By Zorian Edwards, Editor-In-Chief
Disclaimer:
The Panther Press is not endorsing any particular group or candidate, all commentary will be turned off to prevent heated discussions in our comment sections. The purpose of this article is to give the public a brief overview of what was said during this Candidate Forum, some information may be missing.
Sept. 18, The Better PENNCREST Coalition held a PENNCREST School Board Candidate forum at The French Creek Valley Christian School at 7 p.m. The Candidates present included Scott Stallings, Neil Bullock, Randy Styborski, Tiffany Donor, David McWright, Allison Beers, Tim Brown, and Brian Custard. All candidates were invited however, some were unable to attend.
There were about thirty to forty members of the community in attendance, with five questions coming from the crowd, two additional questions were added by the narrator (not included.) John Anderson served as the narrator for this event and Cambridge Students Danica Escalante and Laura Wallace served as timekeepers.
Transcripts:
Question 1: The mental health needs of students are high right now can you please share your thoughts and ideas about how are you support the district and intend to help the mental health needs of students
“….How can we make that space (the schools) more welcoming in a space that they can thrive in? So, mine would be starting with the climate of the school and moving forward to protect those policies.” -Tiffany Donor
“I am the least capable person to answer that question up here. What I can tell you is that I feel like the school board needs a stable base and to represent a stable set of policies that can be administered appropriately… I think that gives you a place to start from that should help promote communication and inclusion Tiffany was speaking about is really important another thing. We should look at the way that we are using extracurricular activities and events, there has been some dampening of that currently…I’m not saying all of that is bad. I think that the more opportunities that kids have to feel like they have a group, the more likely that they are to succeed in that environment.” – David McWright
“So, I know there are some things you have in place already for mental health. I think that in a rural area there is not a lot available. I know that I’ve seen a job posted for a mental health coordinator of some kind for our district so I know that’s positive, but I’d guess I’d say not reinventing the wheel but renovating the staff or the teachers and what is available to the students not just in the school but outside the school…I am aware of a lot of social programs that help students and families…maybe just getting families connected that way.” – Allison Beers
“Ok, well, this is a tough subject. I’ve discussed this for the last year and a half to two years because, since Covid this has really increased and prospered across the country, not just PENNCREST. There are a lot of mental issues in PENNCREST that we deal with, the problem is we don’t have enough people to help deal with that. Our teachers are trained, they do the best they can but, everyone wants test scores to go up. Our teachers are doing what they can do with the amount of time they have to do it. We need more resources. The problem is it costs money. The problem is Our politicians do not help us at all. They like to sit back, they like to talk bad about everybody but they don’t want to help much…” -Tim Brown
“ Family, family, family family. I believe as soon as there is a mental health problem…that child or his or her family and you discuss a plan. Yes, mental health problems are high at this time but, we are not a mental health facility. We are not a medical facility as some people are trying to turn schools into. We are here for education but when there is a problem and there is a problem you get the family involved. And you get the family to take them to a counselor. It is not our responsibility as a board to do that, it’s the families, the families need to take care of it and the mental health thank you.” -Brian Custard
“So, there’s a lot of insanity…The school is the first stop here ok, you got single parents out there both moms and dads, you got multiple siblings in the home…This is not a scientific statistic just my own personal it’s 100% the first stop here the teachers were the bus drivers are going to see the signs first and saw the school Has to be a place where a student feels they can tell the teachers because the teachers the educator they are a nurse a mom a dad or whatever that teacher needs in that moment it is in common it upon us….” – Scott Stallings
Question 2: PENNCREST has garnered a reputation for disorganized and disrespectful conduct between board members how do you intend to foster a more collaborative and cohesive board
“That is a fantastic question, I appreciate that. One of the items that I feel I may be well-versed in making, maybe because I coached a bunch of teenage volleyball players, is the win-win resolution. I think it’s important and one of the things I got really excited about when I met the other candidates of Better PENNCREST is how we can take one idea from one person, a second idea from another person, and turn that into a third idea. I also think it’s important that we set a goal. When you collectively set a goal and say this is our end result, this is what we would like to accomplish, you may have your disagreements along the way, but as long as you all agree to that goal, you can come to a consensus. So, those third ideas I talked about. So, I am actually very excited to provide that opportunity…” -Randy Styborski
