Five people are vying for four seats on Palmerton Area School Board in Tuesday’s general election. Incumbents are Earl Paules, his wife, Danielle Paules, Stacey Connell and Erin Snyder. Newcomer Michael George is the fifth candidate. Here is a look at the candidates with answers to Times News questions. Candidates were allowed 100 words for background and 75 for each question. Responses are listed in alphabetical order.

Stacey Connell

Town: Palmerton

Background: I am a proud mother of three children, a doctoral prepared Nurse Practitioner focusing on Family Practice, currently employed by St. Luke’s Palmerton Primary Care and am the vice president of the Palmerton Concourse Club. My husband and I are married 23 years and Palmerton has been my home since we married. I take great pride in my community and enjoy volunteering in various roles.

Michael George

Town: Towamensing Township

Background: A PASD graduate, I’ve lived elsewhere before returning home to Towamensing Township several years ago. I’m familiar with serving community as my parents, Rodney and Dolores, served as township supervisor and school board member for many years. I recently joined the board of Raising the House. I also serve as an honorary board member for our Palmerton Library and am actively involved with our local chapter of Dream Come True.

1. What three measurable goals would you prioritize in your upcoming term on the board?

Connell: If elected, my primary goals would be to continue to support our teachers and staff, continue to be fiscally responsible to our taxpayer base and continue to prioritize the success and safety of our students.

George: In my upcoming term, I would prioritize three measurable goals:

1. Strengthen board collaboration by increasing joint planning sessions and ensuring all members have a clear voice in decision-making.

2. Implement and track a quarterly review system to ensure all board goals and projects stay on schedule and within budget.

3. Expand community partnerships by securing at least three new collaborations that provide resources, support, or educational opportunities for our students and staff.

Danielle Paules: One of my goals is to increase parent/families involvement in student activities to strengthen school community interactions. I also aim to ensure that all departing employees complete exit interviews to help identify areas for improvement. Additionally, I plan to reduce disciplinary and bullying incidents by implementing more prevention programs, and developing a comprehensive guidance plan so students feel comfortable seeking support when facing serious issues.

Earl Paules: One of my main goals is to eliminate unnecessary spending of taxpayers money and ensure every dollar is used wisely. Next, major district projects face costly change orders that drive up expenses. I will continue pushing for stronger planning and accountability to avoid those added costs. Above all, I want to make sure our students receive the highest quality of education possible — right here in Palmerton, without placing an extra burden on our taxpayers.

Snyder: If elected to the school board, I will prioritize improving student academic performance through updated curriculum and expanded support programs. I will work to increase parent and community engagement by enhancing communication and offering more opportunities for involvement. Lastly, I will focus on maintaining fiscal responsibility by promoting transparency and ensuring a balanced budget that prioritizes classroom needs. These goals reflect a commitment to educational excellence, community collaboration, and responsible stewardship of district resources.

2. The district is proposing an almost $15 million building project. How would you balance the need for expanded or improved facilities with the district’s growing budget pressures and the goal of keeping taxes stable?

Connell: In our community we have many individuals on fixed incomes. As a board, we keep our taxpayer base at the forefront of our decision-making process and understand a large increase can be detrimental. However, by not improving on our facilities and educational space we are doing a disservice to our students, and educators. We look at many different options and attempt to do what is best for all stakeholders involved.

George: While it’s important to provide the best education for our students, we do so on the backs of our community and taxpayers. Balancing the needs of our students against the district checkbook isn’t easy nor taken lightly. Honest and direct input from all involved will bring about the best use of funds to support an education we can all be proud of.

Danielle Paules: My priority is to make the high school safer and add needed classrooms our students truly need. When spending tax-payers money I look at it as needs vs wants. With the state budget still on hold, being fiscally responsible we can continue to rent the office space rather than building a new District Administration Office. This decision could save the taxpayers 4 million dollars.

