5 candidates compete for 4 seats on Exeter School Board
Oct. 18—Five candidates are vying for four seats on the Exeter School Board in the November election.
Four of the candidates — Jason Mell, Andrea Battler, Timothy Morgan and Julia J. Shaffer — have cross-filed and will appear on the ballot as both Democrats and Republicans. The fifth candidate, Theodore J. Gardella, is running as a member of the Libertarian Party.
All five candidates would be newcomers to the board.
School board members serve four-year terms.
We asked the candidates to respond to two questions:
Question 1: Why do you believe you are the right person for this position?
Question 2: What are the most important issues facing the school district right now, and how do you plan to address them?
Jason Mell, 41, Exeter Township.
Party: Democrat/Republican.
Background: Mell is a software engineering manager with a master's degree in information systems from Drexel University. He serves as a planning commissioner for Exeter Township and is the former owner of the online news site The Exeter Informant. He also served on other community boards including the Exeter Community Library and the Exeter Youth Soccer Association.
Website: www.jasonmell.com
Response 1: I'm active in the community. I've spent over six years reviewing and reporting on Exeter School Board meetings while I was the owner and editor of The Exeter Informant — the online news site that served the community from 2014 to 2020.
During that time, I've learned a lot about school board governance. I know the history as well as the challenges the district continues to face.
In addition, I've served as a planning commissioner for Exeter Township since 2019. In the position, I've gained a wealth of knowledge concerning land development and zoning and I believe my current work with municipal government is a great asset to the school board.
Response 2: Financial stability in the district is a high priority issue for many. The tax burden has weighed heavily on our residents for too long. To address it, we can seek cuts where possible, but we also need to explore ways to increase revenue beyond property tax. We also need to put more pressure on our elected state officials to demand equitable funding.
Academic proficiency scores and graduation rates have also come under the spotlight recently for the district. As school directors, we need to find ways to support the administration and their comprehensive plan to tackle both falling metrics.
Lastly, we're still recovering from the pandemic. Learning loss and navigating work through quarantines are still issues facing our students. I would work with the administration to provide a detailed plan on how these problems are being addressed.
Theodore Gardella, 62, Exeter Township
Party: Libertarian.
Background: I have over 35 years of experience in public education, including serving as a superintendent, textbook author and professional development consultant in mathematics. Both of my parents were longtime teachers, and my brother is a professor at SUNY Buffalo.
Response 1: Exeter Township schools are at a crisis point. Student proficiency in reading and mathematics and high school graduation rates are unacceptably low, despite a budget that spends over $21,000 per student per year. The current board seems unable to ask critical questions about improving student achievement and has no experience in analyzing data and research to help the administration develop strategies that will actually work. I bring decades of direct experience in schools, and a proven track record of increasing achievement while decreasing budgets. I will work for the community, not for specific limited constituencies.
Response 2: There are four critical issues: improving academic achievement, increasing fiscal responsibility, improving board transparency and increasing accountability. I plan to help guide the implementation of evidence-based strategies that increase achievement, advocate for zero-based budgeting that examines the return on investment of expenditures, institute regular public input sessions for the board and research and implement an accountability system that allows parents and the community to truly compare year-over-year performance.
Timothy Morgan, 43, Exeter Township.
Party: Democrat/Republican.
Background: Morgan is a registered nurse who spent 12 years in working in hospitals and for the last 10 years he's been in medical device sales. He resides in Exeter with his wife and three children and is active in the community through Scouting, baseball, church and various other activities that his children take advantage of in the township and district. They have lived in Exeter Township for 15 years.
Website: timmorganforexeterschoolboard.wordpress.com
Response 1: Choosing to run for school board in Exeter has been a privilege. I have had the opportunity to speak with so many residents within the district and listen to what their concerns are, what visions they see and why they love our community.
I think when asked why I would be the right person it simply comes down to finding common denominators. We need to continue to listen to our community and find what brings us together. How do we identify strengths and make them stronger? How do we identify weaknesses and turn them into something positive?
Developing a culture where students, employees, administrators, school directors and the community come together under the same common goal will drive success. I hope that I can be one of the parts that helps us to mold where we want to go and be part of the success that will take all of us to achieve.