“I definitely believe in effective communication and conflict resolution. I am a social worker and I work with young people, there are times that you disagree in a very civil way, doesn’t mean that every idea I have is a winner or is gold, but I need to be able to say that ‘Hey I messed up’ or ‘I made a mistake.’ We are setting an example for how we want our teachers to treat each other, and how we want our children to treat each other, and it trickles down. As we know that trickle down if it’s not positive it’s going to trickle down as not positive. We have to be able to say ‘Ok, I don’t agree with that but let’s hear it out.’ I wanna be able to have that with everyone…If I don’t agree with something but I feel like I was heard I’m going to walk away feeling okay about it.” -Tiffany Donor
“So, I think that collaboration is the most important thing, especially from people who come from dissimilar political backgrounds. I think that when I’m negotiating with someone at work or I’m talking with someone who works there. Usually how I approach it is, this person has one point of view, I have another point of view and the question is, what is the third point of view, right? There is always a third option…There is never just two options. The world isn’t that black and white. I think that if we can keep ourselves from becoming interested that entrenched, we can stop and say ‘What’s the third option?’ We should be able to maintain Levels of stability instead of dropping down into ideology and personal anger and things of that nature.” – David McWright
“I would like to think that I’m a pretty reasonable person, so I’d like to listen to people, I like to meet them where they’re at…My plan coming into this would be, if I’m elected to the board that there’s going to be a lot of new faces, a lot of new staff to work with, and I plan on starting with a clean slate moving forward…Just focusing on the positive things that we’re doing in our district because there is a lot of positive things…I just want to work on kind of building back up to where we were.” -Allison Beers
“Yes, the board has been very dysfunctional lately and I take part of that blame too. The thing is we can’t have six people who all think alike and let outside influence structure their thinking…Or every time you see something on the news or some headline… I always tell my wife ‘hey Luigi will be going after this next’ and it happens every time. I am always right, I don’t like being right that much, but I am. It needs to go back to, as everyone to my right has said, we have to work together, we won’t always agree everyone of us here we don’t agree on everything. I can tell you that as a matter fact, but we do listen. We used to listen and we had great conversations and great things and we have to start by listening to our teachers our staff and the students.” -Tim Brown
“Remember, we need to remember what the oath is for school board members. In the code of conduct at least three, perhaps four people on the current board are hot heads. It’s difficult to get anything done when people are losing their grip on their emotions, but the Pennsylvania School Board Code of Conduct says that we are to remember we are representing all residents of our school district. We are supposed to serve in superior teamwork and devotion to public education without surrendering our responsibilities to any person or group. The most important board members should work together in a spirit of harmony respect and cooperation despite their differences, thank you.” -Brian Custard
“I’m married and I have two daughters so, I’m in a constant state of negotiation… I’m negotiating meals, you know, signing treaties, and everything else. But in all seriousness most of what said a key word is respect. We have to go in and realize that number one, I need to respect everyone on the board what they already said. You know there’s a level of professionalism in every room. To build off of what was said, students, teachers, staff, and all of the residents because I believe if you live in the district…Or if you have a child in the school or not, you have a right to be heard.” – Scott Stallings
“I guess, if you get on YouTube at all you can watch other wild board meetings, PENNCREST isn’t the only one with some wild board meetings. I’ve seen some that put us to shame, but we have a lot of room for improvement. I think it starts with an open and honest discussion. We have to be respectful to one another and at the end of the day, I speak for myself, I am a reasonable person…With my job, I deal with a lot of people who sometimes, don’t want to hear what I have to say, but try to make an understanding of where they’re coming from. You can come to an agreement so we can resolve things in a peaceful manner.” -Neil Bullock
Question 3: how much money do we currently spend on the PENNCREST Cyber Academy (PCA) and could the board better encourage parents in school administrators to send those students to the actual schools and if so, wouldn’t that increase our attendance figures in each building?
