By: Ally Kaiser, Senior
Each public school district in Pennsylvania has a school board made up of nine voting members, and during January, schools celebrate School Director Recognition Month to honor these members. Our current members include Scott Freeman (Director), Robert Fumo (Director), Dawn Grochowiak (Director), James Hallowell (Director), David Haubert (Treasurer), Silvia LeBlanc (Director), Robert Musantry (President), James Ott (Director) and Shari VanderGast (Vice President). Although not a voting member of the Board, Deana Cronk serves as board secretary. Mr. Freeman, Mr. Hallowell, and Ms. LeBlanc serve the Bridgeton and Tinicum areas (Region I). Mr. Haubert, Dr. Ott, and Ms. VanderGast serve the Durham, Nockamixon and Riegelsville borough areas (Region II). Mr. Fumo, Ms. Grochowiak and Mr. Musantry serve the Springfield area (Region III). Director Hallowell has been participating on the School Board for 28 years, and President Musantry for eight years.
The School Board serves many purposes, all of which are meant to make the school district better for students and taxpayers alike. Specific jobs include adopting policies, voting on budgets, evaluating school security issues, reviewing facilities’ needs and approving the hiring of personnel. The Board also makes decisions about the programs and services we offer and approves textbooks and other classroom resources; they stay abreast of changing legislation related to school operations and initiatives. Although the position is unpaid, School Board Directors spend an average of 10 hours a month on school-related projects, according to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. Additionally, directors are elected every four years, with half of the Board being up for election every two years.
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Special recognition goes to Carol Clemens, who retired from the School Board in November 2019. She was a Director of the Palisades School Board for 32 years, spending most of that time as Board Secretary. She also served as a representative on the Bucks County Intermediate Unit’s Board and chaired the Educational Programs and Services sub-committee of the Board.
If you see any members of the Palisades School Board, be sure to thank them for all of their hard work.
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