Pennsylvania voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 16, to elect candidates for municipal and county office and school boards. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Here’s a look at some of the candidates on the ballot.
Twin Valley School Board Region 1
Deanna Herman, Birdsboro, cross filing Democrat & Republican, 4 year term
Jeffrey Horrocks, Elverson, cross filing Democrat & Republican, 4 year term
Twin Valley School Board Region 2
Sandra Deemer, Morgantown, cross filing Democrat & Republican, 4 year term
Carole Jo Chappelle, Elverson, Republican, 4 year term
Stephen J. Rucci, Republican, 4 year term
Twin Valley School Board Region 3
Gary R McEwen, cross filing Democrat & Republican, 4 year term
Christopher Koller, cross filing Democrat & Republican, 2 year term
John Burdy, cross filing Democrat & Republican, 2 year term
Deanna Herman
I am a native of Berks County, and graduated from Schuylkill Valley School District in 1990. I then attended Penn State, graduating with a B.S. in Environmental Resource Management. In 2001, I completed my Master’s in Business Administration from LaSalle University. Together, my husband and I are raising two wonderful daughters. Our daughters have been students in the Twin Valley schools since Kindergarten, and today are at the middle school and high school. Even prior to having children, I was involved in the school as a volunteer community member on the curriculum planning committee.
When my children were still in elementary school, I was a member of the REC PTO, eventually serving as the Treasurer for two years. I have volunteered with the Music Boosters, and most recently have been the volunteer score keeper, announcer, and Team Mom for the ladies’ volleyball team.
I have spent many years as an Environment, Health, and Safety professional, and currently am a Safety Consultant for an insurance broker. One of the best parts of my job is the opportunity to provide training and education to our clients and empower them to ensure that their workplaces are safe and healthy for themselves and their coworkers.
What do I hope to accomplish? School Directors have the difficult task of balancing the needs of the school with limited state and federal funding, unfunded government mandates, and accountability to local tax payers all while ensuring that our students build a foundation of strong, valuable skills.
My goal is very simple: To strike a balance to ensure ALL Students in the Twin Valley School District receive the best educational experience possible while fulfilling our obligation to the taxpayers to ensure our resources are utilized in the most effective manner possible.
I had the benefit of an excellent public school education, and believe that public education has the power to transform lives and create a strong foundation upon which a great society can rise. I also come from a proud background of education professionals, with my father, aunt and uncle, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law all former or active teachers in the public school system.
I know that my previous experience, combined with my skill set, and my knowledge and involvement with the Twin Valley School District make me uniquely qualified to serve as a School Director representing the residents of Robeson Township.
Sandra Deemer
As a candidate for Region II in the Twin Valley School District, I would like to provide information that outlines my knowledge and experiences that make me the choice for your vote on Tuesday, May 16th, 2017. Region II encompasses Caernarvon and West Nantmeal Townships as well as New Morgan Borough.
I am a Professor at Millersville University where I have been teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in educational psychology for 17 years. Prior to working at Millersville, I taught at Cedar Crest College in Allentown. I earned my Bachelors in Psychology from Millersville, and my Masters and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Statistics from the University of Delaware.
As an advocate for all children and a parent of two children in Twin Valley School District (Josh, 6th grade, TVMS and Emma, 1st grade, TVEC), I am dedicated to enhancing the supportive community of teachers, parents, administrators, businesses and residents who contribute to providing a top-notch education. It will be integral as a school director to work within our larger community to continue offering outstanding educational opportunities despite the challenges of reduced state funding and the need to contain educational costs. These realities within the public school system are ones that I have become immersed in with my work at Millersville and with local school districts. I believe that my deep knowledge of the educational system and my connections to the national educational community will allow me to contribute in meaningful ways to the already excellent school system that we have here in Twin Valley.
Christopher Koller
As a parent of three children in the district and a concerned taxpayer, I decided to run for School Director in Twin Valley Region 3 (Honey Brook). I am the only candidate in the region that will have a child in the elementary, middle and high schools, and will have a vested interest in ensuring that all of the schools in the district have the resources necessary for our children to achieve. I am also a taxpayer, who has felt the effects of annual tax increases. The school board must budget and allocate resources in a manner that provides for the needs of students and teachers, and is accountable to taxpayers.
I very much believe in and know the power of our public schools, because I have had the benefit of an excellent public school education. I attended K through 12 in Berks County, college at West Chester University, and law school at Temple University. I work as an attorney for a mid-size firm in Chester County, and have been practicing law for 17 years. In my practice, and as a shareholder of a law firm, I regularly handle many of the issues and budgetary decisions faced by the school district. I look forward to putting my background and experience to work for the students of Twin Valley and our community.
Editor’s Note: Bios were submitted by the candidates. Action-Impact contacted all candidates to fill out their election survey. Some candidates asked to submit a bio instead.
