The BASD school board March 16 interviewed Winston C. Alozie, Basilio A. Bonilla Jr. and Sam Hopp, Ph.D., for the Region 1 seat recently vacated by Rogelio Ortiz. The board also reviewed the 2020-21 budgets from Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech (BAVTS), Northampton Community College (NCC), and Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 (IU20).

The Bethlehem Press attended this meeting virtually, via GoToMeeting set up by CTO Marie Bachman, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The budget documents were provided online, as the respective leaders were unable to attend the meeting. All board members except Ortiz were present.

Winston Alozie, who attended the meeting in person, is the CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem, where he previously served as a program director; he has also been an after- school coordinator at Communities in Schools of the Lehigh Valley. He is a 2010 graduate of Edinboro University of Pa. Selections from his responses to questions from the board are below:

• On why he’s a strong candidate: “I’m a proud product of the district [Broughal MS and Freedom HS]. The formative experiences I’ve had have propelled me to a place […] where I owe a lot of that to the district. I also work with a lot of young people in the area.”

• On the role of a school board member: “Outside of being an arm of the administration in getting things done on behalf of the district, a big portion of the job is communicating effectively and transparently the initiatives the school district is doing, to the community at large, which is something I’m very passionate about […] and to make sure that all the parts of our district, and all those who are invested in our district, have a sense of cohesion and support […] understanding that when you take this position, you sign your name to support what we’re doing, and the students that we serve.”

• On the characteristics of a successful relationship between the board and the superintendent: “I believe in being a supporter, and not a ‘yes man.’ I firmly believe in being behind the initiatives – a school board member should be someone who’s understanding and knowledgeable about the work being done, and being willing to learn – and in relation to the superintendent, to be an agent to help get things done, but also a person willing to challenge… Not that you don’t see the vision, but if he sees the vision, we have to straighten out the map.”

• On BASD’s greatest assets: “The kids. It’s all about the kids. They are the largest population that we serve, why we do what we do […] I think it’s a weighty responsibility, but I’m looking forward to being a part of this, if you choose to select me.

“One of our main challenges is a degree of understanding of the differences in race, socioeconomic status… Dr. Roy’s and the district’s work on equity is important, and I think that’s a conversation that always has to happen. There are many people who are hurt when they hear things that challenge their view of the world […] I think that challenge is a big hill for us to climb, and I’m a believer that there’s not a summit at the top – the work is the journey, and being understanding during the journey that we’re on.”

• On fair funding, charter schools, and fiscal challenges: “I know that charter school funding takes away some of the funding that we receive. I find that charter schools are oftentimes seen as a way out for certain people – sometimes a way for folks not to have to deal with ‘the other’ in the room, and also a way that families of color are pulled away from schools and into situations where they are not receiving the resources that they would [in a district school], in special education or regular education. There’s a lot of work to be done there, and we could be more vocal and more strategic in how we address our partners in education – the charter schools.”

• On standout district initiatives and his perceptions of them: “I’ve been on the superintendent’s task force for diversity (equity and excellence committee) since 2011-12, and I know we’re very passionate about it. I’m aware of the technology initiative, which has been rolled out beautifully. A lot of kids with whom I work are of lower socioeconomic status, and there is a digital divide, but seeing the great work our district has done – I think it’s a model that other districts should follow.”

• On the role school directors play at state and federal level: “Advocacy. It is a school board’s role to be available to advocate for the needs of their district, especially the most disenfranchised and the most vulnerable. Whether we’re advocating for our teachers or our facilities, at the end of the day, it’s for the kids. Supporting initiatives that do well for our kids.”

• On balancing educational needs with property tax burdens: “I’m a very recent property owner as of last month. I am starting to understand why some folks have some qualms, but that comes down to communication. Outside of my work, I’m very involved in church work [and a bishop told me] that people want to see their money go to something important. There’s a balance, and we need to communicate that this is a need, and it’s necessary. There will be times when I’ll need to go and tell our constituents, This is what it’s for, and that’s the role of being that fiscal agent, really articulating for the public what the need is. When people hear the need behind it, the dollar signs are not as big of a challenge.”

• Final remarks: “I am very honored and somewhat even flattered to be here in front of you […] and I want you to understand that whether I’m a candidate or not, the work that this board does is of great importance, and the kids I see every day really lean and depend on this district, and I’m very proud of the fact that this district is proactive on so many levels.”