“To be honest, I don’t know how much we spend in the cyber academy, but what I would say is, as a suggestion, bringing together adults or caregivers that have gone that route and find out why. What’s the common thread happening, is there something happening that we can do to bring that population back? I think this goes back to what I was talking about when it comes to the climate of our schools. Is the climate one that concerns?…I would say starting off with talking to the parents, the parents of the young people that are in that program. That’s an aspect of their lives they’re the ones who know why they have chosen that and it would be irresponsible for me to assume with talking to them.” -Tiffany Donor
“I certainly don’t know the number either. I imagine when we get to Mr. Brown that he will have an estimation…I can tell you this, my family utilized the cyber school system. It allowed us more flexibility in the schooling that we could offer our kids. Now, we found out as our kids got older that it didn’t work as well, as they became teenagers…There’s definitely a blended situation that’s going to need to come. Our state legislator and to some degree at the federal level, is just pushing for more and more flexibility in schooling offerings. So we did need to be cognizant of that for good reason, but what is it that PENNCREST isn’t providing that these kids are looking for in a cyber academy? I do think that flexibility, access to some more advanced programs, and maybe more things that are tailored to them, I know that’s something really difficult for teachers.” – David McWright
“I also have no numbers… I would say a little bit of what David did I am not against the cyber academy. I do know that there is probably a lot of reasons that people utilize that. I don’t know the number of kids at school, but there’s a change in how the world is working and that is an option that I think is not going away, we just need to look at how we utilize it.” -Allison Beers
“I think Cyber Schools a great idea for those who have difficulty… I would agree we have to find out why they have chosen PENNCREST Cyber…Because there are parents and there are children who do not want to be in school and with what’s going on in the schools the bullying, anything like that. Anything like that is a major thing or if the child is having some dysfunction and can’t function with normal classes. Maybe we need to look at what’s happening in that press and make it more favorable to look at. Just make it more favorable…” -Brian Custard
“So there is a myriad of reasons, medical, mental health…At my job I see it, why someone might choose to cyber school. I kind of look at the difference in just the top of here recently at a board meeting about transportation and how the district is transporting the students to private schools… I do think that if a student is able that we should try to recruit them into the schools. It helps with not just academics but social social growth is in my opinion is equal as academic. I saw that firsthand when during Covid…” -Scott Stallings
“ …like Tim said much better off if they are going to go cyber, to have them go to PENNCREST Cyber rather than PA cyber. Even on top of that, the other school voucher programs said, well I guess there are two separate programs in Pennsylvania, that don’t necessarily cost us money, but they do take the state tax dollars away. I saw an article in the Tribune the other day where they were talking about how there might be sort of reform… In generating some sort of tax revenue that will trickle down to districts so I don’t know what the answer is for getting the students back into the brick and boarder schools, but maybe you take some sort of survey and figuring out what people are looking for.” -Neil Bullock
“Thank you, good question, I saw a number similar to what Mr. Brown suggested we spend on PENNCREST Cyber. We are paying for students who have never stepped foot in our buildings. To me that’s a problem. I understand there is a need for that type of learning environment, but it’s not even playing field. Brick and boarder schools, their needs are growing…The cyber schools don’t have to meet the same needs…They can focus solely on academics while the brick and border schools has to focus on extracurricular, you have to focus on mental health needs, focus on academics as well. So I would like to approach this twice you have a proactive attempt you have to make PENNCREST attractive. You have to have people walk into the doors and say ‘This is where I want to be.’ Parents have been surveyed and research suggests two things they look for in a school academic performance and meeting the learning and mental health needs of students. We have to be able to meet those first to be attractive.” -Randy Styborski
Question 4: With the impending departure of Dr.Glasspool, what do you feel are the most important qualifications of a superintendent candidate and what do you think an appropriate timeline would be for that hire?
