Five four-year term seats are open for Pleasant Valley school director, Candidates are: Antoinette Gravell, Dayanara Rosa, Erika Engle, Donna Yozwiak, Mary Elizabeth Colon, Susan A. Kresge, Peter DeSanto Jr., Ryan W. Okeefe, Robert Clark, Alice M. Wheelis, Janet Dooner, John Gesiskie are all cross-filed. Matthew Walters is only listed on the Republican ticket.

One seat is open for a two-year term. Candidates are: Yozwiak, Engle, DeSanto and Norman A. Burger are all cross-filed. Mary Elizabeth Colon is just on the Democratic ballot.

We asked all candidates about the issues. The ones who responded to our request, in alphabetical order, are:

Norman A Burger

Town: Gilbert, Chestnuthill Township

Background: Polk Township native, with BS Mathematics and MS Computer Science; military service, 22 years; worked in aerospace industry 20 years; developed and managed plans/ budgets in the tens of millions annually; military, aerospace and university instructor; with a brother, owned construction company for over 30 years; Pleasant Valley School Board member 2019 to present.

Why you are running for school board: I want to be a voice of reason - focusing on the facts to arrive at sound solutions for our school district. I believe my background and experience would benefit our students, staff, administration, board and taxpayer community. My objective is to work with our board and administrators to provide a safe learning environment with a range of quality education opportunities suitable to students’ talents and interests that is also taxpayer affordable.

What do you see is the role of Bears Academy in the future: If parents and students choose an alternate to Brick & Mortar, PVSD wants them to consider Bears Academy as a primary quality choice. This is beneficial for these reasons: reduces money outflow; retains more funds for district initiatives; provides job opportunities for district employees; gives more insight into student achievement/progress; and makes future transitions back to brick and mortar easier, since we have the student’s records that are often sparse, or missing.

Pleasant Valley is facing some building renovation decisions of the high school first. Do you support this?: Yes. The core high school building was completed in 1960, with 344 students in 7-12th grades. Today’s population is about 1,160. After 62 years and multiple modifications, parts for most original mechanic, heating/cooling, plumbing and electrical equipment aren’t available, subsequent additions’ systems are not integrated, and some areas lack air conditioning. Shortfalls exist in classroom design/equipment, educational clusters, lockers, student transition flows, security and student services. Renovation corrects these issues, improving the educational environment.

Robert Clark

Town: Saylorsburg

Background: I am a school administrator with 20 years of experience, currently serving as the Supervisor of Technology Services in a local school district. I hold a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Business Administration. I am a PV alumni and parent of two PV students, at PVI and PVM. I am currently active in education and well-versed on current issues facing schools.

Why you are running: I am running for PV school board because every student deserves access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success. As a parent, community member, and education administrator I have seen firsthand the challenges our schools face and am committed to being part of the solution. I have the skills and experience necessary to be an effective school board member and am passionate about making a positive impact on our students and families.

What is the role of Bears Academy in the future?: I view the future role of Bears Academy as a critical component of the PV education ecosystem. It provides a flexible learning option for students who may not thrive in a traditional brick-and-mortar school. Bears Academy can attract our students back from other cyber schools to bring students and dollars back to PV. We must ensure adequate support and resources to provide quality education to all students who choose this option.

Do you support for building renovation?: The decision to renovate the high school is a critical one that must be carefully considered. I support a renovation plan that prioritizes student safety, accessibility, and functionality, while also being fiscally responsible. As a board member, I will work collaboratively with the community, administration, and experts in the field to ensure we make informed decisions that provide our students with the best possible learning environment and remain mindful of the district’s financial resources.

Janet Dooner

Residence: Kunkletown

Why you are running: Running for a volunteer leadership position isn’t everyone’s dream, it’s a calling to SERVE neighbors. I do not collect a pension from PSERS nor desire political aspirations. The US education system is failing the student and the family. I have a bottom-up approach to addressing issues nearest to the people of the Local Education Agency. Embracing a recent quote I believe, “education is key, and the fix is local.”

