For the Boyertown Area School Board, there are eight candidates running for five available seats. Since all candidates have cross-filed in both the Democratic and Republican prrimaries, it is possible that every candidate could move on to the November election.
In the primary contest on May 19, voters will have the choice between two candidates for the seat in Region 1, four candidates for the two seats in Region 2 and in Region 3, there is no contest with two candidates for two seats.
Region 1Region 1 represents Bally and Bechtelsville boroughs, Colebrookdale, Earl and Washington townships. For the region, Wendy Moyer-Drabick is facing off against incumbent Christine Neiman. Moyer-Drabick is a Republican, cross-filed in both parties. She has lived in the district for 15 years, residing in Barto.
“I have two children in the district, in elementary and junior high, and I want to basically make sure that they have every opportunity that they possibly could have,” Moyer Drabick said.
As an accounting systems consultant, small business owner, treasurer for her church and the Boyertown YMCA and adjunct professor at Montgomery County Community College, she said she understands a number of roles within the school system. She said managing the budget is the most challenging issue facing the district right now, in the face of increased costs and limited funding.
Her opponent, Neiman, did not respond to requests for an interview.
Region 2There are two open seats in the region of the district that represents Boyertown, Douglass Township in Berks County and part of Douglass Township in Montgomery County. Incumbents Barbara Hartford and current Board President Stephen Elsier are being challenged by Clay Breece and Stephanie Dippolito.
Barbara Hartford has missed part of election season dealing with a family illness out of town. She has, however, been attending school board meetings via teleconference.
She has been on the board for 16 years and has served as Vice President and the Chair of the Finance Committee. On a candidate website, she said she “believes in continuing Boyertown’s tradition of providing an excellent education for the least amount of dollars.”
Stephen Elsier, a Republican, has been on the board for four years and is currently serving as the president. He has been working in business for more than 40 years and manages upwards of $70 million in revenues as a business consultant for McDonald’s.
Elsier said having kids in the district helps in keep in touch with what is going on and relevant inside the schools as well. He touched on the delicate balance the board maintains between fiscal responsibility and quality education.
“It is a critical time in public education, with the issues Harrisburg is trying to tackle, so hopefully people pay attention and vote,” Elsier said.
Clay Breece, a Republican, said he is running because the board showed gross irresponsibility in its vote to tear down the Boyertown Area Senior High. Since the vote was cast, community opinion has swayed the board to change the project to a renovation of the school.
“The very same people who voted for that, are deciding how this money is how to be spent. They already demonstrated irresponsible behavior. It doesn’t make sense to me,” Breece said. “There needs to be a cultural change on the board, and I think I’m going to get that support.”
Breece works in the marketing department for U-Haul. He said his skills in communication and personnel, as well as strong motivation and follow-through would make him as asset to the board.
Contact information for Dippolito was not available.
Region 3While there is no primary contest in Region 3, both candidates have been included in the election season fanfare. Incumbent Donna Usavage and newcomer David Lewis are on the ballot, each cross-filed in both parties. Region 3 represents part of Douglass Township in Montgomery County and New Hanover and Upper Frederick townships.
Donna Usavage, a Democrat, has been on the board for six years and will continue because she wants “to help us encourage the district to continue to find creative ways to continue to improve quality of education while facing increasing fiscal pressures form Harrisburg.”
Usavage has served as School Board President in 2013, Vice President in 2011, and Chair of The Personnel, Policy, and Suggestion Committees. She has worked for 26 years at Merck as a director in clinical trials analysis.
David Lewis, a business project leader for Global Advanced Metals in Boyertown, said he want to provide the best possible education and strong extracurriculars while keeping the district fiscally responsible.
Lewis said he would bring experience in planning and risk analysis to the board, and that he would like to increase awareness and participation from parents and residents to the activities of the school board and the district.
The primary election will take place on May 19.
