General Election Series Part 2: General Election Riverside Beaver County School District’s Board of Directors Candidates

Note: This is part 2 in a series about the General Election. Part 1 provided general information about the elections and where to vote. Part 3 will feature information about the candidates for Ellwood City Borough Council. Part 4 will cover the perspectives of the candidates for Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors.

The General Election will take place on Nov 7.

We caught up with the candidates for Riverside Beaver County School District’s Board of Directors back in May before the primary election to learn more about the candidates and get their points of view on important issues in education.

Kasey Kraus

Family: I am the proud mother of two Riverside students, a sixth grader and a third grader. Both of my parents and my husband also graduated from Riverside, and more than a dozen of my nieces/nephews have graduated or are currently attending Riverside.

Employment: I have been employed as a middle school English teacher at Seneca Valley since 2007.

Former Experience, Roles, and Years Serving on Riverside Beaver County School District Board: I was elected in 2019 and have served on the board for almost four years.

Why are you running for School Board? I love our school community and want to volunteer my time to help support growth and opportunity for every student. Our community, students, parents, staff, & administrators have been through so much in the past three years. I want to continue to support all of the students and help the district reach its greatest potential.

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board? Students are my issue. They deserve the best opportunities, education, support, and tools for success.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member? Being employed for seventeen years in the public school system at a neighboring district gives me insight into the inner workings of the school system, logistics, obstacles, and even some of the laws that are essential for the school to run and foster success.

In what school district or community activities/organizations have you been involved? I have volunteered as a coach and assistant coach for the local soccer program. I also volunteer at my township’s community day.

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members? As the only educator on the ballet, I bring a unique perspective and knowledge about how the school system works and what teachers and students face on a daily basis.

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend? Some issues we need to address academically are enhancing and updating our science programs and growing our inclusive practices to create the best experiences for learners of all levels to grow.

What should your school district do to better prepare students as citizens? I believe most districts, including ours, need to make strides to improve our students’ digital citizenship to help navigate an increasingly technical world with integrity. I also believe that character education needs to have a more forward role in all grades. Many people—adults included—sometimes forget the basics of what it means to be a good human. We need to build our lessons in every subject and every grade around these pillars.

As a board member, where would you look to make budget cuts?  Riverside already runs on a very tight budget with primarily fixed costs, so there is no clear place to cut the budget without negatively impacting students. On the contrary, I’m interested in revenue generating/saving concepts such as increased grant writing and increased energy efficiency.

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden? Riverside has an excellent record with regard to minimal tax increases and keeping taxes low. We are currently ranked 9/13 in lowest taxes in the county, and over the past fourteen years we’ve raised taxes the fewest times—six—and the lowest amount—ten mills—in Beaver County.  That said, our school is also in desperate need of some repairs. The balance lies in continuing to be conscientious of the tax burden of the community while also making the improvements and updates to our facilities that our students, staff, and community deserve.

What attributes are essential for successful school board members? A successful school member attends meetings, stays up-to-date on communication with administration and community members as well as current trends in education and needs of the district. A successful school board member listens to the concerns, opinions, and suggestions of all stakeholders in the school community and works together with the administration and board to keep the entire school community’s interests at the forefront of decision-making. A successful school board member sets aside personal agendas or preferences and prioritizes the needs of the school community.

How would you handle the requests, if approached, by an individual?  Special interest groups? If approached, as I have tried to do during my current term, I would listen. Community members, including individuals & special interest groups, deserve to be heard, and having their needs/interest considered is essential.

How can you contribute to a successful board meeting? For any board meeting to be successful, board members must participate in discussions, ask questions, and, when necessary, provide/seek clarifications.

What do you see as the current challenges facing public education in our state? In our country? In our ever-changing world the challenges are ever increasing. We still have some of the same challenges that existed when I walked the halls, and some we have more control of than others. Mental health and staff shortages are the two largest challenges—in my opinion—that Riverside and all Pennsylvania schools face. School safety is continually a challenge that schools across the country are confronting, and as a parent of school-aged children, a teacher, and a school board member, I believe school safety is paramount to all other challenges.