What is the role of Bears Academy in the future?: The Bears Academy uses Edgenuity/Imagine Learning. The website states, “Fill your teacher vacancies with Certified Instructors.” Trends suggest families/students move toward alternative learning, away from brick/mortar. Schools compete to maintain child accounting numbers by offering a comparable online option to navigate the esoteric funding formula. My concern centers on whether the Bears Academy compromises the in-house learning through elective, STEM-classroom and self- directed learning. Is the click and paste world of AI the realistic answer?

Do you support for building renovation?: Adoption of The Capital Improvement Project starts before the newly elected board members take office January 2024. Items concerning secure doors, limited mass entrance doors, and heating/cooling systems are most important. The four STEM classrooms and wholistic child approach in education could signify the move toward the AI and Bear Academy. That the tax base has not been addressed for the homeowner makes me apprehensive toward a $100M capital improvement without full community input.

Erika Engle

Town: Kunkletown

Background: Erika graduated from PV & Drexel University. Her son is a PV graduate and will complete his education this month at Shippensburg University. Erika participates in many roles in the community as a volunteer and leader. She is compassionate and empathetic and is constantly looking for ways to improve. Professionally, Erika has experience and knowledge in human resources, budgeting, staffing, environmental awareness, safety, DE & I programs, project management and strongly supports collaboration and engagement.

Why you are running: Erika is running for School Board because this is her opportunity to advocate not only for the children in the district but for all community members. Improving the quality of the school system is essential and we need to be focused on our fiscal health while making sound decisions as to where the taxpayer’s money is being spent. Student success and achievement while building positive relationships within the district, will be a goal.

What is the role of Bears Academy in the future?: Bears Academy is a format in which students can find a successful educational path through self-motivation and accountability. Like our brick-and-mortar schools, it is essential that we strength the curriculum, encourage parental involvement and stay up to date on technology while providing a safe, learning opportunity. Now that the board has opted to hire a Principle for our cyber school, it is critical that we focus on enhancing the educational scope.

Support for renovation: I will support renovations that consider and prioritize urgency of the need, cost and funding (We are losing money to Charter Schools); overall benefit; improvements to curriculum and technology; safety and energy consumption reduction. It is critical that we make these decisions as a community and fully understand the risk and benefits at stake. An investment in our future is wise, but we cannot afford poor decision making.

John Gesiskie

Town: Effort

Background: A retired educator with over 30 years of teaching (K-12) and coaching, cyber school monitoring, supervised numerous student activities and community work, problem-solving with challenging and at risk students, curriculum committees, union leadership, and contract negotiations; additional classes are discipline/conflict resolution, cultural awareness, school and sport law; bullying and victimization, nonviolent crisis intervention, general workplace ethics; education: B.S. degree health, physical education and driver education and masters sports management; masters educational technology

Why you are running for school board: I am running for a school director position for the following reasons: the need for administrator accountability to follow policies or contracts; stop adding more unnecessary administrative support when our student’s need for support is ignored or minimized; repel measures that force a one size fits all approach; remind administrators who have only been here for a short time to stop making decisions without considering past circumstances.

What is the role of Bears Academy in the future?: I feel the Bear’s Academy role is to provide additional opportunities to our students who may choose a Cyber School option and should utilize the teachers of Pleasant Valley to help build community support between the students, educators and the programs. Programs offered could be areas in which we have no certified teacher.

Do you support for building renovation?: There are definite repairs, outdated equipment and renovations needed for the high school to run effectively and cost efficiently. I cannot comprehend the aesthetics of a building, a true necessity, considering the burden on the taxpayers. At this time, many of these decisions are already in motion before a new board will be in place.

Antoinette Gravell

Residence: Polk Township

Why you are running: My candidacy stems from a deep and pervasive concern for an education system which is failing our children. Students are scoring alarming low in both math and reading. Continuing to elect people who have ties to PA Education Retirement, are in the education system themselves or have spouses in education will result in more of the same. New directors who care are needed, people with new ideas, who will be the change our children need.

What is the role of Bears Academy in the future?: PV Bears Academy (Cyber School) does not exceed the standards of other cyber and charter schools. We are losing PA State funding to them as well as a teacher shortage.

Do you support for building renovation?: Every tax paying citizen should be concerned that although our schools are in disrepair and most of the work should have been taken care of years ago, the capital improvement project is slated to begin just before the new directors take office. The HVAC systems in our school should be replaced, technology needs to be updated and even small ticket items like worn-out lockers need to be replaced.

