The following candidates are on the ballot:

•Director - 4-year term - vote for four

Democrat Melissa Stiavelli

“The number one issue I have been hearing from voters is fiscal responsibility. Families in our community are managing higher costs overall and expect the school district to be equally careful with taxpayer dollars. We need to make smart, transparent decisions that focus on delivering the best results for students while keeping taxes as stable as possible. That means prioritizing programs that directly impact learning, maintaining strong academic and extracurricular offerings and ensuring we’re getting maximum value for every dollar spent.

“With my background in business, I know how to evaluate capital and operational investments, set clear priorities and plan strategically for the future. Strong financial stewardship is what allows East Penn to pay competitive salaries, keep our buildings safe and well-maintained and support high-quality education without putting extra strain on families.

“Voters want responsible leadership and that’s exactly the approach I will bring to the East Penn School Board.”

Democrat Christine Price

“Families, educators and community members have many meaningful concerns about the education of our children in the district, from safety, to learning critical thinking skills, to feeling a sense of belonging. While these are all very important, I think currently the top issue on many voters’ minds is the proposed realignment plan.

“The current budget predictions are over 40% higher than originally anticipated, which is largely why the plan is halted. Most significant to me is the overall impact of these financial plans and how it could jeopardize the district’s future ability to prioritize the quality of our programs and funding our educators, because our hands could be tied by the debt we take on.

“If I am elected, I will work diligently with the board to find a way forward that keeps our values and our mission in mind – which has students’ learning and well-being at the forefront.”

Democrat Rita Perez

“The recently paused realignment plan has rightly caused a lot of concern and discussion, but I view it as a sign of a bigger issue. The East Penn School District does not have a strategic plan. School board members need to look closely not just at the agenda items presented to them, but also at how and why those plans were created. Without a strategic plan, decisions about policies, spending and hiring can feel rushed or disconnected from the district’s long-term goals and the community’s needs.

“As a school board director, I believe my role is to ask important questions, ensure every decision supports a broader vision and keep the community informed. If elected, I am committed to working with my fellow board members and the administration to create a road map that puts students first and reflects what our community values most. Contact information: ritaperez4eastpenn@gmail.com.”

Democrat/Republican William Whitney

“As the recent conversations on the (now paused) realignment-based facilities plan for the East Penn School District showed, our community is divided on the use of tax dollars to address challenges in our schools around enrollment capacity and student equity. The reality, though, is that some annual tax increases are needed to keep our district operational, to say nothing of generating revenue for needed renovations, new learning spaces. etc.

“So the number one issue facing EPSD voters is: What kind of schools do we want for our children? If we want schools that incorporate the latest technologies and teaching strategies to prepare our learners for future careers and communities, that is a cost taxpayers must bear. Increasing community involvement, then, has become a vital element of East Penn’s strategy and we must have the support and alignment of families and residents in order to make us a world-class district.”

Republican Michael Felegy

“The No 1. issue for the voters is the constant tax increases that they feel are driving them out of the district, especially those on a low and/or fixed income. The current redistricting/realignment plan, which I voted to pause for re-evaluation of implementation, would have seen an increase in taxes to the Act 1 index for the foreseeable future thus taxing many residents out of their homes.

“We need to be able to create a long-term sustainable budget which gives the best resources to our students and teachers for academic success, without taxing our residents out of their homes.

“I would greatly appreciate your vote. If you look at my voting record, I have not once voted to increase taxes to the maximum Act 1 index allowed.”

Republican Paul Barbehenn

“The biggest issue facing the East Penn School District is the K-8 realignment plan – and I would vote no as currently presented. What began as a $66 million concept with no new debt has exploded to nearly $100 million, requiring the maximum allowable tax increases for the foreseeable future, taking on $120 million of debt and leaving no clear path to address the high school.

“I have been clear that this creates unnecessary fiscal stress and is not unsustainable. While I support the goal of equitable learning environments, this plan overspends, overextends and overburdens taxpayers. We need to develop a more affordable, phased approach that meets student needs without exhausting our financial capacity. We can and must do better for both students and taxpayers.”

Republican Alicia Du Plooy