What are 2-3 strengths of which our district can be proud? Why do you see these as strengths?  Small close-knit community helps raise children in a “village” with many caring adults looking out for them. The staff who welcome our children, teach them, feed them, keep the buildings in good repair, and so much more. The parent involvement through PTO and other means. There are so many more…

What are 2-3 needs that must be priorities for our district to address? Why do you see these as needs? Our greatest needs/priorities are updating our aging campus, inside and outside and updating our curriculum to meet/exceed standards.Everything from classrooms and building exterior to HVAC and sports facilities require attention and improvement, and for all Riverside graduates to have the 21st century skills necessary to achieve success, we also need to prioritize curriculum.

If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service? If elected, I hope to be a part of what makes Riverside exceptional by supporting students and staff, and by doing anything in my power to help make our school even better by improving our physical and educational offerings.

Shawn Plassmeyer

Family: My wife, Joylyn and I, live in North Sewickley Twp. with our two children.

Employment: Owner of Plassmeyer Towing located in Ellwood City for nearly 20 years.

Former Experience, Roles, and Years Serving on Riverside Beaver County School District Board: 12 years on Riverside school board. Last 7 as President.

Why are you running for School Board? I was born and bred in Riverside and have an unbridled passion for the district and its students.

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board? I am invested in the entire operation, top to bottom, with my main motivation of ensuring that every student achieves a fulfilling and rewarding educational experience.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member? I don’t believe it is imperative to hold a particular set of skills or experiences to be an effective board member. A strong passion for public education and being a respectable and compassionate human being should be all the requirements needed.

In what school district or community activities/organizations have you been involved? I have been a board member for 12 years. A head baseball coach in RBF for nearly 10 years. I’ve been a delivery driver for our local Meals on Wheels program for over 10 years.

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members? I would say that the only real difference between me and the other board members is my tenure on the board.

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?  I would like to see a lean towards career based education in high school. I would love to see standardized testing requirements diminished.

What should your school district do to better prepare students as citizens? I believe most of that burden should fall on us as parents.

As a board member, where would you look to make budget cuts? A large percentage of the budget contains fixed costs which doesn’t leave much to trim.

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden? We have always tried to be cognizant of the burden on our taxpayers. The need to provide a quality education should be paramount. We have always tried to be cognizant of the burden on our taxpayers. Evidenced by the fact that Riverside has one of the lowest millage rates in the county and has increased taxes the least amount over the past decade or so.

What attributes are essential for successful school board members? Being a good listener, respectful and have a passion for public education.

How would you handle the requests, if approached, by an individual?  Special interest groups? I welcome any inquiry or concern involving the district but also recognize that there is protocol involved as well. Somethings need to be handled at the administrative level before ever reaching the board.

How can you contribute to a successful board meeting? Board meeting go smoothest when the community and the board follow the guidelines set forth on how a meeting should run. Listen to the concerns of residents and board members alike.

What do you see as the current challenges facing public education in our state? In our country? Lack of funding is always a concern. I believe there is too much emphasis on standardized testing.

What are 2-3 strengths of which our district can be proud? Why do you see these as strengths? Our strengths are our close, tight knit community. The fact that our athletic and arts programs from a small rural school are so successful. And we have the best professional and administrative staffs around.

What are 2-3 needs that must be priorities for our district to address? Why do you see these as needs? More state and federal funding to ease the burden locally. Our campus is approaching 60 years old. We need to be diligent in making sure we keep up with proper maintenance and facility improvements.

If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service? I hope that Riverside can continue to be a leader amongst Beaver County Schools in Academics, Arts, and Athletics.

Christy Hughes

Family: Husband Bill Hughes. Sons Woodrow and Calvin Hughes

Employment: Costco Wholesale

Former Experience, Roles, and Years Serving on Ellwood City Area School District Board: I’m currently in my second term on the Riverside School Board, seeking a third term.

Why are you running for School Board? I’m running for a third term to see our current and future plans through. It’s important to me to be involved in this community that I love.

