School Board Candidates Answer Questions

From the OES-PTO:

Region 2

Lisa Bowman
1. Identify the qualities of a superior school board member.


A superior board member understands the role of a board member is effective governance, to set in place or reinforce policies and structures that create the right climate for learning. It is not personal agendas or desires but collaborative effort to make the best choices for the students while being good stewards of the taxpayers money.

At the heart of every decision must be the impact that decision will have on the lives of the students.

2. Identify the strengths and skills essential for being a school board member.

First and foremost board members should be good listeners. They should be diligent in learning and studying, being as prepared as possible. They should ask questions and never make assumptions. Be passionate about their views, prepared to explain the rationale behind decisions but in the end supportive of the board's decisions if it does not go their way. Be respectful of fellow board members, the staff and the community. Ask for and encourage input from the community. Seek to understand all sides of an issue with an open mind. Be fair and objective. Accept new concepts and evaluate them fairly, listen and be willing to consider alternative solutions to problems. Accept constructive criticism. Be visionary and exercise common sense.

3. Identify obstacles to student achievement and strategies to help the district overcome those obstacles.

The biggest obstacle to achievement is funding right now. We have put programs in place to increase student achievement, identify standards, align curriculum, provide assessments and accountability and staff development but mandates and cost increases coupled with decreased revenues threaten these things.

4. How would you promote collaboration between the School Board and the Superintendent?

The most important factor in effective collaboration is mutual trust and confidence. The current board has an effective relationship with the Superintendent and I would continue to promote that by encouraging honest, open discussions in an atmosphere of respect. The current board while not always agreeing with each other or the Superintendent on every issue is respectful of one another. Clear lines of communication and unambiguous directives should be maintained and I would continue to work diligently to do so. The board should remember their role is planning and policy making but the Superintendent is responsible for implementation.

5. How do you reconcile strongly opposing points of view among the board members?

Again the key is being a good listener, you can't expect to be listened to if you can't demonstrate you can listen to others. I encourage all members to respectfully explain their views and votes but in the end the majority vote passes. While I don't think we can truly reconcile opposing views we can and should respect the majority decision and move on. I will continue to emphasize that the students should be at the center of every decision.

6. How do you handle the budgetary constraints we are going to face in the coming years in our school district?

We approach the budget in terms of 3-5 years. Projections of future revenues and expenditures like retirement (PSERS), health care, charter school costs, Act 1 index limitations and decreases in State revenues must be included in the process and addressed not just in the current year but in future budgets. We must continue to find opportunities to offset the decrease in revenues such as increasing facility fees, activity fees and programmatic changes that may result in staffing decreases.

7. Why should we elect you to the School Board above the other candidate?

I bring a depth of experience and service to this Board and school district. My involvement in Octorara began like many of you, as a volunteer in my children's classrooms. I served as Co-chair of the PLC and OES Book Fair for 4 years and concurrently served as chair of the OMS Book Fair. I was a substitute teacher in the district for 5 years. I have been active in booster clubs and recently was the concession chair for the wrestling booster club. I have 2 children currently in the district. I am acutely aware of the strengths and weaknesses of this district. I know this district well having been involved on many levels and I feel a strong sense of responsibly to the students and the community.

I have been on the School Board for 6 years, currently serving as President. I understand the limitations all school districts face and the issues that are specific to Octorara. Specifically how Act 319, the lack of commercial properties, having a district in 2 counties, the high poverty rate and charter schools impacts the residential tax burden. I have demonstrated the ability to listen, learn, ask questions and ask for input before making decisions. I am willing to make tough decisions and keep the students at the center of those decisions. We are facing extremely difficult times and I believe we need people on the board that understand the issues. If cuts continue to be made they need to done in the best interest of the students and not to satisfy some single agenda. I truly am committed to the students but understand we need to balance the needs of the students with the ability of the taxpayers to fund public education.

8. Act 1 is sending us all into an era of cutting rather than spending. As a school board member for our district, which programs and positions do you support eliminating

I first ask the question-which cost saving proposal has the least impact in the classroom? Unfortunately we are being forced to go deeper and deeper into cutting programs and the question is not what is valuable but which programs have greater value for the most students. I ask if the program can be duplicated in the community. For example some sports clubs currently have travel teams and other community based teams that provide an opportunity for athletic competitions. At this point I don't think this district can cut many more programs without significantly affecting the education of our students. We many need to resort to larger class sizes rather than cutting programs. I continue to work with and look to the administration to find ways to do more with less.


