Six candidates are vying for five seats on Lehighton Area School Board. They are:

Richard Beltz

Background: Lifelong resident of Lehighton; two kids; married for 25-plus years; aircraft mechanic/pilot.

Q: What are your top priorities if elected?

A: Negotiate a fair contract with the teachers union. Continue to participate in the decision making.

Q: How would you rate the financial health of the district and what do you think can be done to improve it?

A: Financial health is poor. Our little school district is over $100 million in debt. We need to cut spending as much as possible. The damage is done though. Tax increases are inevitable now.

Jack Finnegan

Background: I am retired from a 34-year career with the Social Security Administration. I held nine different positions of increasing responsibility, in eight different locations. My last 17 years were spent as the district administrator for Allentown and Bethlehem offices. I have been a board member for the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug and Alcohol Commission the last 15 years.

Q: What are your top priorities if elected?

A: I will continue my advocacy for our youth, specifically working to keep them physically and mentally healthy and keeping them chemically free. Vaping has emerged as a true epidemic, with national statistics indicating that one of four high school students is using electronic cigarettes. I also plan on continuing my support for our teachers, explaining them as the most important members of our community. Finally, collectively, we need to raise a better generation of parents.

Q: How would you rate the financial health of the district and what do you think can be done to improve it?

A: I would rate the district’s financial health as — excellent! All of our facilities have been completely renovated, including the creation of a state of the art elementary center. We are positioned very well for the next 20 years or so. I am especially optimistic about the two new hospitals being built in our district, attracting professional families to our area. I do believe that long-term, we are in great financial shape.

Nathan Foeller

Background: I’ve spent the last 10 years as a business owner, and I’ve owned and operated the Minuteman Press in Stroudsburg for the last six years. As a business owner and lifelong learner, I have experience in a variety of areas will prove valuable as a board member. I have a bachelor’s degree and years of experience in ministry and teaching. I am a 15-year Lehighton resident with three children in the district.

Q: What are top priorities if elected?

A: With a goal of no tax increases, continue to make constant, incremental improvements in the education offered in our district; provide students with a well-rounded education, including electives and extracurriculars and ensuring that students planning to enter a career or trade have the opportunity to learn the skills they need; and provide growth opportunities for staff and foster an environment where our great teachers can thrive.

Q: How would you rate the financial health of the district and what do you think can be done to improve it?

A: Our district’s largest asset in terms of value is our facilities — they are up-to-date, in good repair, and something to be proud of. This year has required some “belt-tightening” but I’m confident that we’ll get through this phase. I believe our situation can continue to improve as the administration and the board work together to spend money wisely, to reduce expenses where possible without cutting programs, and to ensure that the district is obtaining all the funding that is available to us.

Rita Spinelli

Background: Served six years as an LASD School Director from 1993 to 1999. She currently sits on the board after being appointed in 2018. A 39-year resident of Franklin Township, she attended Millersville University and received an AAS in Accounting from LCCC. She has two children who graduated from LASD. Rita has worked in all areas of bookkeeping, taught QuickBooks and Excel and retired in 2015 after 10 years as a Realtor.

Q: What are your top priorities if elected?

A: LASD has challenges and always will. I believe in public education and believe it should be a prerequisite for this office. I strongly support any means of education that meets a child’s needs but I am a public school director. I am neither an activist nor leader of a taxpayer advocate group. There is no doubt that education needs to and will change through patience and working within the system of the day.

Q: How would you rate the financial health of the district and what do you think can be done to improve it?

A: All school districts face unfunded mandates and increased student needs. Financial challenges happen daily and without warning. A responsible board meets those challenges head-on and with respect. A comprehensive balance of wants and needs, correct budgeting, monitoring spending and advocating for funding for mandates will keep things at bay. Expenses rise for school districts as they do for individuals. No government functions for long without periodic tax increases. Meeting student needs is our job.

Larry Stern

Background: A resident of the Lehighton community since parents returned to the area in 1964. My family have all graduated from Lehighton Area and I earned a bachelor’s degree from Lycoming College. Currently employed in the information technology industry with a focus in human resources management. Served many years as a director and is currently board president; also served as Lehighton’s LCCC representative and remains committed to serving the community’s most valuable asset.

Q: What are your top priorities if elected?

A: Priorities are to maintain programs, increase curriculum rigor while improving opportunities for our students, staff and fiscal responsibility to our community. Student safety and overall well-being is a major concern. Our educational environment must evolve to provide support in all areas of student life. Facility upgrades completed, the district is now positioned for the future, to allow an even keener focus on educational advancement and as with any business, an emphasis on the bottom line.

Q: How would you rate the financial health of the district and what do you think can be done to improve it?

A: Challenges arise on a yearly basis whether planned or unplanned, same as in business. The realization of the issue, including the severity, is first and foremost. Next steps are the building of a plan to resolve the challenge with minimal impact to the reason why we are here: education. With a realistic budgeting process, monthly review of expense to budget, critiquing of expenditures, the district will be able to overcome financial challenges, present or future.

Wayne Wentz

Background: I was born and raised in Lehighton. After graduation I joined the military and spent 13 months in Vietnam. Upon discharge I was employed by Norfolk Southern railroad. I have volunteered 36 years with Franklin Township Athletic Association, 27 of those years as president of the organization. I have served on the Lehighton school board for 12 years as the CLIU rep, building and grounds committee and serving as athletic committee chairperson.

Q: What are your top priorities if elected?

A: My top priority is always serving and protecting the children of LASD. I also wish to keep the taxpayers in mind when making financial decisions. I am proud to be part of the Hometown Team in making children, community and this district a top priority. Great things can only be accomplished when we all work together.

Q: How would you rate the financial health of the district and what do you think can be done to improve

A: I believe our financial health is improving and we are in very capable hands. We need to work with our staff, administration and taxpayers to continue to do what is best for our students … our number one priority.