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board? Yes, community service. Not just to our community members but to our students and faculty.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member? I have always been a civic  minded person. Giving back isn’t just an option for me, it’s the pride I have in my neighborhood and school community that pushes me towards putting in the work.

In what school district or community activities/organizations have you been involved? As a student at Riverside I was very involved with clubs and organizations. As a parent and community member I have served as a volunteer for school events. I am a past Riverside Football Booster President but have also worked with our basketball, baseball, track and soccer teams. One of my favorite groups is the Riverside Musical Theater program. I’ve spent the last 11 years costuming our very talented cast members. I have also spent the last 20+ years organizing Panther Night for our community. It’s been a pleasure to keep up with the pulse that is Riverside.

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members? I’m a lifer. My love for Riverside began in kindergarten at Hillcrest Elementary. Growing up in this community and choosing to raise my family here brings me great pride. Riverside is rich in its traditions and its methods of learning. I only want to see more success for our students and district.

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend? Educational opportunities!  We have done a great job building our curriculum with forward thinking. Our teachers and administrators have done a phenomenal job of keeping our our students on a path that can only benefit their futures. Education is constantly evolving and is a very fluid process that we have to stay of top at all times. Providing students with educational opportunities is key.

What should your school district do to better prepare students as citizens? Honestly, I would love a life lesson/skill class. Seeing that students have the knowledge of balancing a checkbook, understanding the importance of good credit, knowing how to register to vote and the power that comes with it, filling out a basic application for employment and so many other daily tasks that make you a surviving member of society.

As a board member, where would you look to make budget cuts? Riverside runs very lean as it is. We often ask our teachers to pause on something they wish to do. Ideally we would like to see all suggestions come to fruition, but sometimes the money is just not there. That gives us motivation to work harder, network and seek another ways. Our main priority is the education of our students. We are so lucky to have the staff and administrators we do, without them there’s no success.

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden? Listen. Hear the concerns and conversations with the community. The board is never going to make everyone happy but we try our best to serve our students, staff and community with a safe environment for learning.

What attributes are essential for successful school board members? Being a school board member is not a red or blue environment. It can’t be. Our duty is to provide a safe and successful educational experience, all while being mindful of the community that supports it. The how and why if that equation isn’t always easy but it’s our goal to provide the best for everyone

How would you handle the requests, if approached, by an individual?  Special interest groups? Everyone deserves to be heard. We can’t always fix things immediately but we sure can try our best to resolve issues in a timely manner.

How can you contribute to a successful board meeting? Show up. Do your due diligence. Ask important questions. Reach out privately if something is going on that you need more information about. We serve the community and should be accessible to everyone.

What do you see as the current challenges facing public education in our state? In our country? We need to stay on task with educational instruction. Keeping ourselves on the path of what’s to come next. Education is constantly evolving and we need to challenge our students and teachers accept the task. The future can be so bright.

What are 2-3 strengths of which our district can be proud? Why do you see these as strengths? We take the safety and security of our students and staff very seriously. We have taken several measures to insure that everyone inside our buildings feels safe. Our administration tasks our students to take pride in themselves and our school. This gives a strong sense of community. Without this community Riverside doesn’t exist. Educational integrity. We are blessed with a staff that respects the educational process and the success of our students.

What are 2-3 needs that must be priorities for our district to address? Why do you see these as needs? We need to protect our longevity. It’s my responsibility to make decisions that protect our school and the community. Our campus has stood the test of time but it’s now time to insure the future of our district. Our buildings need attention.  We need to focus on educational improvements. My interest is in sustaining our district well into the future.

If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service? I’ve completely enjoyed the experience I’ve had so far as a board member. No matter how you handle things, you’re never going to make everyone happy and that’s ok. I know at the end of the day that I’ve done my best to do what I feel is right for this district and our community. Giving back is my greatest honor.

David V. Steinbach DVM

Riverside Graduate 1996

Family: Married with four children

Employment: Veterinarian Brady’s Run Veterinary Hospital, Steinbach Mobile Vet

Why are you running for School Board? I have been on the Riverside School Board for a little over eight years now.  It has been a privilege to serve the Riverside community and help confront the many challenges that have faced the district.  I am seeking reelection because there is much work to be done.  My four children attend Riverside and I want to do my part to make sure that they get the best education possible.  I believe that Riverside is the gem of Beaver County and I want to continue to make Riverside a place that the community can be proud of.