Lisa Bowman

Region #2

Sadsbury and West Fallowfield Townships


Thomas Seth

1. Identify the qualities of a superior school board member.


Let’s make that question both superior and ethical school board member. Of course, the board members primary responsibility has to be top the students but the fact that the residential and commercial property owners are the primary financial supporters of the district, they most certainly can not and should not be excluded from a superior and ethical school board members responsibility and considerations. An ethical and superior school board member should only spend monies that are on hand, not just purchase what ever they desire and then not have the monies to pay the bills and thus have to raise the taxes of the resident providers who live in the poorest and highest taxed school district in Chester County.

2. Identify the strengths and skills essential for being a school board member.

Some of these skills would be; Be an achiever, communicator, be fair, be good listener, be willing to learn and take responsibility for your actions, etc.

3. Identify obstacles to student achievement and strategies to help the district overcome those obstacles.

Many obstacles and things can result in even a very capable student’s lack of achievement and success. It could be morale depression, stress, parents divorcing or separating and most of all, the hideous fact of child sexual abuse which seems to becoming much more common among students today.

School counselors and teachers need to be better trained and continuously reminded to be on the alert for the warning signs of why the under achiever may be not working up to their potential. Once a problem is detected the appropriate school official needs to be able to develop a good discourse between the student, the parent and them self.

If the students’ under achievement is due to, or the result of, sexual abuse or criminal activities or non criminal activities the proper authorities need to be notified be it the police, government or community service agency in order for the student to begin the recovery process.

If I were a school board member, I would randomly call and contact parents of all type and age of students in order for them to be able to speak privately and confidentially about what their concerns and complaints are in regards to the school and the district while absolutely maintaining their confidentiality.


4. How would you promote collaboration between the School Board and the Superintendent?

I’d try to encourage school board members to speak more openly at the school board meetings and town meetings. Anytime I have meet with or contacted Dr. Newcome, I have always found him more than willing to take the time to communicate with me. It seems to me that with Dr Newcome only being and e mail or phone call away, there should be no reasons for a school board member not wanting to or being able to communicate with him. School board members need to understand that they are the representatives of the residents and are a go between the district and the residents, thus a good communication channel must be maintained in order for this relationship between residents and the school district to work.

5. How do you reconcile strongly opposing points of view among the board members?

You explain your ideas and thinking while working with them in a friendly professional manner while encouraging input from all other available sources while keeping in mind what is in the best interest of the students, the residents and at the same time meets any and all federal state and local requirements. Please understand, I have not yet attended courses provided by the Pennsylvania School Board Association which would allow me to answer the first five questions with more insight.

6. How do you handle the budgetary constraints we are going to face in the coming years in our school district?

First of all we all share some portion of the blame for the problem for the budgetary constraints the we got into. We did not get into them over night nor we will not get out of them over night but they can be gotten out of.

We need to be much more frugal in our spending and better plan for unexpected expenses and unfunded mandates forced on us by the state.

PTO’s and groups like yours and residents all across the state need to be actively and aggressively insisting and encouraging Pennsylvania state representatives to fund a more fair and equitable way to support the state’s public school system, such as Representative Jim Cox’s HB475 which would eliminate school taxes in favor of an alternative funding. Got to the web site www.PTCC.US for more information on the school property tax elimination act and alternative funding.

Approximately two weeks ago when I last checked, there were over 50 homes in this school district alone that were in various stages of the foreclosure procedure. That’s 50 home too many. You have to wonder, with Octorara having the highest property tax rate in the county, what part is it’s high tax rate playing in these foreclosures? Sadly enough how many seniors are being forced out of their homes due to the district’s repressive school tax.

7. Why should we elect you to the School Board above the other candidate?

My occupations have been in the government sector, the private administrative sector, and the military sector. I have a BS degree in Business Administration from Philadelphia University and have taken and completed other professional development courses in the related fields of finance administration and supply. I have also worked as a substitute teacher and assisted with students with negative social skills and have received numerous accommodations and awards the highest of which is a Presidential Citation.

8. Act 1 is sending us all into an era of cutting rather than spending. As a school board member for our district, which programs and positions do you support eliminating?

In this age of employers who expect employees to multitask, we have to consider very carefully what programs to eliminate. We might best contact a cross section of our area’s employers who hopefully will be some of our graduates future employers to find out what programs they feel can we best scale back or maybe even eliminate. Of course, while operating within state guidelines. Hopefully when we can get the public school funding situation worked out, we can restore programs, sports and extra curricula activities which play an important part in student development.