Dr. Sam Hopp, present at the meeting in person, is a consultant with Step by Step Learning, the literacy coaching firm BASD uses for its Reading by Grade 3 (RBG3) initiative. He has taught English as a second language in the U.S. and abroad, and spent nearly four years in the U.S. Air Force. He earned his Ph.D. from Lehigh University in comparative and international education.

• On why he’s a strong candidate: “My background is quite diverse. All of the places I’ve tried to make my mark have to do with difficult things, and doing the most with the least: my military experience, going to survival school and learning to stay alive in the Alaskan wilderness on one survival pack.”

• On the role of a school board member: “The biggest responsibility is fiscal responsibility, and also decision-making responsibility, and they go hand in hand. There’s never enough to do what you want, but you have to make sure you have enough to do what you need. The primary role of a school board member is to be part of the process that allows the best outcomes for the students.”

• On the relationship between the school board and the superintendent: “The most important thing is open communication, that we have consistent, ongoing dialogues about what’s coming, so that we’re not in a reactionary mode. We have to view this as a partnership, with the understanding that we have distinct responsibilities, and know where they begin and end.”

• On BASD’s greatest assets: “There are so many. [Described moving to the Lehigh Valley, and not knowing whether he would commit his family to the area.] The opportunities that my son has had, since being here in Bethlehem, have changed his life. The community itself is a major piece of that puzzle – we live on the Southside – and he has a lot of opportunities because of the teachers that are dedicated to him, and the responsibilities placed on him are one of the greatest assets for him.”

• On the main challenges for BASD: “In the 21st century, there are so many things going on. I was compiling stats, and looking at our demographics, and I see that there’s still a distinct gap in the achievements of students from economically challenged backgrounds, and students of color. By 2042, we are going to be a majority [racial] minority nation, and in Bethlehem we already are. We are behind, in this country, in having enough people with bachelor’s degrees to do the work that’s needed. We need to grow the opportunities for our students. The biggest challenge is looking at who our students are, understanding the challenges that they bring every day, and providing them the opportunity that everybody graduates, and everybody can pursue higher education.”

• On fair funding, charter schools, and fiscal challenges: “I put my son into a charter school for his fifth-grade year, because he wanted to try a special curriculum. He enjoyed it and did well in it. The biggest thing we need to look at for reform is that we need to have an equal playing field, and equal expectations. Understanding that we have them in the district, and we’re likely going to have them for a long time, making the fiscal choices that balance the charters and the standard public [schools]. We want them all to succeed. Wherever a child goes to school, their success is the end goal.”

• On standout district initiatives and his perceptions of them: “I’m directly involved in the Reading by Grade 3 initiative. I work with it every day. It’s been really something that has seeped more into the community, with the United Way doing the reading-at-home program, and one of the important things we’re doing is reaching back further and further, and starting that reading idea when children are still at home. And that initiative is going to bear some fruit. We still have the same challenges in the district, to make sure all the students are moving toward that goal. I think we can do even more things with the community that are like this initiative, and we’ll give every kid a little bit more of that kick-start, if you will, to get ready even before they enter that classroom.”

• On the role school directors play at state and federal level: “To be the conduit from the federal level to the local level, having the conversation about getting those funds, and being factual about how we get that data. On the state level, I think we take that into a more local concept… Making sure we speak the same language, but understanding what the state is trying to accomplish. There’s a challenge in aligning the Keystones with every student’s curriculum. We have to be able to take that message to the state, and to show that when we do [certain things], our outcomes can be better.”

• On balancing educational needs with property tax burdens: “I think that’s the biggest challenge we have. I have a philosophy about education: If you give every kid academics, art and athletics, that’s when you get a lot of traction. Doing more with less is the trick. Communicating with the community about what we do with the money, and what value it brings, is a big thing we can do to get the community really connected with what we’re doing. Having passionate coaches, teachers, and after school activities […] these things do work.”

• Final remarks: “I think, with everything we’re doing, we have the opportunity to magnify it. We’ll have more and more of these kids coming from different places, and that’s going to make Bethlehem as good as it can be.”

Basilio Bonilla Jr., who was a member of the BASD school board from December 2011 through December 2015, has held a variety of local political offices and is currently on the LGBT advisory board for the Democratic National Committee (DNC). He received a B.A. in political science and government from Moravian College. He attended via phone, and responded to the same questions as the other candidates.

