Panther Valley area voters will fill seven of the nine seats on the Panther Valley School District Board of Education.

There are just enough candidates (seven) for the seats on the Democratic ticket while the Republican slate has just five candidates.

Nominations will be decided for two two-year terms on the board. There are two candidates seeking those nominations and they are both cross-filed on both tickets. They include Steven Foster and Marco R. D’Ancona.

The voters will also decide five nominations for four-year terms on the board. William J. Mansberry Jr., Gary Porembo, Renee DeMelfi, D’Ancona and Joseph J. Faenza are seeking to win Democratic nominations. Only Mansberry, Porembo and D’Ancona appear on the Republican side.

The Times News asked candidates for their platform. One responded.

Renee DeMelfi

Background: Currently, I serve on the Panther Valley School Board, have held the position of board secretary, and the committees for education and policy. I’ve also assisted with successful contract negotiations since elected in 2015. It is important to be an involved parent. I’m also an active volunteer in our schools and for local agencies. While a business owner and warranty administrator, I’ve learned a lot that has aided in my position on the school board.

Q: What are your top three priorities if elected?

A: My main focus is to make the most informed decisions as possible. With that being said, school security, cyber charter school reform and equal state funding for Panther Valley are at the top of my list. We need the legislators for the state of Pennsylvania to be much more supportive of smaller, low tax based districts such as ours. That entails a much more suitable funding formula established throughout our commonwealth for equal distribution.

Q: What still needs to be done to ensure student security?

A: Security is a nationwide concern. I do feel that students can be our best source for information. Programs such as “Safe 2 Say” are extremely helpful in preventive measures. Establishing and maintaining plans of action, consistent policy enforcement, planned and unplanned safety drills and access control all contribute to the safety of our students and staff. Pre-emptive response needs to be both locally and nationally strategized. Again, adequate funding is needed for all schools, not a select few.

Q: How would you balance the need for fiscal responsibility to the taxpayer with providing a quality education to the students?

A: I will continue to support our administration in the fight to obtain what our students and staff deserve. The lack of “Equal Funding” is the most cumbersome fight that we have on our hands. Our students deserve the same opportunities as others.

Please contact our legislators. Tell them to vote “yes” for Senate Bill 34 and House Bill 526. Panther Valley cannot keep absorbing the cost of cyber charter school tuition. They cost us in excess of $700,000 a year. We need this money to remain in our school district.