Seven Candidates Vying for Five School Board Seats

Three challengers and four incumbent Saucon Valley School Board members are running for five, four-year at-large school director positions up for election in Tuesday's primary election.

Hellertown-Lower Saucon Patch asked each candidate to provide local voters with some vital statistics and a brief statement summing up their views. They appear below, in no particular order.

Candidates' answers are in regular type, our questions (and an occasional addition for clarification) are in italics, and candidates' statements are in bold.

Age: 60

Neighborhood of residence and number of years here: Wassergass (Lower Saucon Township), 37 years

Do you have children in the district or relatives who work for the district?: No

Political affiliation: Moderate Democrat

Education: Medical & operating room technician

Profession/Work experience: Price analyst, Arcelormittal Steel

Community/Volunteer Organizations: Saucon Valley School Board, 1993 to 1997 and 2007 to present; Lehigh Valley Regional Charter School board & co-founder, 1999 to 2004; Lower Saucon Township Historical Society Board, 2004 to 2008; Saucon Valley Library Task Force; Committees for SVSD & Lower Saucon Township, 1990 to present.

Any special qualifications?: Analytical skills. Helped start a charter school, was involved in hiring of personnel, understand the differences between curriculums, programs, policies and legal issues.

Work with the superintendent and business manager to keep the budgeting process in check, search for possible changes in programs, staff, utilities and building usage for cost savings. However, it takes nine members of the board to pass issues and not one member; it is about studying and working hard together to manage the district as a board of education. It is about electing a person that has your views, trust and hears you to help the board make a difference to improve education.

A caring parent does know their children's learning abilities and deserves a chance to select a program (school) they believe will help their child. We send our students to Intermediate Unit, Vo-Tech, local college classes and now charter schools for learning, which are all alternative education programs. It is not only about learning but also giving students direction in their skills.

Age: 36

Neighborhood of residence and number of years here: Resident of Hellertown Borough since July 2006

Do you have children in the district: Yes - three children

Relatives who work for the district?: Yes (a teacher at SV Middle School)

Political affiliation?: Registered Democrat

Education: BA, Haverford College; M.Ed., Lehigh University (expected 5/2011)

Profession/Work experience: Graduate student; Former Social Studies teacher, track & field coach, legal assistant, tutor

Community/Volunteer Organizations: Red Door Early Learning Center volunteer; Hellertown Library Trustee; Saucon Valley Elementary School class committee member; Saucon Valley Youth Sports Association

Any special qualifications?: I have a unique perspective because I am a parent and a former educator. This allows me to understand multiple aspects of critical issues.

I fear that student needs are overshadowed by a blind push to cut costs. Our students deserve a high quality education. If elected to the Saucon Valley School Board, I will find ways to trim costs without sacrificing the quality of education. The initial focus of cuts should be on non-instructional components of the district budget. I will listen to the parents and administration, and balance the needs of students with fiscal responsibility.

Age: 44

Neighborhood of residence and number of years here: Lower Saucon Township, 14 years

Do you have children in the district or relatives who work for the district?: I currently have three children in the Saucon Valley School District. My oldest daughter, Megan, is graduating this year. My son, Joseph, is a high school sophomore. My youngest daughter, Christina, is a sixth grade student in the middle school. I do not have any relatives that work for the district.

Political affiliation: Republican

Education: Lehigh University, B.S., Accounting, June 1988

Profession/Work experience: Certified Public Accountant - Price Waterhouse and KPMG Peat Marwick, June 1988 - Dec 1991; Corporate Internal Auditor - Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Dec. 1991 to Aug. 1993; Full time mother and community volunteer, June 1988 to March 2002; Accounting Consultant for Anders Inc. at Bethlehem Steel Corporation, March 2002 to May 2003; Independent Consultant at Arbonne International and Dun and Bradstreet, May 2003 to Dec 2005; Special Project Accountant - Moravian Hall Square Retirement Community, March 2006 to June 2007; Accountant - Britt's Tire Service Inc., May 2008 to present; Accountant - Glemser Technologies Corporation, Jan. 2011 to present

Community/Volunteer Organizations: Saucon Valley School District School Board Director, Dec. 2007 to present; SV Booster Club Treasurer, 2009 to present; founding member of the After School Workshop Elementary Program; SV Foundation for Educational Innovation, Board Trustee and founding member, 2007 to present; Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech School, Joint Committee Member, Dec. 2007 to present; volunteered prior to 2007 at various organizations including the Alzheimer's Association, Assumption BVM Church, Share Care, Hellertown Area Public Library, St. Theresa's Church, Catholic Social Agency and Country Meadows

Any special qualifications?: I am a parent with children in the school district where currently only three of the nine board members have children attending Saucon Valley schools. As a parent I participate in academic, athletic and band events and interact with students and parents where I gain valuable feedback and insight into the day to day operations of the district.

This year is my fourth year on the SVSD Board of Education. This means that I have participated in more than 120 meetings to discuss SVSD business and make decisions that impact the school district. Half of these meetings were confidential executive sessions that involve legal, personnel and contract negotiations. The other half were public board meetings where I made decisions regarding finances, facilities, education and personnel. This is the experience that I believe will most benefit the school district over the next four years if I am re-elected.