“So, has anyone ever tried to hire someone recently? I can tell you that the labor market is a disaster and so I think to some degree the timing of this hire should be taken to hire a good candidate. I know people are suggesting maybe after the election, but what I really think is that if you can find a candidate that really meets the needs of the district. You should hire that person and if it turns out not to work for us it is up to the board to change that person. As far as the qualities of that person, I do think we need someone who’s capable of communicating to the board on the level that makes them understand the realities of the schools…I’m not saying that Dr.Glasspool didn’t do those things… I also think to some degree the superintendent needs to communicate back to the board better and saying that, ‘I don’t think this is right.’ Or ‘Something that may not work.’ And sharing alternatives.” -David McWright
“I would hope that we are looking for a candidate that has good communication and organization skills…Someone who is willing to come into our current turmoil and work with us on changing the climate and atmosphere here in the community. I can’t say that I know that we have people that want to apply, but we want to find a candidate that’s going to be willing to fill the big shoes that we have here are moving forward. So I hope that it’s a slower process then some…just to kinda get the right person for this area that has an understanding of our families.” -Allison Beers
“Unfortunately, we are having interviews on thursday. I think it’s too quick, I think that if we’re not going to hire within that we should’ve had a UI go out find candidates that fit properly… Unfortunately that’s not going to happen. I’m a little nervous about the vote or about what’s going to happen, but we need to have somebody that’s familiar with central office and has superintendent experience. We need to have someone that understands that this district covers over 410 mi.² we have six buildings…We have 2,550 students through six buildings. It’s not a simple job of just sitting in central office and swatting everybody around. I’m afraid that like I said, thursday will tell more.” -Tim Brown
“I think that a superintendent needs to be to have the proper active communication skills. To act as a liaison between multiple entities. The board, the teachers, and be able to do that with the students as well…It needs to be a positive person who is not just there for the cash. Somebody who actually cares for our kids and cares about getting us above 30% for our numbers to get our numbers up for education. The superintendent is the biggest part of that and I believe the superintendent needs to make an action plan now. We need to have an action plan on how we are going to bring the numbers up, thank you.” -Brian Custard
“So experience… need somebody to fit in the seat. I think we need somebody with good communication, which is a big thing electing a seat…Someone who’s willing to speak with parents and residents. I’ve heard a lot of complaints where parents and residents have approached the central office to talk with Dr. Glasspool or the buildings and grounds director and there’s a brass wall there. There’s no communication so I think if we’re going to start, the central office especially, as a superintendent, will be willing to meet with parents and residents. We need to have the experience also.” -Scott Stallings
“ I’m gonna be real the superintendent is sort of the 10th member of the board arguably probably in more position than anyone school board member. The only original idea I really have at this point is, I know the district is a member of the Pennsylvania Schoolboard Association, and I believe that they will help in a candidate search…” -Neil Bullock
“Thank you, I was just about to say the same thing. My first call would have been The Pennsylvania School Board Association…I have witnessed two superintendent searches where I work and the good ones meet with the community first just like this…They get a sense of what it is that the community wants. Because we’ve heard different things, we’ve heard experience, we’ve heard communicator, maybe you want an outside member, maybe you want an inside member, maybe you want a local person, and then you meet with the school board and do the exact same thing…And the staff and even the students. So now you have four rubrics of which to interview from. That’s the best way I have seen it done. The worst way was Nypitism and rushing.” -Randy Styborski
“Everyone had really good ideas. I guess the only extra thing I would bring to the table is, not rushing it but if you find that perfect match to jump on it and take it…Also looking for someone who has passion and is willing to do the work to find the curriculums, to find the things that are working elsewhere to bring to the table…I really want someone that has that passion, that drive, that as somebody else said ‘Isn’t here for the paycheck.’…Learning doesn’t have to be just kind of stuffy, you know stuff like that comes from our leadership…” -Tiffany Donor
Question 5: What do you feel is the most urgent problem facing PENNCREST and how do you plan to address it?