Thomas Seth

Region 2

Region 3

Robert Hurley (Matt)

1. Identify the qualities of a superior school board member.


A combination of the ability to understand issues and situations from various perspectives (parent, friend, neighbor & taxpayer), to see the bigger picture (potential affects on individuals, families & communities), to balance short term needs with long term goals (this year’s budget & the future consequences) and the ability to work with others. These abilities and qualities should be utilized when helping the shape the policies of the district in order to comply with the mission statement.

2. Identify the strengths and skills essential for being a school board member.

The most important skill would be a good communicator. This applies to both receiving and giving information. Given the high number and wide range of issues facing the district at all times, being able to receive information in various forms (written statements, oral communications, budget reports, etc.), process it and relay that information in a way that can be easily understood by others is an important skill for a school board member. Other skills would be the ability to ask the right questions, stay objective and pay attention to detail.

A good school board member must be able to be effective (do the right things) and efficient (do things the right way) with the responsibilities of the position.

3. Identify obstacles to student achievement and strategies to help the district overcome those obstacles.

One of the main obstacles would be the availability of resources as a function of the funding for those resources. Whether those resources are books, computers and educational trips or even sports facilities, band equipment and art supplies, the availability of those resources to students is important.

While I realize there are serious cuts in the traditional funding sources, I believe there can be an overall refocusing of the allocation of the traditional funding sources. With that there needs to be an increased focus on non-traditional funding sources (donations, private, business, sponsorships, etc.)

4. How would you promote collaboration between the school board and the superintendent?

Attempt to insure that each has the trust in, and respect for, the other. The qualities and skills identified it items 1 and 2 above apply for this relationship also. Maintaining good communication, having a clear understanding of the roles of each and staying true to decisions made fosters that sense of trust and respect.

5. How do you reconcile strongly opposing points of view among the board members?

I don’t believe you always have to reconcile opposing view points. Sometimes it is acceptable to “agree to disagree” but is must always be done respectfully. Opposing view points may bring out an idea that was not thought of previously. The board should look at previous decisions and precedent, how that may or may not relate to the current issue and always compare policy decisions to the goals and objectives of the mission statement.

6. How do you handle the budgetary constraints we are going to face in the coming years in our school district?

You must have an understanding of the current financial situation and how that may change in the near future. When making financial related decisions the board needs to review the affects of the various options. Having the basic understanding of where we were, where we are and where we are going will provide the guidelines for decision making. The school board must understand some decisions will not be popular but need to be made in the best interest of the district.

7. Why should we elect you to the school board above the other candidate?

I have a vested interest in the current state and long term performance of the district. I graduated from Octorara, have children currently attending Octorara and work for a business located within the district. I feel I can bring a distinctive perspective to the board – alumni, early 40s, young children, civil engineering / project management / decision making experience with a positive outlook for the future of the district.

8. Act 1 is sending us all into an era of cutting rather than spending. As a school board member for our district, which programs and positions do you support eliminating?

Since I am not currently on the school board and not completely familiar with the financial situation, I am not fully qualified to answer that question. In general, I would look at what programs and/or positions are not critical to carrying out the mission of the district. I would look at overlapping of responsibilities, inordinate use of the available resources and the over all effectiveness of the program and/or position. Decisions need to be made that are in the best interest of the students – current and future – while understanding the affects that may have on the community.


Robert M. Hurley

(Matt Hurley)

Write-In Candidate

Region 3

May 11, 2011


Leon Lapp
1. Identify the qualities of a superior school board member.


principled, virtuous, honesty

2. Identify the strengths and skills essential for being a school board member.

good communications skills, frugal

3. Identify obstacles to student achievement and strategies to help the district overcome those obstacles.

Inadequate teachers and leaders

4. How would you promote collaboration between the School Board and the Superintendent?

Being willing to be honest and communicate openly

5. How do you reconcile strongly opposing points of view among the board members?

Being willing to hear other points of view

6. How do you handle the budgetary constraints we are going to face in the coming years in our school district?

Make cuts wherever we can

7. Why should we elect you to the School Board above the other candidate?

#1 Because the Federal and State government is running out of money and we as a community need to figure out how to make budget without burdening homeowners by raising taxes. #2 to bring Conservative values and principles to the schools

8. Act 1 is sending us all into an era of cutting rather than spending. As a school board member for our district, which programs and positions do you support eliminating?

sports ( I support private funding for sports), I would evaluate teacher salaries and pensions



Leon Lapp

Region 3