8 vie for seats on school board
Four incumbents seek to retain seats
LANSDALE >> Four incumbent Democrats are facing a team of Republican challengers in the May 18 primary for seats on the North Penn School board.
Current board members Tina Stoll, Christian Fusco, Jonathan Kassa and Al Roesch have all filed on both the Democratic and Republican ballots, in their second runs as the “North Penn Neighbors for Progress” team against candidates Jessie Bradica, Frederick Froehlich, Michael Kennedy and Harry Snyder.
All eight candidates were asked the same questions, and below are the answers for the “North Penn Neighbors for Progress” team; the challengers shared their answers in a separate story.
Christian Fusco
Why are you running for this office? I am running for a second term on the North Penn School Board of Directors
because the work I started four years ago is not finished. My priorities for a second term on the board are to continue to make North Penn more inclusive and equitable for all students. All of our kids should feel they have a place in our schools. Next, I want to make strategic investments to address the districts aging infrastructure in our middle schools and at the high school. No more kicking the can down the road.
Further, it is a goal of mine to continue to implement programs that provide opportunities for students to be prepared for the transition from high school to college and the working world. This can be done through increasing the number of partnerships with private businesses throughout the community so we can offer internship and apprenticeship opportunities for students planning to go to work after graduation. It also means offering dual enrollment college courses for high school students, to give graduates a leg up on their college work and expenses.
Next, after a year unlike any other, I intend to support initiatives to address the mental health needs of our students through adding supports, programs and personnel. Finally, as Chairperson of the Finance Committee, I want to permanently address the structural deficit in the district’s budget. I hope the voters will allow me to continue to serve this community by reelecting me to serve a second term.
Jonathan Kassa
Why are you running for this office?
Being a director is public service that I cherish, especially when I look back at the last three-plus years of being in elected office. Our diverse and vibrant community deserves the representation and responsiveness of a dynamic board that moves this district forward. I’ve advanced strategic planning and open deliberation that elevates the public discourse about the importance of investing in public education. There are many initiatives that are in place; yet, we need to see these plans through to full fruition, from safety and equity to infrastructure and a curriculum centered on student-centric excellence supported by world class staff.
Public education is to democracy what the military is to national defense. Democracy will only thrive with critical-thinking citizens that seek truth, compromise and understanding. Equally important is the preparation of future generations for the leadership necessary for a thriving community and country. I have been an outspoken public figure about the failures of our state to properly fund public education, and the threats which undermine student success while magnifying inequities. My plan to continue serving the community includes the following goals:
1) Fair and Proper Funding — we must be public education champions, this is not a partisan issue, it is the bedrock of progress for all: benefiting students, families, taxpayers and longterm economic development.
2) Safe, Secure and Vibrant Schools — there can be no student success without the most primary needs being met; if we are mindful of well-being and create a culture of proactive safety, communication, trust and responsiveness, then students can focus on education.
3) Infrastructure — a 21st century education means that we have a comprehensive strategic plan to maintain and renovate facilities, with the appropriate resources, to support academic, experiential and professional pursuits for students to attain their personal goals.
Your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.
Facebook: VoteKassa
Al Roesch
Describe your background and qualifications for school board?
I honorably served in the US Air Force. My education includes a in Business Management from Moravian College, a BS in Computer Science from Penn State University, and a MS in Business Administration from Central Michigan University.
I am a resident of Montgomery Township for 21 years, and previously lived in Hatfield Township for 3 years. My daughter and son-in-law graduated from North Penn High School. I have one grandson at Inglewood Elementary School and one grandson who will start kindergarten at Inglewood this year.
During my career I designed, developed, and implemented computer systems for major corporations including GE Aerospace, GE Astrospace, Smithkline, Wyeth, Aetna, and Independence Blue Cross.
My business experience includes writing business proposals, business analysis, project planning, project management, and team leadership.
I donate blood regularly, donated bone marrow, taught Sunday school, spend several days a week cleaning our parks and neighborhoods, coached girls basketball, and worked at the Mater Dei festival.
With the help of our community, I hope to continue to improve North Penn schools so our children are happy and successful.
Why are you running for this office?
The 2021 North Penn Neighbors for Progress team is working to fulfill the educational, social, physiological, and emotional needs of our children in a fiscally responsible manor. We are committed to communicate honestly, openly, and effectively with the parents, teachers, administrators, and taxpayers in our community. This communication is the cornerstone of our decision making process.
Our team continues to invest in proactive programs to improve school climate. We will further strengthen the district’s partnership with first responders, and use evidence based decision making to ensure that we protect students with the best practices in school safety.
Out of over twenty districts, North Penn has the fifth lowest school tax rate in the county. This is both a blessing and a curse. As a taxpayer, I appreciate low taxes. Yet, the problem is that we did not invest enough in our school infrastructure. Past school board leadership only addressed critical issues as they occurred, without developing a strategic plan for improvements. A good example of this is that instead of properly renovating schools, old school boards bought “temporary trailer classrooms” that have been used for decades. With no long term planning or budgeting to replace these units that have outlived their purpose, students and staff suffer, while taxpayers now pay for past “savings.” In one year, North Penn Neighbors for Progress created a ten year plan to address this and dozens of other priorities.
Tina Stoll
Describe your personal background and qualifications
I am a life long resident of the North Penn School District and a Class of ‘83 alum. I have lived with my husband in Montgomery Township for 18 years. Our sons, Peter, Andrew and Eric all went thru the NPSD from kindergarten thru high school. I was grateful for the experiences my children had in NPSD and it inspired me to run and be able to serve the district myself. I am currently the President of the NPSB of Directors and am serving in my fourth year on the board.
Professionally, I have a degree in Accounting from Penn State University and I am the controller of our family-owned insurance agency. I was the treasurer of the American Association of University Women (Lansdale Branch) for 2 years and am currently treasurer for the Montgomery Township Democratic Committee. During the time my children attended NP schools, I was a very active volunteer in both the community and in the district. I was the Treasurer of the
North Penn Athletic Association for four years, served in the Home and School Associations at Gwyn Nor and Bridle Path Elementary Schools and was the President of the 12th Knight Football Booster Club at the high school for seven years.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for re-election because we still have work to do that I would like to see accomplished. When our team originally ran in 2017 and was fortunate enough to be elected, we promised to implement Full Day Kindergarten, to increase transparency and communication and to promote inclusion within our schools. We also promised to address our infrastructure needs in a financially responsible and comprehensive, long term way. We’ve been able to do many of these things – Full Day Kindergarten was implemented within one year of us taking office. We developed a Comprehensive Plan that includes focusing on Equity, Access and Cultural Responsiveness. It is essential that we continue to reduce the achievement gap and address the opportunity gap for our diverse students.
We developed a 10 Year Capital Improvement Plan that addresses our many pressing infrastructure needs – it is imperative that we maintain our facilities so that they are safe and provide the most up-to-date learning environment for our students. To that end, we are in the process of renovating Knapp Elementary School and would like to shift our attention to building a ninth grade center and renovating the NPHS campus. During normal times the high school is always a hub of activity – whether there are multiple sporting events, concerts , theater events or community events like the International Spring Festival, there is always something happening at the High School. During this pandemic we were able to host multiple mass vaccination events at the High School. If anything, we’ve learned how vital our high school is as a community center.
Finally and most importantly, this past year of school in particular, has been extremely difficult for all — we are committed to providing the supports necessary for our students to support academic progress and student mental health as we get past this pandemic.