“I guess the most urgent problem, we are working on addressing, the next one would be…I’m not even sure where to start. They’re all kind of urgent. I think that’s kind of why things are the way they are with the monthly meetings, all of the moving parts. The good communicating the more positive community would be the first thing on the top of my agenda.” -Allison Beers
“The first urgent problem, is the same problem it has been since I’ve been on the board is money. We have to go after the pulp. The people we elect in office whether it be state and local to help. We need more funding in rural schools, and we are not the only ones. There’s other schools in Pennsylvania that are facing the same problems we are. Unfortunately, our elected officials just don’t, they’re not willing to help us when we really need it. Second thing is, PEENCREST has been making good strides. Our education is indeed better. I’m sorry, our curriculum is getting better. However, we have a lot more road to travel. We just have to keep our foot on the accelerator…I do think we need to make some changes to move this along faster…” -Tim Brown
“Most urgent. Who’s been working for two years without a contract? They have to come up with agreements. Some people are gonna have to give in a little bit. Because everyone likes to point at the school board and say *some mumbling* But the teachers’ union is also not accepting proposals. So we have to meet in the middle somewhere to get this contract ready for teachers and the great benefit of the school. Money as well is urgent, always urgent. Many people promised they were going to try to cut and nobody did they just pushed the budget out like that *snaps*…” -Brian Custard
“We need to have…We wanna be a district teachers want to come to and stay. Money, I mean Not taxpayer money, I mean public and private partnerships with local and regional businesses and grants. I mean, I just read an article here last week about how other schools are going after parts of this grant money that’s out there and so that’s not even talked about. I mean stuff for roof repairs…I mean it’s not necessarily just academics but it’s all-encompassing for a school board…Saegertown High School’s test scores were just up in published magazine so there’s good we just have to magnify it.” -Scott Stallings
“I guess the number one thing I was thinking about was the superintendent. Number two was the teacher contract, get that taken care of, that’s already been discussed…Overall just improvement, I just feel like the board needs to refocus their attention on student achievement and just come into a more civilized discussion…I guess I’ll find out in November whether or not I can do anything about it.” -Neil Bullock
“Thank you, I think that the most pressing issue is when you have someone sitting here, there’s two here and I see one over there I’m sorry if I miss anyone, students. We’re a school. Students are the priority. That answer is easy to make. These girls here *looking at the timekeepers* are going to be entering a global job market studied by the World Economic Forum, 65% of jobs that our kindergarteners will hold aren’t even created yet. So what are we teaching them? We have to be teaching them metacognitive skills and how to learn. Back it up when we combine budget, how do we get out with the budget constraints? You look at successful school districts they put their low-hanging apple where they throw a lot of money is in early literacy. Once you can tackle early literacy, every other skill becomes easier to teach and you can get explicit instruction early so you can get metacognitive development late. So that they can meet the global demand of the market.” -Randy Styborski
“For me it’s pretty easy, we’re in need of voices. So the voices of our young people, the voices of their parents, the voices of the community, the teachers, I think that again if we are going to bring everything to the table we are going to give people a voice and give them the ability to share and discuss without being attacked, without feeling that they need to be belittle. Then that is something that needs to change. Our young people are the experts on how they learn. You would be surprised if you ask…The way that I teach our program for life skills is, in a different way than just sitting there. I think that that voice is the most urgent means right now” -Tiffiany Donor
“So I agree with the way Randy started…I feel very often our students leave school and their not competitive at the global level or even a state level. I think the ones that are competitive are the ones that have advocated well. Who has communicated very transparently with their teachers. I find that our teachers are super willing to help when given the opportunity, right? But we are all taught ‘Don’t share your issues’ or ‘Don’t talk to people about your problems. you don’t want to be seen that way.’ But, it’s the opposite. Talk to people you trust about your issues and they will help you. That’s what I find in our schools…A couple of people touched on the budget and I think the general manager in me says the budget will always be an issue. It’s never not been a problem. It will always be a problem. That’s why we have negotiations on both sides.” -David McWright.