Highlands School Board: Region 1 — Large field for primary has 4 candidates seeking 2 positions

Editor’s note: A second installment of this story, featuring the Region 2 candidates, will appear in Friday’s edition. Region 3 will appear in Saturday’s edition. All three installments can be viewed online at TribLIVE.com.

The Highlands School District drew a large field of interest in the upcoming primary election with 11 people vying for five open seats across three regions.

In Region 1, there are four candidates seeking two positions, one of which was left open by longtime boardmember Judy Wisner’s decision to step down.

Candidates include three newcomers — Jenny Bosak, Christa Jones and Justin Kipp — along with incumbent Gene Witt. All are cross-filed as Democrats and Republicans.

Region 1 includes Fawn and most of Tarentum.

The Valley News Dispatch asked each candidate the same questions to give readers a chance to compare their positions. Here are the answers from the Region 1 candidates:

Why did you decide to run for election?

Bosak: “I decided to run to make a difference,” she said. “From bullying to communication within the district, it all needs addressed.

“I want to expand on ways to better the district with input from the community.”

Bosak said parents need to be in the loop.

“Holding administration accountable is a must,” she said. “Transparency is a must.”

Jones: “I want the board to look like the community,” she said. “I love my community, and I want all of our children to have the best education possible.”

Jones said she will be available to everyone to listen and lend support.

Kipp: “Being a taxpayer in this area for 30 years, I’ve seen a lot of changes in the district,” he said. “Some good, some bad.

“In my opinion, I feel it’s a good idea to have a constant flow of fresh faces, opinions and views, experiences and ideas to keep the district moving in the right direction. With the massive issues in today’s society, I am concerned that the right decisions are made in the best interests of the district and community.”

Witt: “For the same reason I ran in 2019: to ensure our students get the best education possible and our taxpayers get the best value for their dollars,” he said.

Witt said a group of candidates successfully ran together in 2019 on a platform of “change,” which had just gotten underway before it was stymied by covid for more than two years.

“Though the district performed admirably during covid, we were unable to make meaningful progress toward the district’s goals as planned,” he said. “I want to see things through to the finish.”

What are the biggest priorities facing the district?

Bosak: Bullying is one of the biggest issues at Highlands, she said.

“It starts from the top to the bottom. I want to help stop bullying from all angles in the district,” Bosak said.

“Creating programs for teachers and students is a start. Everyone needs a safe haven.”

Jones: The most significant issue is inclusion, she said.

“I want to make sure every child and family has a voice and place in the district,” she said.

Kipp: “With everyday challenges in society impacting our children, I think three main priorities should be upfront,” he said. “They are: giving all students the best education and opportunities at the highest level possible, no matter if they go to college or into the workforce, they need to be fully prepared; mental/physical safety for all students and staff; that the right decisions are made regarding the fair tax increases to the community and how the tax dollars are allocated throughout the district.

“Are we giving the taxpayers the value of education that we are charging them for?”

Witt: “The district continues to move in the right direction, but change occurs slowly in PA public schools,” he said.

Witt believes a lot of good is happening at Highlands that people should know about. He cited the Post-Secondary Pathways and Career & Workforce Readiness initiative that is based on students’ individual interests.

“As we exit the covid era, we need to continue to focus on engaging students through academics, athletics and extracurriculars. This will increase sense of community, improve attendance and academic performance and ultimately lead to better life outcomes for our students.”

Related

• Highlands School Board: Region 2 — Large primary field sees 3 newcomers vying for 1 seat
• Highlands School Board: Region 3 — field sees 4 vying for 2 seats

What qualities do you feel you bring to the position?

Bosak: A district volunteer for more than 10 years, Bosak said her heart is in the district.

“As someone who was bullied throughout their entire high school career, I’ll be able to relate to students and staff,” she said. “I’m bringing personal experience as a quality I feel the board needs to have.”

Jones: Jones said she will bring an open ear and mind.

“I would listen and make the best decision for the community,” she said.

Kipp: A 30-year business owner, he said he faces changing issues daily that include scheduling, safety, deadlines, budgeting and prioritizing where money needs to be spent, along with purchasing, handling subcontractors and multiple ongoing jobs at the same time.

“I feel I can help with insight on what employers are looking for in the workforce no matter what paths graduates decide to pursue,” he said. “Essentially, running a school district is running a business, and I hope my experiences as an owner — and working with a wide variety of people toward the same goals — can help.”

Witt: “In my day job, I evaluate situations and make timely decisions leading a multimillion-dollar department,” Witt said. “Similarly, the role of a school director, while not hands-on, relies heavily on analytical skills, weighing options and making sound decisions.”

Witt said it’s important at the school director level to have a variety of viewpoints, including people in business, because ultimately the district is in the business of educating students.

“As someone who has been a student, parent and grandparent, an employee, a business owner and a coach, I believe my life experience has been invaluable as a board member,” Witt said.