• On why he’s a strong candidate: “[Referred to his prior experience on the board] I’d like to begin by saying that having been in your seats in the past, I would like to thank you for what you do for the district. I am currently an administrative assistant at Lehigh Valley Counseling. I’ve dealt with individuals who have different types of mental disabilities, and I have an understanding of how to work with people who are working through a variety of issues.”

• On the role of a school board member: “To make sure that our district is allocating money appropriately, to be sure the students have a safe environment in which to learn, and to support the superintendent to make sure he and our teachers have all the support they need.”

• On the relationship between the school board and the superintendent: “Definitely communication is one of the ones I’ve learned. Board members need to understand that communication with one another and the superintendent is extremely important. Rather than going in the public and making statements, things can be addressed [privately].”

• On BASD’s greatest assets: “Our amazing music department –Patriot band, Grenadier band, phenomenal arts departments – and our tremendous technology program that enables cyber learning. Also, getting to know other cultures of our very culturally rich district.”

• On the main challenges for BASD: “Charter schools, and students leaving our district. It’s not a level playing field; students are not always better off going to charter schools; and the funding isn’t equitable. Another issue is, as always, PSERS contributions and the challenge of working within our budget.”

• On fair funding, charter schools, and fiscal challenges: “Funding based on the per-student metrics […] We have no say on what the charter schools spend our taxes on, and these entities are not in the best interests of our students.”

• On standout district initiatives and his perceptions of them: “The district’s complete rebranding, being ‘Built by Bethlehem’ and [BASD proud] shows our district as rooted in our community. You’re always proud to be from where you came from.”

• On the role school directors play at state and federal level: “We’re at the forefront, representing our district and our taxpayers. We’ve been out there pushing for charter school reform, and meeting with state legislators to make sure we’re doing all we can, not only about PSSAs and inequities related to Keystone exams, but also funding issues.”

• On balancing educational needs with property tax burdens: “School board members don’t always want to raise taxes, but it is our job to make sure our students are getting equitable education, and doing what’s best for our students, the future of our community.”

• Final remarks: “I had the privilege and honor of serving on the school board about five years ago. I will not hide the fact that [my tenure on the school board ended tumultuously]. I am determined not to be defined by my mistakes. Looking back on my time on the school board, I am most proud of my tireless advocacy for all of our students, regardless of gender, ethnic background or sexuality. […] As the uncle of a child with profound disabilities, I firmly believe that each student, regardless of disabilities, has much to offer our community. I believe Bethlehem has a bright future, and the potential of our students is limitless. We must come together in our belief that all children deserve a safe learning environment. […] It is my goal to ensure that our tax dollars are spent where they are needed most, in our classrooms.”

The board was scheduled to vote to appoint one of these candidates March 23. See story below.

The BAVTS budget proposed by Executive Director Adam Lazarchak totals nearly $13 million, with BASD responsible for $730,000. Nazareth ASD and Saucon Valley SD also participate in funding BAVTS. An additional $2.1 million is budgeted to come from state funds, and $301,000 from federal sources. BASD has the highest participation over the past three school years, with an average of 894 students per year taking part in BAVTS instruction, compared with 271 for NASD and 74 for SVSD.

The NCC budget of $76.6 million submitted by Dr. Mark Erickson includes an “Educational and Supportive” component – into which BASD pays – that increased by 3.45 percent over last year’s budget and a capital component that decreased by nearly a million dollars. BASD’s projected contribution of roughly $6.5 million is an increase of 1.27 percent over last year. NCC projects that nearly 7,600 students will enroll in credit programs full-time next year, as well just over 900 non-credit, full-time students. In-county tuition will increase 4.64 percent.

The IU20 budget given to the board by Executive Director Dr. Christopher Wolfel includes services provided through four divisions: educational support, curriculum, HR and research, and instructional materials. The general operating budget of $3.6 million (2.4 percent larger than the previous year) includes contributions from 13 school districts, including Bethlehem. IU20 is the eighth-largest IU in the state, with 86,000 students in the region it covers. It provides itinerant services to students in their home schools, as well as full-time services through a variety of delivery mechanisms, including BASD’s cyber academy. The school district withholding amount required by state law is BASD’s only mandated payment to IU20, and is proposed at $5,572 for 2020-21, an increase of 1 percent over the prior year.

Although the individuals who prepared the budgets were not present, board member Craig Neiman noted that all board members are available to discuss them, and invited the public to contact board secretary Stacy Gober with questions. All items can be seen at https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/beth/Board.nsf/ (BoardDocs).