There are six candidates for the office of school board director. Voters are asked to choose four.

Democrat/Republican: Alisa Bowman

Democrat/Republican: Michael Felegy

Democrat/Republican: Adam Smith

Democrat/Republican: Bill Whitney

Democrat/Republican: Naomi Winch

Republican: Chad Flakker

Issue

The candidates for school board director were asked to respond to the following question in 100 words or less: Why did you decide to run for office?

Alicia Bowman

In 2016, as a parent of an EPSD student, I could see how the district excelled in many areas, but also that there was room for improvement. That’s why I ran for my first term on the board, where I voted for measures like universal full-day kindergarten, updated reading resources and additional tax relief for our low income residents. But there’s still more to do. My second term will be my last, and I will use it to address learning gaps and support robust educational options that serve our entire student community.

Adam Smith

My decision to run for reelection began four years ago with a platform advocating for expanded student learning opportunities. Shortly after my election, universal full-day kindergarten was approved for the 2018-2019 school year. Despite that expansion, East Penn marked its most efficient two-year fiscal period ever, beginning with a zero-percent tax increase in 2019. I am running to focus again on expanding opportunities for students while maintaining the efficient use of tax dollars. In the upcoming months, I will continue conversations to safely return to traditional instruction, define strategies to restore critical learning loss and address students’ mental health needs.

Bill Whitney

The next few years are a crucially important time for our schools, and I bring a core belief that as our schools go, so go our communities. I want to be on the team that will help our students re-acclimate after the pandemic, and help them use the lessons from this time to challenge and improve the society that they will soon inherit. I believe that representing all students and families, regardless of their economic situation or cultural/ethnic background, is vital, as is supporting our teachers, staff, administrators, families and students.

Chad Flakker

I am single, with shared custody 50/50 to my most amazing 9-year-old son. My son has autism and currently does not speak. He does not pay attention to screens and needs in-person therapy. When the school closings came, my son lost in-person therapy, the mask “mandate” happened. Then the additional two weeks off for Thanksgiving with no evidence. My son lost close to nine months of therapy. Something had to be done. My son, along with every other child is being left behind.

Michael Felegy

Efforts to reach Felegy were unsuccessful.

Naomi Winch

Efforts to reach Winch were unsuccessful.