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board? There are several issues that motivate me to continue to serve the district.  First and foremost is to help the students.  We need to provide them with a safe environment so that they can concentrate on their education.  We need to provide opportunities to all students and give them the foundation for whatever comes after graduation and to help mold them into productive members of the community.  My youngest son has special needs.  My wife and I have chosen to send him to Riverside because studies have shown that children with special needs tend to thrive in an inclusive environment.  I have a heart for the children with special needs and for the students that learn at a slower pace.  Riverside has done a great job with the Special Education program.  We have added aids for students, after school tutoring and even added an apartment in the high school for life skills training to name a few.  There are always areas that need improvement and I am happy to help in any way I can.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member? I have been a practicing veterinarian for seventeen years. I also operate a small business that provides large animal veterinary services through my mobile practice.  My family and I also work our small farm in Marion Township where we raise beef cows and board horses.  A large portion of my life has been devoted to education.  I was able to fulfill my dream of becoming a veterinarian through hard work and perseverance.  The foundation of these traits were formulated through having parents that demonstrated what a strong work ethic looks like.  Riverside has helped me reach my goals and now I want to help other students achieve their goals.  Obviously, the most challenging experience while on the board was navigating through the COVID pandemic.  Nothing could have prepared us for what we were up against.  Looking back I am proud of how we managed COVID.  Our goal was to keep in person learning as long as possible and we were one of the few districts that had limited online home learning.  Keeping students and families safe was always our primary goal.

In what school district or community activities/organizations have you been involved? I have been an active member of the Riverside community my whole life.  I graduated from Riverside in 1996.  My family and I are often attending various sporting events or other school events such as plays and musicals.  I have coached several levels of youth sports over the years and currently I am the head coach of a Riverside Pony baseball team.

What differentiates you from other candidates and/or board members? I understand the issues that face a small school district such as ours.  A small district is often faced with budgetary restraints, staffing shortages, improving safety and security to the students and maintaining the infrastructure of the campus.  I have had an active role in all of these areas and have had to make difficult decisions for the betterment of the district.  I am a problem solver that applies common sense and courtesy while working with others to achieve the best possible solutions.  My children actually attend Riverside.  The decisions that I help make have a direct result on their education.

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings?  What changes would you recommend? I feel that providing more opportunities to students is always a good thing.  I believe that renovating the science wing of our high school would encourage more students to actively pursue careers in the science field.  Riverside has a great working relationship with the Ellwood City Forge and I would like to see us continue to improve our industrial art department by getting more equipment.  There are vast amounts of high paying job opportunities for students who are introduced to industrial skills at school.  I would also like us to provide more advanced classes for our high level students.

What should your school district do to better prepare students as citizens? There are several things that affect students in today’s culture.  Students need to learn the difference between good debt and bad debt.  We offer personal finance classes to help students to learn how to budget and manage debt.  I believe that students should have an understanding of American history and Civics to  learn how our government works.  Mental health awareness and avoiding the dangers of social media are other topics our district has provided students and families assistance with.  We need to challenge students to better themselves and help them develop a strong work ethic.

As a board member, where would you look to make budget cuts? Over my tenure on the board we have always looked to make budgetary cuts when appropriate.  We have trimmed the staff by offering early retirement packages over the years.  We have one of the smallest administrative staffs in the county.  We have negotiated health care packages for teachers and staff as well as transportation rates and the number of bus routes available. We have done all of these things without furloughing any employees.  The current board members and myself have always stated that we would make as many budgetary cuts as possible without affecting the standard of education for the students.  Keeping smaller classroom numbers by occasionally adding extra staff has also been a priority for our board.

