The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Jennifer Cancro — Democratic ticket
that each student will have opportunities to strive towards his or her own growth and achievement. She plans to foster community relationships in order to promote the overall value of the district. Implementation of long range forecasting and management of current needs are her goals to ensure fiscal responsibility. Cancro will also promote and help develop opportunities at all age levels in extracurricular/co-curricular activities and athletics to enhance growth within Methacton schools. Her ultimate goal is to encapsulate Methacton’s slogan to “Learn, Lead and Succeed Together.”
Jennifer Cancro is a recognizable and engaged member of the community. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Boston University in occupational therapy. Elizabeth “Liz” Drummond She and has lived in Lower her husband, Providence for 18 years. She attended Springfield, Delaware Wayne, County public schools, have resided and received in Worcester Township for more than seven her BS in years with their four children. psychology She has been a member from of the Worcester Elementary Penn Home and School State and Board for four years, serving her MBA as president for the in marketing past two and overseeing the scope of its volunteers, programs from the and events. She has University also served on the Methacton of Pittsburgh. School District Special She is a program assistant Focus Committee for Extracurricular/Co-Curricular at Penn State Cooperative Extension and clearances Activities and the Communications coordinator for Bucks Focus Committee. and Montgomery counties,
Whether volunteering at with extensive experience a school district event or at in talent acquisition, budget Visitation’s parish activities, and credit management, Cancro’s focus is on creating project coordination and an inclusive, supportive compliance. She and her atmosphere for the community husband Ryan are proud in which she lives. parents of two girls in the Her vision, and strengths, Methacton School District. are fortified in transparent Drummond is a member communication, fiscal of three Home and School management and outlined boards and has served as direction. home and school treasurer
Cancro will promote the at both Woodland and Skyview “whole child concept” so Upper Elementary.
Elizabeth Drummond — Democratic ticket
She has chaired fundraising and social committees for the school communities, and she has been a weekly library volunteer at Woodland since 2012. Drummond has also supported the school district by serving on the Focus Committee for Parent Portal evaluations.
For more than five years, Drummond has been actively involved in leadership as volunteer and cookie manager with the Girl Scouts of America.
As a Methacton school board director, Drummond will focus on fiscal responsibility, explore full day kindergarten and work to enhance STEM education in the district, particularly at the elementary level.
Brenda Hackett — Republican ticket
Brenda Hackett is a resident of Lower Providence and has lived in the area her entire life. She is a graduate of Little Flower High School in Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania with a BBA in accounting. She has four grown children. Three of her grandchildren attended Methacton schools. She worked for 35 years as an accountant in a variety of industries, both forprofit and nonprofit. At retirement, she was the chief operating officer of a nonprofit organization in the academic field (Metanexus Institute).
She was elected to the Board of School Directors of Methacton School District in 2013 and has served on several committees — Education, Finance, Human Resources, Policy. In addition, she was elected to the Board of the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit as the representative of the Methacton board. Hackett is also the board liaison to the Curriculum Committee and the Home and School groups of the district. She advocates for strong educational practices, fiscal responsibility, operational efficiency and effective board leadership.
Mary Hull — Democratic ticket
Mary Hull is a 16-year Lower Providence resident. She graduated from Central Bucks East High School in Bucks County, and she holds a BA in government from Lehigh University. Her professional career includes marketing support, and both software and website development.
Since 2011, Hull has been an active member of Arrowhead Elementary School’s Home and School Association. She manages its media content and communications, has held multiple elected positions on its executive board, and currently serves as its president. She is also a Methacton coordinating council representative. Most recently, Hull has served on the MSD Consolidation Committee’s Redistricting Subcommittee, the MSD Focus Committee for Parent Portal Evaluations, and the MSD Communication Focus Committee. In sharing her insights with the school district, she has collaborated with the administration and has been a vocal advocate for the community in which she lives.
She and her husband, Ken, have three children who attend Methacton schools and Visitation BVM PREP. Hull believes her years of experience with parents, teachers, administration, and the community have provided insight into how to help Methacton create an environment where our students thrive, our community prospers, and our administration is most efficient.
Ralph Navarrete — Democratic ticket
Ralph Navarrete is a 15-year active community leader in Methacton School District, where his two children attend school and his wife is an elementary school teacher. He earned his MBA in finance and strategic management from Villanova University, and his bachelor’s in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware.
He has spent the last 19 years in various roles in the downstream oil and gas industry and currently manages the sales, marketing and product development for a global chemicals business. Navarrete has participated in the WATCH D.O.G.S dad program, and has served on the Methacton Strategic Planning Committee. He has been a coach for local youth baseball and soccer teams, and a PIAA and American Legion baseball umpire, and he currently serves as president of Methacton United Soccer Club.
Navarrete wants Methacton to be the first school district that families consider when moving to Montgomery County. He believes in a stronger priority for educational excellence and in strengthening the ties that bind community to schools. He also supports improving the district’s fiscal discipline and long-term planning, particularly at this time of uncertain future school funding.
Herb Rothe III — Republican ticket
Herb Rothe III is the fourth-generation owner of his 109-year-old, family-run flower shop in Mount Airy, Philadelphia. He is a graduate of Penn State University and has resided in Worcester township with his wife, Cheryl, for 19 years. The Rothes have two children in the Methacton School District and are active with the Methacton Music Boosters. Rothe has a strong interest in the future direction of the Methacton School District and wants to ensure that the quality education Methacton provides continues onto the next generation. However, he also wants to make sure that there is strong financial oversight and accountability within the district that will in turn strengthen and enable more effective funding for quality education. Rothe is completing his second four-year term on the board. He currently serves on the Property Committee of the board and is the board’s elected representative to the North Montco Technical Career Center. During previous terms, Rothe has served as vice president of the board as well as served on the Finance, Human Resources, Technology and Policy committees. He looks forward to continuous service on the Board.
Karen S. Vavra — Republican ticket
Karen S. Vavra and her family have lived in the district for more than 17 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Missouri and her MBA with concentration in finance from Villanova University. She also holds a CPA license in the state of Pennsylvania.
Vavra has a deep background in the areas of finance and accounting. She has worked for global asset management firms, banking organizations and accounting firms. Prior to the financial services industry, she held several positions with accounting firms where she gained in-depth knowledge of financial statement structure and review. Many of her professional roles involve promoting an environment of collaboration and communication to find common ground between participants.
Vavra enjoys volunteering in her children’s activities by participating in their school activities, Girl Scout events, sports groups and supporting their various creative arts activities.
She will work to ensure the board’s focus is primarily on education with a strong financial management.