Family; Married; 2 sons; 3 stepsons
Occupation: Marketing Coordinator for Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc., Harrisburg, PA
Community Service: West York Area School Board; York Adams Academy Board of Director
Lisa Tanner (D)
Age: 50
Address: 1381 Winterberry Court, York
Family: Husband Mike, Sons Matt, 17 and
Occupation: Co- Owner Auntie Anne's Hand Rolled Pretzel Franchises
Current Community Involvement: President of West York Area HS Boys' Soccer Booster Club, Banquet Chairperson, Football Boosters, La Crosse Concession Chair, various volunteer activities
Questions:
1. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the school district's performance at balancing educational wants and needs, balancing the good of the students and the good of the taxpayers? Explain why you give the district that rating.
Brandt: No response.
Crouse: No response.
Moose: I rate the district at 9/10 on this scale. During the past several years teachers have been asked to develop their list of needs without increasing costs within the budget. The district has continued to progressively improve in the delivery of educational services to both students and parents while still maintaining quality. In addition, the district met AYP (Annual Yearly Progress) on all levels in the PSSA, which shows further evidence that initiatives are working. The district administration conducts most of the In-service programs for educators, while most other districts contract for these services directly keeping costs down. The Board remains fiscally conservative and WYASD has the 4th lowest tax millage in the County.
Currently, the district is pursuing a demographic and feasibility study to begin reviewing both growth trends and needs in all levels of the district into the future. This will further assist the Board in developing plans to maintain high quality.
Shepro: 8.5 – I feel that the district administration and teaching staff have been working hard to raise test scores and their work and dedication is paying off for our students. The District continues to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA). The teaching staff is working to make sure the state standards met as they are raised each year. The Administration and Staff are diligent in their search for various grants which when awarded have allowed the District to offer new programs without additional cost to the taxpayer. At-risk students have greatly benefited from the full-day kindergarten. With the possible reduction of State Funding, the District continues work on efficiency in order to make every taxpayer dollar count.
Tanner: On a scale of 1-10, I would rate the West York Area School district's performance in balancing educational wants and needs, the good of the students and the good of the taxpayers as a seven. Overall, I feel that the district tries very hard to balance our budget. Unfortunately, there are many incidences I am aware of that do not always meet the needs of the students or taxpayers. For instance, we have had problems supplying a sufficient amount of textbooks for classrooms. As for the balancing the needs of the taxpayers, it was disappointing that the newly constructed fields behind the middle school and high school complex were not completed in a timely fashion, were way over budget and did not fulfill all that was promised: for example, scoreboard and lights. Yet, last year we increased the taxes of the residents.
2. For this year's budget, West York used $1 million from its fund balance to minimize the tax impact, still raised taxes 4.7 percent, yet approved two new sports teams -- boys and girls lacrosse. Do you agree with the decision to expand extracurricular programs at a time when the district faced that type of fiscal situation? Why or why not?
Brandt: No response.
Crouse: No response.
Moose: I believe that our Board has a responsibility to fulfill the commitments it makes to its constituents. The Board deferred implementation on this initiative for one year and had given a commitment to implement, if feasible, during 09-10. This decision was not made frivolously and the finance committee and Board labored on this decision heavily before approving it. I voted for and continue to maintain that this was a good decision on behalf of the district and students.
In addition, I am grateful to the previous school board directors and administration that served and had the foresight to create fund balances that are geared toward specific initiatives. This has provided revenues on a yearly basis to upgrade curriculum, technology, and other services without directly impacting our budgets. The district has also had the benefit of bond refinancing on long-term debt that has saved millions in taxpayer dollars.
Also, WYASD has approved budgets during the past two years below the proposed index, serving to support our taxpayers by keeping costs below the proposed state index.
Shepro: Extracurricular programs add to a well-rounded education. Team work is an essential part of life and must be learned at an early age.
Tanner: I do agree with expanding extracurricular programs in spite of the fact that the district is facing hard fiscal times. In relationship to the budget, this is a minimum amount of money. As I have personally witnessed, Sports programs are beneficial to all students involved. Student-athletes are more accountable for their personal actions and grades. It gives students discipline, keeps them in good physical form in time when we are concerned about childhood obesity and allows them to be involved in school related activities. In addition, it keeps our school district on the same competitive level with others in the area.
3. West York has tentatively discussed the addition of classrooms at Lincolnway and Trimmer elementaries and at the high school. Other possible upgrades at the high school include a new gymnasium, a swimming pool, lobby area, locker rooms and stadium upgrades. What are your views on such a project? And on all-day kindergarten, which would be possible if the elementaries are expanded? Should all-day kindergarten be mandated?
