Lehighton School Board member Joy Beers has announced her candidacy for a third term in the upcoming election on May 20.

Beers, who has served on the board for the past eight years, said she brings a combination of experience, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to the Lehighton Area School District.

Reflecting on her tenure, Beers recalls the challenges of her first term, marked by contentious debates and a school board that “created massive debt, built the elementary center, and created an atmosphere of fear in the community.”

She describes those years as a turning point, observing and learning while also witnessing the toll of poor governance. During her second term, Beers worked alongside a group of reform-minded people to rebuild trust and restore financial stability in the district.

“We balanced the budget, restored the fund balance, and put the students’ needs first,” she says.

She emphasizes the board’s accomplishments, including the implementation of policies to enhance student safety and the negotiation of employee contracts that are “more well balanced than any in the last ten years.”

Beers’ motivation remains rooted in community and optimism.

“I get nothing out of this, and often times I am exhausted with it,” she said. “However, when I see children walking around town and I hear the band playing at the football game, I have hope and I can see a brighter future.”

With new Superintendent Jason Moser at the helm — a local with a compelling vision, she says — Beers sees an opportunity to further elevate the district.

Her priorities for the next term include establishing a multiyear budget plan, addressing institutional weaknesses exposed during the pandemic, and equipping students with not only academic knowledge but also essential life skills like resiliency and self-reliance. Beers concludes, “If you want me to continue on with this mission, I ask for you to vote for me on May 20.”

She also encourages support for her running mates: Duane Dellecker, Denise (Getz) Hartley, Kirk Henritzy, and Darrin Dotter.