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden? Providing a quality education without over burdening the taxpayer can always be a challenge.  Our students have excelled in academics, athletics, and the arts. Riverside is among the highest on standardized testing in the county and state.  I am proud that Riverside is among the lowest for school taxes in the county. Over the past 14 years, the number of tax increases and the amount of millage raised is the lowest in the county.  Having qualified individuals on the school board is essential to having a successful district.  Those who campaign on only lowering taxes put the educational standards at risk and will deprive students of a quality education.  My priority will always be to make sure that Riverside provides the highest quality of education without abundant tax increases.

What attributes are essential for successful school board members? I feel that it is important that anyone running for the School Board should actually have a true love for the district and its students.  Essentially, everything we do is for them.  I pride myself on being a trustworthy and hardworking individual that wants to help and serve the community.  A member needs to be willing to work with others and listen to what others have to say.  One must be able to compromise when needed but not be intimidated.  A successful board member will do what they feel is right.  One must have a strong knowledge on the issues at hand and be able to communicate those views with others.  An individual needs to be able to do whatever is best for the district even if unpopular decisions need to be made.  A successful board member needs to be open minded and not show bitterness if a decision doesn’t go their way.

How would you handle the requests, if approached, by an individual?  Special interest groups? I would always be willing to listen and help in any way that I could if approached by an individual with a concern.  I have spoken with several community members over the years to provide insight on what is going on at the school.

How can you contribute to a successful board meeting? A successful board meeting relays the information on the agenda to the public.  A member must be knowledgeable about the topics of discussion.  Members should be respectful towards one another and the public.  The proper procedures should be followed to be respectful to all parties involved.

What do you see as the current challenges facing public education in our state?  In our country? Perhaps the biggest challenge facing public schools is funding.  Well run districts (like Riverside) whose low tax rates, low poverty rates and high median income for residents will be given less funding than poorly run districts.  Riverside will receive less funding than our surrounding districts because we have done a good job managing the school.  This seems unjust to me and politicians need to examine the equation of how funding is dispersed.  Staffing shortages are apparent all over the country as less and less individuals are going into the teaching field.  Also the massive amount that the district contributes to the Pennsylvania State Retirement Fund continues to grow over the last several years with no answers from state representation.  The challenges that face the public educational system across our country are massive.  The USA continues to fall in ranking of math and science scores compared to other nations.  We need to do a better job putting more focus on math and science so that we can continue to be a dominant nation.  We need to identify students who are falling behind in math, science and reading and get them the help they need.  Our country is being attacked by a woke agenda that is detrimental to our youth.  In my opinion,  education starts in the home.  Parents need to emphasize the importance of a good education and make it a priority to their children.  Parents need to help teach their children and demonstrate what high moral standards look like.

What are 2-3 strengths of which our district can be proud?  Why do you see these as strengths? Without a doubt, Riverside’s greatest strength is its student body.  We are a small school but we compete with the best and biggest schools in all areas of academics, athletics and the arts.  We have an amazing administration and staff that are caring and invested in the lives of their students.  Lastly, the community support is what makes Riverside so special.  Commonly members volunteer to serve and give of themselves and I truly appreciate your support.  It takes a village to raise a child and the Riverside community continues to step up when called upon.

What are 2-3 needs that must be priorities for our district to address?  Why do you see these as needs? Safety and security of our students is always the main priority for our board.  We are always looking to increase the safety and security of our student body.  We were one of the first districts to employ a School Police Officer and a Student Resource Officer.  Improving the facility and improvements to the campus must be a priority for the district.  We have an aged HVAC system that needs replaced.  As a board member, I take the upkeep of our school very seriously.  Our students deserve heat in the winter and proper lighting in the classrooms.  Any homeowner or small business owner knows that you have to invest and maintain in your house or business to ensure its survival.  Lastly, continuing to decrease the cafeteria debt will always be an issue for the school.  This was perhaps the biggest issue when I joined the board over eight years ago.  We have done a great job in almost eliminating this issue but it will always be a concern for any small district.

If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service? The key accomplishments that I would like to see over the next four years would be the continued growth for the district.  If we maintain our facilities and continue to increase our academic standards it will only improve our community even more.  Property values will continue to rise and Riverside will continue to be the destination district that other districts emulate.  I want to continue to provide students with opportunities and the tools they need to reach their goals. Thank you for all the support that I have received and I humbly ask for your vote this election year.