Response 2: The school district needs to put continued focus on education, fiscal responsibility and safety.
Working directly with school administrators on their goals and assisting to see them through is a big part of this. Fiscal responsibility also needs to be addressed on a continuum. Making sure that we have the materials and employees we need is important to our success. That said, we also need to make sure we are spending on the right things and not overspending on things that do not lead to our goals or are unnecessary.
Finally, making sure that everyone on campus or being transported through the district is safe at all times is imperative. We need to continue to get back to normal, keep our schools open and provide a positive learning environment. As the district develops a plan for educational success, which is inclusive of academics, extracurriculars, arts and athletics, we must make sure that everything we do is with the mindset of reaching our goals, together as one community.
Andrea Battler, 40, Exeter Township.
Party: Democrat/Republican.
Background: I have been a local pharmacist and immunizer for the past 15 years. I received my doctorate of pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh. I graduated valedictorian of my senior class and take education seriously. I am a mother of two in the Exeter School District. My volunteer work encompasses charity, school and sports functions.
Website: shorturl.at/bqAH3
Response 1: My husband and I moved to Exeter in 2007 and decided to remain there in 2014 before our daughter started kindergarten with a focus on the educational system. We felt that Exeter had a solid foundation and a lot to offer any child who attended the district.
I understand from homeschooling my own children during the pandemic how difficult the role of a teacher is. I have been blessed beyond measure with great teachers and support staff for both of my children every step of the way, and I have found ways to help others with similar issues.
My hope is that by being a member of the school board, I will be able to connect even more with the community as well as the teachers, staff and administrators and help to find solutions to our ever growing educational needs. I have never been afraid to speak up, ask questions or generate discussions to facilitate growth.
Response 2: We currently face many challenges as a school district. The pandemic, change in leadership, restructuring of school personnel and other factors have led to a feeling of discontent in our community. I want to address each issue head on. I plan to do my due diligence by looking into each issue, evaluating the root cause, and working with teachers, personnel, administrators and school board members to come up with obtainable goals.
My goal is to be transparent, open and honest. I feel the number one issue that needs to be addressed in our school community is communication. I will actively listen to anyone who has a concern and will do everything in my power to resolve it. I believe in the power of the strand of three. In education, the teacher, student and parents work together toward a common goal. Communication to and amongst all three is paramount to a successful school system. I hope I can be your voice.
Julia J. Shaffer, 44, Exeter Township.
Party: Democrat/Republican.
Website: facebook.com/jjshaffer1996
Background: Shaffer and her husband, Justin, are both Exeter High School graduates who have four children striving to do the same. She is a student as well, on track to graduate from Keystone College in January. She has worked in the insurance industry for almost 18 years with a focus on workers' compensation. Over the last five years, she has dedicated her time to Schwarzwald U.C.C. Preschool developing policies and procedures for day-to-day operations and introducing new activities. She also serves on the Exeter Cares Student Outreach subcommittee.
Response 1: As an alumni and parent of four students, witnessing the failures and success in our district over the year, now more than ever, we need to focus on enhancing the success of our students and increasing the morale in our district.
I want to be an advocate for all students and families to ensure every child receives an equitable and engaging education that supports their individual needs and encourages growth and learning to achieve academic success. I will engage with the community and work to improve relationships and to restore a sense of inclusion.
I want to motivate parents and community members to be more involved with positive engagements to enhance trust, transparency, communication and accountability which our community desires and deserves. I will help improve the fiscal health of the district and support cost containment efforts to alleviate tax burden on our community. I want to see Exeter flourish and become a high-achieving district providing a quality education for current and future students.
Response 2: Students should be at the forefront of all decisions and policies an administration and school board make. It is my goal to ensure decisions support the academic success of students. That teachers and staff have the necessary resources and support to guarantee students have an equal opportunity to achieve academic success.
The community currently feels undervalued and unheard, creating a negative climate. I am a firm believer that a strong district is only as strong as its community. We need to re-establish positive relationships and regain trust and confidence in the board and administration. We need to develop a community strategy to enhance communication, accountability and transparency. The administration has made strides to improve communication. I will work to bring more collaborative opportunities as the success of our students requires support from all stakeholders, to come together and work effectively and collaboratively to support them.
