This candidate survey was compiled by Action-Impact, a nonprofit, youth ministry located at 80 Vickery Ln., Elverson. This guide is not an endorsement of any candidate, but rather a compilation of answers given by the candidates to help you make an informed decision.
“Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote… that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country,” – Samuel Adams
Twin Valley School Board Region 1
Deanna Herman, Birdsboro, cross filing Democrat & Republican, 4 year term (did not fill out survey)
Jeffrey Horrocks, Elverson, cross filing Democrat & Republican, 4 year term, Incumbent
Twin Valley School Board Region 2
Sandra Deemer, Morgantown, cross filing Democrat & Republican, 4 year term (did not fill out survey)
Carole Jo Chappelle, Elverson, Republican, 4 year term
Stephen J. Rucci, Republican, 4 year term, Incumbent
Twin Valley School Board Region 3
Gary R McEwen, cross filing Democrat & Republican, 4 year term, Incumbent
Christopher Koller, cross filing Democrat & Republican, 2 year term (did not fill out survey)
John Burdy, cross filing Democrat & Republican, 2 year term, Incumbent
1. Do you believe that parents have the primary responsibility for how their children are raised and educated?
Horrocks, Chappelle, Rucci, Burdy, McEwen replied yes
John Burdy: I believe parents are primary responsible but, having several great mentors can be a valuable asset.
2. Do you support a parent’s right to review curriculum and opt their children out of a class or unit if they see fit?
Horrocks, Chappelle, Rucci, Burdy, McEwen replied yes
John Burdy: I have personally allowed my student to opt out of a class that had some content that was not in line with our values. The credit was made up in a different area.
3. Do you support the right of families to home school their children?
Horrocks, Chappelle, Rucci, Burdy, McEwen replied yes
John Burdy: It is the parents’ decision. Parent must remember if they decide to home school, their children may still participate in some activities , such as band, sports, clubs, etc.
4. Do you believe that school choice improves education as a whole?
Horrocks, Chappelle, Rucci, McEwen replied yes.
Burdy replied noJohn Burdy: School choice has the potential to extremely effect the district’s budget.
5. Do you believe tax dollars and/or tax credits should be available to help families pay for the school of their choice?
Horrocks, Chappelle, Rucci, McEwen replied yes.
Burdy replied noJeff Horrocks: I believe what a tax payer pays into the tax system for education should be able to follow the student of the payee no more and no less.
Carole Jo Chappelle: I would need to research the ramifications of this further to form an opinion.
John Burdy: I realize that public school is not everyone’s first choice. We are working to make it better all the time. It is ultimately the family’s choice.
Stephen Rucci: Tax credits only.
Gary McEwen: Provided that the credits are for actual costs to educate and not costs associated with facilities, mandates, pensions, etc.
6. Do you believe that increasing spending on education is a primary way to improve education?
All replied noJeff Horrocks: Costs for top quality teachers and staff has increased over the past 5 years due to the pension system, health care, and special education costs. Continual increase in spending should not be the primary method.
John Burdy: Throwing money doesn’t always improve things, sure it can help sometimes. Having the best possible team of teachers, administration, staff and support with their hearts into education our students improves education.
Gary McEwen: Not additional spending resulting from increased local revenues. Additional revenues from appropriate state funding could be used for additional instruction spending.
7. Do you believe that federal mandates creating national uniformity in public schools are important to improving American education?
All replied no.Jeff Horrocks: I believe the best way to improve education is to allow more local control in the district and reduce costly mandates, that many times are unfunded.
John Burdy: Please, let’s not take this higher than state level.
8. Do you support increased local control of education to allow local school boards maximum flexibility to meet the needs and wants of their communities?
All replied yesJeff Horrocks: More local control is better for the community’s voice to be heard and deal with community needs.
John Burdy: We as the School Board are more in touch with our local community
9. Should interpretation of the U.S. Constitution be based on the intent of the authors?
All replied yesJeff Horrocks: Both U.S. Constitution and PA Constitution should be based on writers’ intent.
John Burdy: I feel our Founding Fathers had the best interest at heart.
Gary McEwen: Intent of original authors of Constitution.
10. Would you support a science curriculum that includes intelligent design when discussing possible origins of the universe?
All replied yesJeff Horrocks: I believe in intelligent design and feel it should be included in school curriculum. Our founding fathers believed this as well. “All men are created equal.”
John Burdy: I wish we had the choice of studying Creation over evolution. My student disliked evolution and struggled with it. Is Genesis 1:1-3 the big bang theory?
11. Do you support teaching abstinence in health classes as the best possible practice for students to avoid unwanted pregnancies and STDs?
All replied yesJohn Burdy: The health class may hand out tampons or similar types of personal hygiene items. But not birth control or such. That is the parents’ responsibility.
12. Do you believe that schools should teach acceptance of same sex marriage and other LGBT concerns?
Horrocks replied no, Rucci replied yes.
Burdy replied noJeff Horrocks: I believe all people should be given full respect and treated with upmost dignity without bullying or passing judgement. I believe schools should teach a historical view of a person’s God given biological sex.
Carole Jo Chappelle: I do not believe schools, should be prejudice toward any individuals or groups. Tolerance is different than acceptance. We should not judge. Acceptance is best taught at home if a parent so chooses.
Gary McEwen: Acceptance and tolerance should be acknowledged for all individuals in school, at home and in public.
13. Do you support allowing students to use only restrooms and locker rooms that are consistent with their biological sex?
Horrocks, Rucci, Burdy replied yes
Carole Jo Chappelle: This should be based on an individual case by case basis. Nobody should feel uncomfortable in a locker room or restroom.
John Burdy: My personal opinion is to go with what is on the student’s birth certificate.
Gary McEwen: This is a very controversial topic and I don’t feel it can be warranted by a simple yes or no answer. Each situation may have different circumstances and should be addressed as such.
14. Do you support the use of the Bible in the classroom as a historical and literary book?
Horrocks, Chappelle, Burdy, McEwen replied yes.
Rucci replied no.Jeff Horrocks: The Bible had been taught in this fashion for hundreds of years and I personally feel this should be continued.
John Burdy: I wish it was in every backpack.
Gary McEwen: Other religion’s books should also be considered for historical and literary study.
15. Do you support freedom of speech, for students, faculty and staff even if that speech is religious in nature and/or if it expresses viewpoints that some may find offensive?
Horrocks, Chappelle, Burdy, McEwen replied yes
Rucci replied noJeff Horrocks: Freedom of speech is a granted right for all citizens. When viewpoints are regarded as offensive we must deal with this in a peaceful, and respectful manner.
