8 vie for 4 open school board seats

Two incumbents not seeking re-election

in the May 16 primary election.

Incumbent board members Daniel Cushing and Renee Pfender face challengers Ellen Marie Bahnsen, Lori Broker, Christopher Caltagirone, Michael D. Eggleston, Blake Emmanuel and Jeesely Soto. Two other current school board members, Joshua Gould and Betsy Ruch, have decided not to seek re-election.

With the exception of Caltagirone, each candidate is cross-filed on the ballot, meaning both Democrats and Republicans will choose four candidates to presumably fill the seats in November. Caltagirone will not appear on the Republican ballot, as he is only filed as a Democratic candidate.

Each candidate was asked to respond via email to a questionnaire sent by Digital First Media that looked to gain some insight as to why they felt they were the best person to fill a seat on the board. Each replied with the understanding that their responses could be edited for clarity or length, out of fairness to their opponents.

Here’s a brief look at each candidate:

Ellen Marie Bahnsen

As a 20 year resident of Schuylkill Township, Bahnsen, 54, said she’s running for a seat on the board to balance the needs of students with those of taxpayers. The author and homemaker, whose son attends the middle school, called public education “a gift we bestow our children” to create future leaders.

“However, we need the taxpayers’ and the teachers’ input and respect to achieve the goals that are best suited for the children,” she said.

Bahnsen brings with her 22 year of business experience having worked in the past directly with “CEOs, presidents, (chief financial officers) and chairmen of the board,” she said.

“I bring dedication, discretion, and integrity,” she said. “I bring task-oriented, multi-tasking and professional skill sets.”

If elected, her focus would be preparing students for employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, increasing Advanced Placement and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math programs and participation, and continuing to prepare students for life after graduation.

Lori Broker

Broker said she’s running for school board for three main reasons: the board is not tackling the real issues facing families in the district that she sees everyday as a parent; the

Lori Broker

Ellen Marie Bahnsen