Alexis Pflugh

Family: Wife of 15 years, mother of 5 unique souls, descendant from early settler farming families in the local area

Employment: Self-employed Entrepreneur

Former Experience, Roles, and Years Serving on Ellwood City Area School District Board: Not a prior School Board candidate or member, ready to bring fresh perspectives and remove stale objectives!

Why are you running for School Board? There are one hundred reasons for me to participate on the school board. The single reason I do not want to, is that I would rather spend all that time with my children. However, since I am a homeschooling mother, I am blessed to have more time with my children than most. I have decided the best action is to actively model the behaviors of a productive citizen, hoping to inspire my children, as their educator. And with this action, I can intentionally protect the precious lives of the current public school generation of youth who will undoubtedly be facing their own set of future challenges alongside my progeny.

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board? Government overreach into American society is experiencing an all-time high, and people need to remember that we have “a Republic, if you can keep it.” -Ben Franklin. I aim to protect our Republic, and by doing so, the protections for our school, its children, their freedoms and their future will be secure. The way you protect a Republic is to honor its Constitution, assuring protection of rights, and acknowledging unique qualities of individuals. The “one-size fits all” approach to education is damaging, and it is our district’s duty to stay strong enough to reject the increasing government overreach policies we have seen invade our schools in recent years. Educating authority is best left to the head educator of each classroom, where the teacher can use his or her unique abilities to develop themselves along with their students, as each experience demands. Unfortunately, we are now in times where every classroom, its curriculum, behaviors, expectations and measurements are all being monitored and controlled by the central power mongering happening across the nation. This happens in many ways from mandatory performance testing to financial punishments and strings-attached funding. I believe the board’s focus should be on empowering each teacher individually, while serving as a forcefield for them against the demands from the state and federal level.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member? Being passionate about intentional political knowledge while advocating for proper governmental structure is and has been a priority in my life through many phases and stages. I recently served a 4 year term as a County Commissioner (out of state) while growing a family and owning two businesses. Budgeting knowledge is a category on its own when it comes to governmental structures, because they don’t play by the same rules for themselves as is expected in traditional economic budgeting. I have extensive exposure and experience coordinating and restructuring government spending in my last role. Sometimes people forget that the role of the school board is to spend everyone’s money.

In what school district or community activities/organizations have you been involved? Since moving back to this area, I have repeatedly attended school board meetings, asking the tough questions and exposing the issues that all too easily get swept under the rug. Riverside Area has a soccer program, RAYSL, where I volunteer some time for my favorite sport. I personally host activities for local homeschooling and cyber school families. I am a donor to various organizations and sports that serve our community and youth.

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members? My education is actually in the field of political science. I have a Bachelor’s Degree from local Westminster College, which allows me to offer the most foundational and substantial knowledge about proper governance. May people begin to reject the idea that a “school board” is a popularity contest. It is acknowledged in our State Constitution as the most local autonomous authority. It’s at the lowest level, meaning it exercises the most powerful government spending with your dollars. The board takes money from everyone within its boundaries, whether they have children inside the school, or not! It also relies on larger-level government redistribution of tax dollars. With my knowledge and experience, I can begin to introduce alternative ideas for funding mechanisms and preparatory planning which could lead us out of debt, which consequently would reduce our dependency on the strings-attached tax dollars that are trying to control every move each teacher or student makes.

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend? Without a thorough examination of the critiques, suggestions and recommendations of the teachers themselves, I feel it would be unfair for me to form a plan of action on the topic of curriculum or programming. As we have seen the governmental overreach I mentioned extend all the way into the very classrooms of each teacher, I would be interested in polling the staff on their thoughts about any helpful changes. I believe in classroom autonomy and teacher authority. The administration’s job is to report to the school board, who then uses its voting power to take action. It appears as if there is already good, consistent communication within the district administration, so asking for discussion on this issue would be a great idea for anyone who does end up on the board!

What should your school district do to better prepare students as citizens? From what I am witnessing in the status quo, it appears as if a stronger focus on civics knowledge could benefit us all. I am a huge proponent of the trades, arts, and community service.