Susan A. Kresge

Town: McMichaels

Background: Present member of the PV School Board. Retired small business owner in our community and current Association Manager of the Pennsylvania State United States Bowling Congress. Understands how the school management team should perform to be effective. Will lead with integrity and respect. Cares about the students, staff and residents of our community. Will read, research and ask questions so informed decisions can be made. Will be the voice of reason and fair to all.

Why you are running: Volunteering and giving back to my community are important values to me. Wish to focus on moving the district forward and to educate all students to meet their highest potential. Continue to adopt a fiscally sound district budget. Work as a team by collaborating with others and be respectful of the team. Keep the public informed of the district’s progress and challenges.

What is the role of Bears Academy in the future?: Our Bears Academy provides an additional option to meet the diverse needs of our students. By offering our own cyber school, the Bears Academy, our tax dollars stay within our district which helps to keep our budget down. We need to improve the quality of education received by the Bears Academy so that our students will choose to attend our cyber learning option and not an outside cyber/charter school.

Do you support for building renovation?: Yes, the school was originally built in the late 1950s. We need to enhance the educational environment, improve safety, and update the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems to provide for better efficiency. The board has strategically been budgeting dollars over the past few years to lessen the impact of the borrowing. With a minimal 0.38 mil increase over the next five years the estimated borrowing will be fully funded in the 2027-2028 school year.

Ryan W. O’Keefe

Town: Effort

Background: I am a father of three daughters in the district. I have a constructive attitude, a willingness to listen thoughtfully to others and the temperament to respond appropriately through challenging events. I am financially responsible and will hold others accountable as well. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from DeSales University and Master of Business Administration from NYU; employed at Sanofi as the Global Quality Head of North American Vaccines External Manufacturing.

Why you are running: I am running for School Board to bring the community together so that we are all working collectively to make this an even better school district, one in which people are attracted to and want to move to or work at. I am a father of three daughters who attend Pleasant Valley and I want to make sure they and every student are being set up for their future success, as it all starts here.

What is the role of Bears Academy in the future?: The Bears Academy is crucial to the future of PV and needs to be ran by the excellent PV staff and not a third party. We need to make this new learning option superior to other options that are costing the district and taxpayer millions of unnecessary fees, that should be covered by those who choose this option, just as is done for those who choose to attend a private school.

Do you support building renovations?: Yes, the school is an aging facility that requires renovations to be useful for years to come. The other option is to start from scratch and that would cost more. I am not saying everything the engineering firm has recommended needs to be executed, but the district needs to look at every item and ask the questions: why now, can this be pushed out and at what cost? Safety issues are mandatory.

Donna Yozwiak

Town: Saylorsburg

Background: Donna has been an educator for more than 45 years as a Pleasant Valley English teacher and school counselor. She holds degrees from Marywood, East Stroudsburg and Wilkes universities. Yozwiak is past president of PV School Board, serving on the MCTI Joint Operating Committee, Policy Committee, Education Committee, Support and Professional Staff Negotiating Committees, Athletic Committee, Finance Committee and PSBA Platform Committee. She serves on the MCTI Educational Foundation and is Chairperson of the MCTI Authority Board.

Why you are running: I am running to ensure that our children receive more rigorous education. Reducing credit requirements currently from 28.5 to 24 has lowered our standards. Our children need a competitive edge in this world to succeed. Students will not lose scholarships as they have this year. We must reestablish transparency. All committee meetings will open to the public, providing minutes for oversight. All board policies will be followed; board authority will be restored.

What is the role of Bears Academy in the future?: All children learn differently; some excel as independent learners, while others thrive in a more traditional setting. The PV Bears Academy allows parents/guardians to pursue a multifaceted educational approach in a cyber school setting. It is my hope that PV teachers will one day educate PV students in this venue and PV will no longer utilize teachers from Seneca Valley SD to complete this educational task.

Do you support for building renovation?: PV renovations will take up to 10 years to complete, putting a strain upon the community. Renovations are most needed at the high school which have been divided into three areas: Main Building $38.5 million; 1995 Wing $24.8 million and Mills Wing $17.2 million; Total: $80.5 million. I support renovations but not necessarily these plans. My hope is that the costs can be lowered to provide excellent student facilities but not distress our community.