Meet the 5 candidates competing for Chambersburg school board's Region 1 seat
Five candidates will compete in the primary election on May 18 for the Region 1 seat on the Chambersburg Area School District Board of Directors.
All the candidates - Faye H. Gaugler, James Jenkins, Joelene Kline, Gerald Culbertson and Christopher Reed - will appear on the Republican ballot. Reed, Gaugler and Jenkins cross-filed, meaning they are also seeking the Democratic nomination.
One candidate from each party will move on to the general election in November. The race could effectively be decided in the primary if one of the cross-filed candidates wins in both parties.
When his term ends this fall, Dana Baker will have had the Region 1 seat for eight years. The region includes all of Letterkenny and Lurgan townships and the third and sixth precincts in Greene Township.
The seat is among six on the school board up for election this cycle.
Two candidates have cross-filed for the Region 3 seat, which Kris Scritchfield has held since 2017. Lance Walker, who was appointed to the Region 4 seat this school year following the resignation of Carl Barton, is running unopposed in both parties. Edward Norcross is running unopposed in both parties for a third term in the Region 6 seat. No candidates will appear on either ticket for the Region 7 and Region 8 seats - currently held by Michael Finucane and Sally Brooks, respectively - which both have two-year terms.
To help voters learn more about them, we asked the five Region 1 candidates the same three questions. The answers they submitted are below, lightly edited for clarity.
Primary election:Here's who is running for local offices in Franklin County in the 2021 primary election
Other CASD race:Mental health counselor and veteran educator compete for Chambersburg school board seat
Faye H. Gaugler
Age: 73
Party: Republican and Democratic
Considering your experiences and background, why are you the best choice for this school board seat?
My experience, both professionally and since retirement, provide the leadership skills needed for this school board seat. I was a member of the Administrative Team at Chambersburg Hospital when I was a Nurse Manager and Associate Director of Nursing. My teaching experience at the Franklin County Career and Technology Center Practical Nursing Program provided me with the opportunity to implement computer technology to aid in the instruction of students. I witnessed first-hand the importance of self-confidence and optimism in promoting success in the students who I served. I have been a member of various volunteer boards, including the Administrative Board at Salem United Brethren Church, the Board of the former Piney Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and I am currently serving on the Advisory Council for the Franklin County Area Agency on Aging. I was a volunteer in the Kindergarten classroom at Buchanan Elementary School during the 2018-2019 School Year. I also actively assisted my two grandchildren during the COVID-19 school closure. My prior employment experiences, as well as my many volunteer roles in the community, make me the best choice for the Region 1 CASD school board seat.
COVID-19 made this a challenging school year for everyone involved. How do you think CASD handled it, and what should have been done differently?
COVID-19 was challenging for everyone throughout the world. CASD handled it as best they could since there was no template for this once-in-a-century event. My position is that citizens need to be looking to the future, not spending time and energy debating what could have been done differently. Like many businesses, CASD implemented computer technology as quickly as possible, initially through Zoom meetings with teachers and students to review printed worksheets that were distributed. CASD was forced to purchase Chromebooks for all students, something that was needed prior to the pandemic. Moving forward, computer technology provides an opportunity for teachers to be creative as they prepare students for the 21st century. Resistance to change is common regardless of the workplace. “Change is not a season. It’s a way of life.”
Discuss the top two issues CASD is facing and how they should be addressed.
A primary issue facing the CASD school board and the administrative team is the need to build trust and support within the community. The public school system has provided the basis for education of the majority of children for more than a century. The parents or guardians of students are the customers who need to have confidence that the public school provides high-quality education or other options such as charter school will be considered. Mutual respect and openness are vital to maintaining the trust of the stakeholders.
Another issue facing CASD is the diversity of our student population. Diversity includes the wide range of academic abilities of students in the classroom. The teacher is faced with meeting the needs of the student who excels, as well as the student who lacks the academic ability as well as the social and emotional support needed to be successful. The teacher has the awesome responsibility of making a difference in the life of each student. A word of encouragement, appropriate and fair discipline, and a smile are vital to the development of confidence and interpersonal skills needed for success. Education is the key that can unlock the future of all students, regardless of their background.
James Jenkins
Age: 47
Party: Republican and Democratic
Considering your experiences and background, why are you the best choice for this school board seat?
Professionally, I have always held roles where I have to work closely with the public (currently as annual giving officer at Mercersburg Academy). In fact, many of these roles involved taking this information and putting it in a format that was digestible and easy to understand. Through some of my conversations, people feel this is lacking.
I’m going into this with no ego or hidden agenda. I would be willing to work with the other members to solve the issues. My goal is to make CASD the best district I can for the parents, teachers, students, and staff.
COVID-19 made this a challenging school year for everyone involved. How do you think CASD handled it, and what should have been done differently?
I think the global pandemic put CASD in a difficult position as many school districts were. That being said, I think CASD handled the pandemic as well as they could have given the resources they had at the time. I do believe they tried to adapt as more and more information was released and resources became available.
However, I do wish more consideration would have been given to those students that need to be in the classroom. My nephew, who we are raising, has an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and he really struggled with virtual learning. Fortunately, we were in a position where we could monitor him closely. I think about those families that might not have the ability to closely monitor their child that has an IEP. Could there have been a better way to address this issue?
Discuss the top two issues CASD is facing and how they should be addressed.
I think the top two issues going into next year are mental health and wellness and learning regression.
COVID has been tough on all of us and we need to make sure we have the patience as a community and make the resources available to address the mental health and wellness of both the students and the teachers. Education is tough enough without a pandemic and we need to make sure the transition to fulltime, in-person learning is a smooth one.
Regression is a big issue for many students over the summer. Now, throw on top of that a global pandemic and virtual learning – it is not going to be easy to get back on track. We will need to have a plan in place to make sure we are setting up our students and teachers for success.