As a board member, where would you look to make budget cuts?  Unfortunately, the approximate portion of the budget which is immovable without drastic changes to staffing and program dissolution is perhaps, 10%? Cuts to a fixed budget of this sort are not easily found. We don’t want to see what happened in Deer Lakes happen here. They became so consumed with debt, that a huge lay-off was the only solution to save the district. The less debt we have, the more secure the teachers and administration’s jobs are, exponentially. We need to look for more grant opportunities as well as utilize community service projects to help maintain our costs and overhead.

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden? If we tax our citizens right out of their homes, there will be no one to continue collecting taxes from, in order to fund the school. The taxpayer burden should always be highly considered, since the entire existence of the school board is to control the funding by voting in front of the public. It is public money. As a resourceful farmer, homeschooler and entrepreneur of multiple business ventures, I can assure you that quality is not measured in dollars. We want to compensate our teachers well, and protect the structural integrity of the school. But, an education does not need to cost a fortune. Using more creative techniques, as Riverside does with their outdoor classroom, can far exceed any expensive equipment or first-class comfort when considering the value of what it means to become educated.

What attributes are essential for successful school board members? Courage and bravery are becoming less desirable attributes in society, yet that is what makes a figurehead an actual leader. As my repetitive approaches to the current board indicate, I lack neither. Compassion for youth and education is a necessary driver for anyone who dedicates their time to learning, and I have spent the last 14 years pouring my efforts into cultivating a learning environment right within my home, day in and day out, with no breaks, no paid time off, nor rotation of pupils, five times over. I am a doer, a thinker, and always willing to contemplate ideas. Change can be so welcoming and inspiring, yet it is often rejected out of fear. We all need to stop electing fearful people and start expecting our local levels of government to protect us, not pass down orders to us from above. This is America, every single person is important, we didn’t come all this way from escaping tyranny just to roll over.

How would you handle the requests, if approached, by an individual?  Special interest groups? Individuals should be directed to approach the entire board, but for anyone who is hesitant, I am that person who never fears to speak up on someone’s behalf. Groups should also be encouraged to approach the entire board. If it is not feasible, the use of online information presentation is a perfect tool. I have been one of those requesting video-taped meetings from Riverside’s board, and recently they have obliged. This is very helpful to keep everyone in the loop and to provide the most important attribute of any good board, transparency.

How can you contribute to a successful board meeting? I have extensive knowledge on Robert’s Rules of Order, something I first learned right inside the walls of Riverside High School. This is a proven tactic in our society as a peaceful way to keep meetings productive. It is already used in Riverside’s board meetings. Additionally, my willingness to speak will enhance the value of the discussion on agenda items, which has been typically minimal during the current term, for unknown reasons.

What do you see as the current challenges facing public education in our state? In our country? They are too numerous to mention. I see the best outcome happening if we learn to focus on local priorities, implementing small yet powerful and creative changes to the mechanisms that are already in place for funding and supporting local schools.

What are 2-3 strengths of which our district can be proud? Why do you see these as strengths? The Riverside community is seated in a gorgeous landscape of Pennsylvania, with an abundance of historical value and natural assets. The people of this region are strong-willed and have descended from those who were proud enough to fight for freedom. I see the local people as the best strength, because they have maintained a lifestyle here that is desirable and comfortable. We all want what is best for the future and our children, so we work hard to provide all that we can. We are a peaceful and respectable community with plenty to offer each generation who wishes to reside within the district.

What are 2-3 needs that must be priorities for our district to address? Why do you see these as needs? Change the course of pursuing more debt. We are already owing 10 million, have plans to borrow another 10 million, and will owe an additional 10 million in interest under this current board. We can’t continue this pattern. It is literally putting our grandchildren in debt just to fix the problems we have today. It doesn’t have to be this way. We can learn to live within our means. Our school has proven to be safe physically, but there is an obvious need for mental health services to be supported, while removing negative stereotypes surrounding the issue. In addition to better financial planning, and helping with emotional care of the students, the district has failed to make parent’s rights a priority. This will be my main goal, to protect parents’ rights by honoring the Constitution, which was created to keep the Republic! Parents need protection.

