The League of Women Voters of Lehigh County sponsored Meet the Candidates Night April 13 for Parkland School Board Directors at the high school.

"Basically, what happens is, when there is an election where there is a contest, when there are more people running than there are seats, we will hold an event like this," Mary Anne Rood, president of The League of Women Voters of Lehigh County said.

This year, Parkland School Board had eight candidates vying for five open seats.

Executive Director of Lehigh County Republican Committee Ben Long commented on the upcoming election.

"I'm excited," Long said. "I'm a product of the Parkland School District, so it's important to me we elect the best five candidates possible.

"Of course, I'd like it to be a Republican and I think we have a good group of Republicans running."

In addition to Rood, representing the League of Women Voters were Vice President Barbara Williams who served as moderator, board member Janet Little, who served as action chair and board member Margie Dunn who served as timer.

Prior to the question and answer session, each candidate provided a two-minute opening statement.

Lisa A. Adams, Bob Bold, Martin Brans, Carl Facchiano, David Kennedy and Jef Reyburn have cross-filed on the Democrat and Republican sides of the ticket.

Rochell Figueroa is running on the Democrat side of the ballot and David Caruth is on the Republican side of the ticket in the May 19 primary.

Lisa Adams said she is in her sixth year on the board. She has been a resident of the school district for 22 years.

Her three sons attended Parkland schools and she has served on the Community Advisory Council.

""Educating for Success; Inspiring Excellence" is our current mission statement," Adams said. "I firmly believe education is for everybody.

"That mission statement does not mean just the students. It means everyone: the community, the staff and the administrators.

"We need to have constant communication, and that is one of the things I most like to encourage in the district and would like to continue doing," Adams said.

This is Martin Brans' first time running for office.

Brans said he has spent more than 20 years of community non-profit service, currently serving as divisional director for all of Pennsylvania, half of Delaware and West Virginia for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

"I have two children, a fourth- and sixth-grade student here at Parkland," Brans said. "I am a great fan of the teachers and all the services our family has received as part of their education here at Parkland.

"I enjoy being in the public sector in what I do; and what I see locally .

"It's quite simple, I'm an advocate for the teachers, the students and taxpayers in the Parkland School District.

If I'm elected to the board, I plan to work closely to continue working with teachers first as an advocate for them, for the students and the taxpayers," Brans said.

Carol Facchiano has three children in the district.

According to Facchiano, who is an accountant, for the past 25 years, since her son began kindergarten, she has been heavily involved in all aspects of the school community from the PTO to the head of the post-prom committee.

"I think throughout the years, what gave me the most knowledge of the district or the best exposure to be qualified for this position on the school board is my involvement with the Community Advisory Board," Facchiano said. "It has given me, for the past six years, a wealth of knowledge of the district.

"It's amazing. You get to better understand every aspect that goes into running the Parkland School District.

"With the support of the voters and the taxpayers, I think I would be a tremendous addition to the Parkland School Board.

"I want to continue with Parkland, giving back what I've received for my children and what I've received as a parent in the district, and I want to make sure I continue that for the children in the future."

Rochell Figueroa from Allentown now resides in Parkland. Previously a paraprofessional with the Allentown School District, she now works as an operator for Lanta.

"I appreciate working with children," Figueroa said. "I believe that knowledge is power.

"It is our job to educate and help the students understand how important knowledge is and how powerful it can be in order to strive for success.

"I've worked in the Allentown School District as a paraprofessional and I've learned how important one-on-one is.

"I believe with the collaboration of the school board and the teachers together, we can keep this school district positive and safe for our students."

David Kennedy has been on the school board for 18 years and currently serves as vice president.

He is also chairman of the Joint Operating Committee at Lehigh Carbon Technical Institute.

He has two children educated in the district.

Kennedy commented on his intentions.

"I have chaired all three committees on the school board, personnel and finance, education and athletics, building and grounds," Kennedy said. Four years ago, I retired from the printing industry and since that time, I have had the opportunity to substitute teach for three local school districts.

"Coming in from that aspect has given me a tremendous insight into what teachers, support staff and administrators go through on a daily basis, as I've been involved in all three of those aspects as a substitute teacher.

"I've always questioned the spending of the school district and will continue to do so.

"A major concern is the rising costs that we face here at Parkland School District, as do other districts. I will continue to support strong programs in the arts, athletics and certainly academics.

"No program has been cut while continuing to balance the budget with minimal tax increases."

Jef Reyburn is rounding out his first term on the school board. He has served on three committees, personnel and finance, education and athletics, building and grounds.

He has been in business more than 23 years and is a youth sports coach.

"One of the things to me that is just overwhelming is that when I ran for school board the last term, there weren't that many candidates interested in serving at that point in time, at least it didn't seem that way, and to me this is a testament to each of the individuals here to do that," Reyburn said.

"Part of the reason that I got involved was fulfilling my responsibility of getting involved.

"I'm seeking re-election primarily because I think it's very important we maintain a diverse board of directors who have varying backgrounds and experiences and are at varying points in life, whether having had children or currently having children in the district.

I have three children and am fortunate enough I have the best inside information.

"I have a daughter at the elementary level, a son in the middle school next year, and a son who will be at the high school level this year.

"So, for them and for all the kids, I believe that's what it's about., and ask to be able to continue that opportunity."

Neither Bob Bold nor David Caruth attended the Candidates Night.

Caruth, however, provided a statement, which was read by Williams.

"The right curriculum and having a safe learning environment are two strong components to provide success," Caruth wrote. "However, fiscal responsibility is the one that also needs strong attention, as it is paramount to ensure each dollar is wisely spent, benefitting students first and foremost.

"Therefore, I will vote against wasteful spending and offer my corporate experience in budget balancing to ensure any financial investments we make have a fruitful return."

Each of the six candidates present had one minute to address questions submitted by the audience.

What do you see as a major challenge the school district faces?

Kennedy: "Unfunded mandates coming from the state and federal government. When you're hit with unfunded mandates constantly and with no alternative but to put them in place....we continue monitoring those. We continue to need strong legislative leaders to help the school district."

Reyburn: "Changing demographics and keeping up with providing comprehensive education programs for each and every student certainly creates challenges for our administration and teachers. I think all of us would probably agree without our teachers, educating for success wouldn't be possible."

What do you think are the school board's goals and responsibilities?

Figueroa: "I would like to be able to see diversity on the school board. Yes, it is a learning curve for me. This is my first time ever running for a school board, but I just want to help out in any way possible. That's what I can do for Parkland School District."

Adams: "We do policy and budget, but we do trust. We listen. The administration makes the decisions, but they come to us and we do approve them at meetings. The issues are vetted. We do look at things. We do make recommendations, but like I said, it's that whole team concept that's the most important for the school board."

Brans: "We do have to hire the best of the best. I think that only inspires the students to grow beyond what they believe their capabilities are and for teachers to see value in the students that are in their class every day, to be ahead of the curve in terms of technology, resources, extra curricular activities, I think it all provides a well-rounded education; and No. 1 to be a strong advocate for teachers."

Facchiano: "I'm going to quote some things I found on the Internet. These are all characteristics I think are important for anyone running for school board. One is clear vision. I feel I have clear vision because I've been involved. Second is communication. We need to communicate with the community the decisions we are making and why they are being made. Third, work as a team. We are not just a team of nine, we are representative of the entire school district. Fourth, develop a fiscally sound budget. This is huge and of course everyone wants to know we are making the best decisions. Finally, focus on what's best for all students and be an advocate for students at the state level."