Joelene Kline
Age: 45
Party: Republican
Considering your experiences and background, why are you the best choice for this school board seat?
I am a mother of 6 with 5 still in the district. I think it is imperative for us to get more parents on the board. I am in the medical field (as a nurse practitioner) which is a viewpoint that has been missing. I am conservative and believe we as parents need to stand up for our kids and their education.
COVID-19 made this a challenging school year for everyone involved. How do you think CASD handled it, and what should have been done differently?
I think it was a difficult situation but I believe the board as a whole handled it very poorly. Most of the discussions were about the teachers and staff and not about the needs of the children. Covid isn’t going away and now on top of this we have a weakened education and children with a increase in mental health issues because of the delay in getting them back to school.
Discuss the top two issues CASD is facing and how they should be addressed.
I think financial is a huge issue as we continue to face budget issues and spending that exceeds the budget. We need to be better stewards of the available funds. We need to prioritize the needs and where the money is going and illuminate unnecessary positions added without justification.
The children of this district have lots to deal with. I feel as a district we need to deal specifically with local issues and try to stop starting new programs etc that are seen in other larger districts that don’t apply as much to our community. We have specific needs and that should be the focus. Our kids should be the focus and their specific issues should guide the board. If we have problems as a district (teacher shortage etc) we can’t make our children pay for those we need to fix them and get back to focusing on the kids.
Gerald L. Culbertson
Age: 49
Party: Republican
Considering your experiences and background, why are you the best choice for this school board seat?
I have served on the board of PMBL (Pennsylvania Midstate Baseball League) for over 15 years and committed over 25 years of dedicated service to youth in Lurgan sports and recreation. I know what it takes to voice a responsible opinion and make sure all avenues have been researched and properly studied, so an intelligent outcome can be reached and satisfied by all involved. Keeping well-informed, as in this case the school district I reside in, and how it involves me and my fellow residents.
COVID-19 made this a challenging school year for everyone involved. How do you think CASD handled it, and what should have been done differently?
They could’ve handled this differently in my opinion. In the start of this, obviously, no one knew what to expect. They were rightfully cautious, then proceeded to follow unsubstantial evidence. The facts are proven now that children can prevail over this virus more easily than an adult. Facts speak loudly and the children are our futures. Firstly allow the kids back in school Monday through Friday. We have the capabilities to keep our school clean and safe. COVID-19 is real, but we can’t scare them before their futures begin. The numbers in science show that this virus can be defeated as others before them. We need to prepare our children with confidence.
Discuss the top two issues CASD is facing and how they should be addressed.
Challenges are coming our way very soon with the community. I’m afraid some won’t be ready. I feel it is my duty as a patriot, father, grandfather, and loyal citizen to act the best way I know how. Try to persuade those who might not understand how serious these challenges will be. Quick example, Critical Race Theory is coming our way. We must be ready. When I was in school in the 80s I thought our country was healing from some of our disastrous ways involving race. We blended together to abolish this radical thinking. Don’t teach our kids to hate each other because they are different. And don’t scare them into it either. School is to guide with facts, not indoctrinate them with these ideologies. Ingenuity is also something being discussed in some school districts. This term basically means virtual learning. We as parents are trying to avoid this scenario. Children need to socially synchronize to build character and devotion. They need to work with their peers to base their accomplishments for future goals. Let them find solutions on their own with our “guidance” to prevail. Keep them in class, but with proper solutions we can provide on this board.
Christopher Reed
Age: 36
Party: Republican and Democratic
Considering your experiences and background, why are you the best choice for this school board seat?
I was born and raised in Shippensburg, PA and attended college at Grove City College (Grove City, PA) graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. While working in the fast-paced world of transportation during the last 10 years I have gained valuable leadership experience and developed analytical skills that would serve me well making decisions for the CASD and local community. I will also bring a level of professionalism and respect for all to the board that has been lacking in recent years. I am committed to helping to move this district and community in a responsible, positive, and accountable direction. I have two children who currently attend the district. During the past year I have been on a parent committee that meets with the Superintendent on a monthly basis.
COVID-19 made this a challenging school year for everyone involved. How do you think CASD handled it, and what should have been done differently?
I would first like to take this opportunity to thank our current administration, teachers, and school board members for rising to the challenge during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The top priority when making decisions during this time should be the health and safety of the students, teachers, and staff. In March of 2020, CASD was following the guidance of Federal and State officials and making appropriate decisions based on the information that was available. However, the district was not prepared for a return to in-person learning for the fall of 2020 and continued to not propose acceptable options for in-person learning until March of 2021. The current option that CASD is operating under is a four-day in-person option with Wednesdays virtual-only so the district can clean. Based on the science there is no reason that a school needs to be closed for a full day a week for cleaning. There have also not been any COVID-19 outbreaks linked to hard surfaces at school buildings. Our students are currently losing 20% of their school year.
Discuss the top two issues CASD is facing and how they should be addressed.
CASD has multiple issues that will need addressed over the next 4 years.
The first issue that will need to be addressed is how the district continues to invest in technology, tools, and training. The district was forced to invest in technology due to COVID-19 when they purchased laptops for teachers and students. Teachers and students need to continue to be pushed to utilize these tools so that they get a well-rounded education that prepares them for prospective employers when they graduate. Over the next 10 years we will continue to see our world become more dependent on technology and it is imperative that we set our community up to take advantage of these opportunities.
Our second most important issue is how we are going to address our aging buildings. We have an opportunity to make sure our district sets the gold standard for central PA. There are multiple schools in our district that will need remodeled or replaced in the upcoming years and that will mean responsible spending, planning, and project management.
Amber South can be reached at asouth@publicopinionnews.com.