The three finalists for Palmerton Area School District’s superintendent position — Angela Friebolin, Ryan Kish, and Jason Moser — presented their visions for the district Monday night during a public forum in the high school auditorium.

Hosted by the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit, the event gave each candidate a platform to share their plans for improving school culture, safety, and community engagement, among other topics.

The position has been open since July, when Dr. Jodi Frankelli left after four years to become the executive director of early learning at Allentown School District.

Kish was tabbed as interim superintendent, while keeping business manager duties, by the board of directors and started on July 6.

Friebolin

Currently the director of personnel in the Whitehall-Coplay School District, Friebolin emphasized her commitment to the education profession and her personal investment in the role.

In presenting her vision for enhancing the district’s climate, Friebolin used the analogy of a tree to explain her approach.

“You have your roots, which are the fundamental concepts that you need to have in place before you can really work on developing those leaves and limbs which will allow your district to flourish,” she said.

Her focus, she added, is on creating a safe and supportive environment for students.

Friebolin proposed conducting systematic reviews of the district’s facilities and safety protocols, emphasizing the importance of clear communication with both students and staff.

“Safe kids are happy kids,” she said, noting that students need to feel secure to thrive academically and socially.

Friebolin stressed the need for a districtwide communication audit to ensure that parents receive consistent information across multiple platforms.

“Our parents are busy people, and we want to make sure they get the information they need in a predictable and concise way,” she said.

Friebolin also placed a strong emphasis on collaborative leadership, proposing the expansion of leadership opportunities beyond administrators to include teachers and even students.

“Your teachers are at the interface with the kids and they can be a huge part of your leadership model,” she said, adding that students’ voices should be integrated into decision-making processes to create a more inclusive school environment.

Her community engagement plans included forming a “Bomber Advisory Committee” composed of various stakeholders, including students, businesses, and community members.

Friebolin, who holds several certifications and is completing her Ph.D. in strategic leadership, also highlighted her qualifications and extensive experience working with diverse student populations, including English language learners.

Kish

Kish, Palmerton’s business manager and current interim superintendent, focused on his strong connection to the district and his business and education expertise. He highlighted his dual role over the past few months, managing both the daily operations of the district as interim superintendent and handling the district’s finances as business manager.

Kish’s presentation centered around four pillars: a culture of positivity and respect, safety, community involvement, and student and staff growth.

“We need to continue to build a culture of positivity and respect among our students and staff,” he said. “It’s important for our staff to lead by example and encourage students to be leaders within the school community.”

Kish also underscored the need to prevent bullying and create a culture of kindness, sharing that he had recently applied for a grant to bring a New York Times best-selling author on bullying prevention to the district for a public forum.

“We want to hear from the community about bullying,” Kish said. “We want to know how it is affecting students and have a conversation about what we’re going to do to prevent it.”

Like Friebolin, Kish stressed the importance of safety, both physical and emotional, while pointing to the need for ongoing training for staff and students on how to respond to emergencies and handle emotional well-being.

“We have to create a safe and nurturing environment for both our staff and our students,” Kish said. “One of the ways to do that is conduct an annual climate survey to gather feedback from students, staff, and parents.”

Kish spoke about his efforts to manage the district’s budget, including refinancing district debt and overseeing the finish of key projects such as the renovation of S.S. Palmer Elementary and a districtwide feasibility study.

He also stressed the importance of supporting local businesses, suggesting the district create internships and service-learning opportunities that would benefit both students and the community.

“When it comes to purchasing, we have to create a policy to prioritize doing business with Palmerton businesses,” he said. “We should keep Palmerton money in Palmerton when at all possible.”

Kish reflected on the unique strengths of Palmerton, particularly the close-knit nature of the community.

“Community involvement is key, especially in a small district like Palmerton,” he said. “We need to use social media and other communication tools to showcase student achievements and foster stronger connections between the school and the wider community.”

Moser

Jason Moser, currently the assistant superintendent at Danville Area School District, brought a personal connection to Palmerton, noting that he began his academic career in the district until second grade when his family moved to Lehighton, where he earned his high school diploma.

Moser highlighted his broad range of experiences in education, from teaching English to serving in multiple leadership roles, including as a union president and curriculum director.

According to Moser, his vision for the district is rooted in the idea of fostering strong interpersonal relationships and ensuring that all stakeholders — students, staff, parents, and community members — feel connected and valued.

“The Palmerton Area School District will fully serve students, families, and the community by ensuring that all stakeholders feel safe, secure, and connected,” he said.

A central component of Moser’s approach, he said, is the importance of listening to students. He proposed holding leadership lunches with students across grade levels to hear their concerns and ideas firsthand.

“Students are our best resource,” Moser said. “They are articulate and they understand the context so much more than what we necessarily think or believe they do. We have to listen to them.”

He also suggested conducting climate surveys and reviewing academic and participation data to better understand the needs of the district.

Extracurricular activity participation, Moser said, is key to a well-rounded student.

“We know all research indicates that when students participate in something beyond the normal school day, they are a lot more likely to be successful in their academics,” he said.

Moser emphasized the importance of community engagement.

“The district should work closely with local businesses and organizations to develop programs that support students’ growth both academically and personally. I helped to implement a “firefighter club” initiative in Danville, where students were trained and certified as volunteer firefighters.”

That program, he said, not only provided valuable career skills but also strengthened ties between the school and the local community.

Moser also highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive school climate and ensuring that all students feel they are part of something bigger than themselves.

“Capture their hearts, and you’ll teach their minds,” he said.