Secondary to this is my profession. I am an accountant and therefore familiar with budgets and accounting for revenues and expenditures. This understanding is very helpful when we discuss cost containment, operational efficiency and especially when we establish the budget each year.

Age: 73

Neighborhood of residence and number of years here: Resident of Hellertown and Lower Saucon for 44 years

Do you have children in the district or relatives who work for the district?: No

Political affiliation: Democrat (cross-filed)

Education: Graduate of Easton High School; B.A., Moravian College; M.A., Lehigh University

Profession/Work experience: Teacher, Assistant Principal, athletic coach for 36 years in the Saucon Valley School District.

Community/Volunteer Organizations: Member Saucon Valley Lions Club, delivered Meals on Wheels

As a member of the Saucon Valley School Board for six years, I have been able to operate a first class school district while providing the taxpayers with three consecutive years of a zero mill tax rate increase.

Age: 48

Neighborhood of residence and number of years here: Pheasant Run (Lower Saucon Township), 13 years

Do you have children in the district or relatives who work for the district?: Children - two attending Saucon Valley. No relatives employed by SVSD.

Political affiliation: Cross-filed

Education: MBA, Moravian College; B.S., DeSales University

Profession/Work experience: Work history includes sales management, project management and product management with AT&T and Computer Sciences Corp.

Community/Volunteer Organizations: Audit Committee, The Hillside School; Communications Committee, Musikfest (prior); MBA Advisory Board, Moravian College (prior)

Any special qualifications?: Participated as a community member in SVSD Board meetings since 2008. I am well aware of current issues and projects in SVSD. Parent of students attending Saucon Valley schools.

My business background is developing high tech projects with clients to advance their business. This requires innovative thinking, collaboration, and finding new solutions and opportunities. This is precisely the skill set needed for a school board member. I have a strong financial background, and understand the balance to deliver the best solution within a given budget.

Like other candidates, I am a taxpayer and have the same concern about rising taxes as all property owners. Unlike the majority of the candidates and current board members, I have children attending Saucon Valley schools and have a vested interest in maintaining the high standards that is a hallmark of Saucon Valley. A high performing school system benefits the entire community.

The current economy and uncertain state support for public education presents new challenges. The solutions for these challenges will be found when the board, administration, teachers, and community work together. I look forward to leading and participating in that partnership.

Age: 56

Neighborhood of residence and number of years here: Lower Saucon Township, 28 years

Do you have children in the district or relatives who work for the district?: No. (My three children have graduated from SVHS.)

Political affiliation: Republican

Education: B.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Delaware; MBA, Lehigh University

Profession/Work experience: Former engineer, AT&T; substitute teacher

Community/Volunteer Organizations: Saucon Valley School Director, 12 years; IU Director, eight years; CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), two years

Any special qualifications?: I am analytical and thorough. I am not afraid to ask questions, which is a very important component of checks and balances.

The Saucon Valley School Board should continue to be fiscally prudent, which has resulted in very responsible budgets during the last term. In fact, the past three years we have been able to maintain a zero tax increase while increasing the fund balance. The continued sustainability of our schools is very dependent on future contracts that we negotiate. This is approximately 70 percent of our budget. Salary increases and benefits need to be comparable to that in the private sector. Salary increases due to column movement for college courses beyond a master’s degree need to be limited. Accordingly, tuition reimbursement beyond a master’s degree needs to be examined as well. Retirement bonuses and benefits need to be on par with the community that pays the school taxes. Only through fiscal responsibility will we remain viable. We all need to work together to accomplish this.

Age: 52

Neighborhood of residence and number of years here: Hellertown, 22 years

Do you have children in the district or relatives who work for the district?: Two children have graduated from SVSD.

Political affiliation: Cross-filed

Education: Bachelor of Science in General Science, Penn State University

Profession/Work experience: Retired Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Naval Reserve. Bryan has had a successful career in sales since leaving active duty in the Navy. He was a partner in an automotive parts business for five years. Currently Bryan sells hardwood lumber and oak flooring for Weaber Inc., a hardwood mill in Lebanon, Pa.

Community/Volunteer Organizations: Past President of the Saucon Valley Jaycees and a Boy Scout Troop Committee member. Was active in the Saucon Special Needs Network, and in conjunction with Doug Weikert from IU 20 put on an in-service training for the entire Saucon teaching staff, two years in a row. Bryan also presented a shortened version in the Young Child Development Class for a couple of years at Saucon Valley High School.

Any special qualifications?: Concerned taxpayer.

We must get control of the costs of education. With exploding retirement costs and reduced state and federal funding, the board must get concessions from the teachers union on pay/benefits, to rein in future costs. Otherwise, the taxpayers face huge tax increases, or drastic cuts in educational programs, affecting our students. Neither of these choices is acceptable. It is imperative the board take a strong stance and Bryan Eichfeld vows to lead the way. Eichfeld proposes that the board insist on a two year wage freeze from administration, school staff and teachers. This needs to be part of the next union contract. Additionally, did you know that our teachers get paid to get two masters degrees and a doctorate? Each six credits gets them a pay bump. The next contract needs to limit this to two masters degrees. The taxpayers cannot afford to pay for college professors.