Brandt: No response.
Crouse: No response.
Moose: At this time, I remain very conservative and await the outcome of demographic and feasibility studies that will provide the information for our board to make sound decisions on the proposed projects. Some of them may be feasible, while others not.
I am in favor of all-day kindergarten programs. In districts where programs like this have been implemented, school achievement is higher. This is documented via national research studies conducted on this topic. West York is one of the few districts in the region without all-day K. Inadequate facilities and lack of financial resources from federal and state sources are barriers to completing this type of project with immediacy. However, the burden of this type of expansion cannot solely lie on the local taxpayer.
Shepro: The Board's discussion regarding the addition of classrooms is supported by the following: 1) student population has been growing at approximately 2% per year over the past 5 years; 2) the high school is almost at capacity and, 3) the state and national move toward all-day kindergarten. These factors warrant serious discussion in order to meet the current and future needs of our students. For that reason the District is hiring an architectural firm to assess those needs and to make recommendations for ways to meet those needs. The results of this study may or may not indicate the need for additions and/or new facilities.
Tanner: West York is tentatively discussing the addition of classrooms at our elementary schools and other possible upgrades at the high school. I believe that there is a feasibility study being completed at this time. Once the results of the study are revealed, I will take all aspects into consideration before rendering a vote in favor of or against the additions. As far as the mandate for all day kindergarten, I would agree for several reasons and with certain conditions. Elementary schools would have to be expanded. Teachers would have the opportunity to get to know their students better. Curriculum would be more individualized and more rigorous and children would be able to acquire academic skills earlier. It is also beneficial for parents who work all day. And will give children “at risk” a better start.
4. Specify a program or an initiative that you believe the school district should start, evaluate or upgrade over the course of the next four years. Explain why you believe that endeavor should be a priority for the school district.
Brandt: No response.
Crouse: No response.
Moose: Full-day Kindergarten as mentioned above. There is no doubt that this program would provide a stronger foundation of basic principles for all students and the long term gains are well documented in the research.
Pre-Kindergarten programs, as well as a stronger outreach to preschool programs in our community may also be a good venture. This would include programs for early childhood education for low income families within the district. Statistics show that students from low income families do not have access to the resources to enhance early learning opportunities that are provided to others. Programs like this would provide opportunities to help disadvantaged students start school with a similar knowledge and skill base as their counterparts.
Shepro: I feel strongly that all-day kindergarten be mandated in order to provide our children the best start possible to their education. Due to a shortage of classroom space, we are only able to offer all-day kindergarten to the most “at-risk” students in the District.
Tanner: West York Area School district needs to work towards “diversity and unity”. The complexity of our school students is changing rapidly. We need to ensure that all students are cared for on an equal basis, whether it is extra curricular activities, education or discipline. I think that this should be a district wide initiative.
5. Why did you decide to run for election this year and why do you think you're one of the best candidates for a school board seat?
Brandt: No response.
Crouse: No response.
Moose: I have served on the board for over five years and it was tremendous learning curve to develop my current knowledge base on public school operations despite my long-term associations in the field of education. I believe that new candidates rely heavily on experienced board members for information to make sound decisions and still are not fully aware of the consequences of their decisions. In a nutshell, experience is important for this role.
I decided to run again because I believe that I can continue to contribute my skills and background in education to support healthy expansion of our programs and services. I continuously bring information from the community to the administration and also maintain positive relationships with district personnel. Further, I love West York and believe that my children are receiving one of the best educational programs in the county.
Shepro: I have been a resident of the West York Area School District for 38 years. Nearly four (4) years of experience on the current School Board has given me insight into the problems and challenges that West York faces during trying economic times. It is necessary that we find the correct balance between meeting the needs of our students by providing the best education possible and keeping the taxes of our residents within reason. As a current Board Member I have come to realize that the local School Board actually has control over approximately 10% of the District's annual budget.
Tanner: My family and I moved to this area five years ago. In these five years, I have been very involved with my children's educationally and in the sports arena. Through sporting events, I have met many disgruntled and disappointed parents who believe our district is not meeting the needs of all. I decided instead of complaining, I would prefer to be more involved on a level where I could affect change. In the past, I have held many positions including teaching high school Spanish. I understand the educational process from the inside. I am a parent of two high school boys and co-business owner in the community. I am fair, outspoken and logical. I promise to question what issue we are facing and to balance the needs of the students, taxpayers, parents and teachers. I welcome this challenge.
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