RTM School Board Contest—More than Dems v. GOP

As candidates, Jim Coyne, John Nee, and I believe that anyone who sees this election as simply a contest between Democrats and Republicans may miss what is really at stake for RTM students and residents.

We understand that school board races don’t capture the public’s imagination or a lot of media attention. However, we believe that school boards across Pennsylvania will emerge from this year’s elections at the epicenter of some of the most important political and social issues of our day.

The RTM School Board will need to take a balanced and equitable approach to a myriad of issues to reflect the interests of the whole community, not the interests of any one political party or of any one community group. In this process, the central goal remains that of providing quality educational opportunities for all of the children in the community. This is important because these children are the future leaders of the community; they are our future.

To be sure, there is more than one approach to dealing with unions, teacher performance, school taxes, class size, and budget concerns. Thoughtful consideration must be given to seniors on fixed incomes, accountable governance, and the public’s right to know. State cuts to public education funding that could jeopardize the quality of the education that our children will receive and which they will need to participate competitively in society have been made and will continue to be made. The point is, these times require vigilance and a willingness to act decisively and yet collaboratively, keeping in the forefront of all decisions the goal of making good RTM schools become even better.

Jim, John, and I are not typical school board candidates. We are continuing to actively advocate for more public accountability, more effective collaboration with teachers, school administration, parents, taxpayers, and unions, and greater transparency in how the school board operates. As first-time candidates, we are keenly aware of the difference between laying out a very clear vision as candidates and the challenge and responsibility for delivering good governance as elected community representatives. We welcome that challenge.

In the remaining days leading up the Nov. 8 Election, we will continue appealing to voters one-on-one and through media and mailings to ask for their support. More information is available at www.friendsofrosetreemedia.com

Janet Lis for Janet Lis, John Nee and Jim Coyne
Democratic Candidates
for Rose Tree Media School Director