If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service?

• Change the course increasing debt
• Pursue grant opportunities
• Increase open public discussion during meetings
• Honor the autonomy of teachers and protect them from government overreach
• Make investments to stabilize future spending
• Support local programs for youth opportunities: both curriculum-based as well as physical sports and opportunities
• Enhance community service projects for the district
• Keep the public informed with transparency

Jamie Reed Miller

Family: Evan (Husband) and 3 children, Nash, Silas and Reed

Employment: Senior Audit Director

Prior Technology Auditor at KPMG LLP

19 years experience in auditing, accounting and risk management

Bachelor of Arts from Washington & Jefferson College, Accounting Major

Former Experience, Roles, and Years Serving on Riverside Beaver County School District Board: 4 years served on Riverside Board; 2 years served on Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit Board

Why are you running for School Board? I love this district which is why I returned to the area 9 years ago to raise my family and have my children attend the district that both my husband and I graduated from. Being on the board provides an opportunity for me to give back to the district that provided me the educational base that was essential to my next level education and career.

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board? Although there is no single issue that motivates me, I am proud of the improved financial planning that I have been a part of while serving the board and feel that my experience can help continue to strengthen that planning for years to come.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member? My experience as an auditor and my education in accounting provided skills in finance, capital planning, and budgeting that are crucial to the financial responsibilities of the board.

In what school district or community activities/organizations have you been involved? I am a member of the PTO and am a proud Riverside baseball mom. I also support our many booster organizations. While serving on the Beaver County Intermediate Unit, I also participate in activities at New Horizon School.

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members? My experience in financial planning and auditing differentiates me from other candidates.

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend? Our district does a great job with its academic program. I would love to see us offering additional intern and apprenticeship opportunities, especially with local businesses.

What should your school district do to better prepare students as citizens? I graduated from Riverside in 2000 and felt very prepared. I look around at the district today and see the accomplishments that we have made including volunteer expectations, our life skills apartment, technology opportunities, and college level courses in high school. It makes me proud that our administration continues to focus on these efforts. I would like to see us partner even more with the businesses in our community for our students to see the opportunities that exist right here.

As a board member, where would you look to make budget cuts? Our business administrator has done a great job finding ways to reduce expenses to help balance the budget as effectively as possible. Riverside has raised taxes very few times in comparison to other districts in the surrounding area due to our strong budgeting process.

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden? The board needs to thoroughly understand the district funding in combination with our educational needs to respond to the local taxpayers burden and concerns.

What attributes are essential for successful school board members? I believe a successful board member needs to be an ongoing learner, a good listener and a fair decision maker.

How would you handle the requests, if approached, by an individual?  Special interest groups? Requests are handled through the board as a whole and must follow the correct procedures.

How can you contribute to a successful board meeting? By being prepared, doing the research required and being open to different perspectives when making decisions.

What do you see as the current challenges facing public education in our state? In our country? I think the current challenge is increased cost of running a district with inflation rising.

What are 2-3 strengths of which our district can be proud? Why do you see these as strengths? Our district has a strong educational base with strong teachers as demonstrated by our PSSA and Keystone exam scores. We also have some amazingly well rounded students as noted by the many awards and nominations our students receive, from the Mancini awards for our musicals, our sports teams, and our robotics teams, just to name a few. Finally our last strength is the way we come together as a community. Our PTO is a great example of that with their drive to provide so many wonderful events for our students and show our teachers and staff appreciation for all that they do.

What are 2-3 needs that must be priorities for our district to address? Why do you see these as needs? I believe that we need to prioritize capital planning to make sure we can address the ongoing needs of the district while balancing a financial plan that spreads those expenses over a longer period of time and allows for the ability to save towards those items.

If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service? I hope that a key accomplishment is continuing to strengthen our budgeting and planning process. I am proud that in the last few years we have helped to eliminate the cafeteria fund debt and recorded a positive net asset amount in the cafeteria fund for the first time in many years.