Earl Paules: We need to lower the overall budget number by finding smarter, more efficient ways to complete projects that stay within Palmerton taxpayers’ means. Strengthening our maintenance plan will extend the life of facilities and reduce future costs. We can always reconsider building a new administration building to avoid unnecessary spending and utilize it elsewhere, where it’s truly needed. Most importantly, this project prioritizes student safety — ensuring every improvement supports a secure and effective learning environment.

Snyder: Balancing the need for improved facilities with budget pressures requires careful planning and transparency. I would closely review the current building project to ensure it is necessary, cost-effective, and aligned with student and community needs. Exploring state or federal funding opportunities and identifying savings in other areas of the budget would be key. Above all, I would prioritize open communication with taxpayers and work to support facility improvements without placing unnecessary burden on residents.

3. Recent administrative turnover over the last several years (resignations of athletic director and human resources director, new superintendent in late 2024, new assistant superintendent positions in 2025) — has prompted staffing changes. How will you work within your role as a board member to recruit and retain quality staff and stabilize leadership?

Connell: In education, as in any field, turnover should be expected, for a multitude of reasons and a majority of which are out the of the control of a school board. As a school board member, I feel it is important to support those in new roles and ensure that there are measures in place to allow them to succeed. I feel that our current leadership has made changes in the best interest of our district.

George: Growth brings about change. Sometimes that growth can be done within the district, but often it involves a change in scenery. Offering direct and open communication can help develop our teams; showing commitment to staff development and continuing the growth right here in our district. Being a respectful partner goes a long way.

Danielle Paules: Palmerton is a small district, and when the idea of hiring an HR position was brought to the board, I voted against it because it wasn’t necessary. Other Carbon County schools don’t have that position, they divide the responsibilities among administrative staff. When an employee leaves, we offer an exit interview to identify concerns or improvements. However, in my four years, although we’ve consistently offered them, employees have chosen to decline.

Earl Paules: The District combined the assistant principal and athletic director positions together, saving taxpayers $80,000 annually. We also eliminated the HR position, saving another $100,000 by redistributing duties among administration. These changes reflect our commitment to fiscal responsibility while maintaining strong leadership. Finding the right superintendent is always a challenge, Palmerton is a small community with limited business tax revenue-but we continue to focus on doing more with less for our taxpayers and students.

Snyder: As a board member, I would focus on creating a stable, supportive environment that helps attract and retain high-quality staff. This includes ensuring clear expectations, fair compensation, and a positive working culture. I would support strong onboarding and mentorship programs, especially for new leadership, and prioritize regular evaluations that promote professional growth. Most importantly, I’d work collaboratively with the superintendent to maintain consistency, transparency, and trust across all levels of district leadership and staffing.

4. How do you think the district should measure student success beyond standardized test scores?

Connell: We have amazing students within the Palmerton Area School District! In our elementary schools we celebrate our student leaders each month by recognizing them at our monthly meeting. We also hear from our Jr and Senior high student reports that keep us informed of our club, sports and academic successes. Our teachers do their best to make our students well rounded individuals and promote success in many areas.

George: Student success can be measured in happy involved students. Are our students participating in sports? clubs? Music and drama? Are they involved in our community? Do they volunteer? Do they take pride in our schools and communities?

Danielle Paules: I don’t think schools should look too much into standardized testing. The data can be useful, but it doesn’t always reflect what students are actually learning. Tests can be very stressful, and not all students perform well on them. Our teachers do a great job monitoring progress and provide extra help and support to students on an individual basis when needed.

Earl Paules: We should regularly review past data and compare it to current results to ensure we’re making real progress in our students’ education. Looking at trends over time helps us identify what’s working, what isn’t, and where we can improve. By making data-driven decisions, we can take smarter steps forward and ensure every student in Palmerton has the best opportunity to learn and succeed.

Snyder: Student success goes far beyond standardized test scores. The district should also measure growth through classroom performance, project-based learning, and student portfolios. Attendance, graduation rates, and participation in extracurriculars or career and technical programs are important indicators as well. Gathering input from teachers, students, and parents can provide deeper insight into student engagement and well-being. By looking at the whole student — academically, socially, and emotionally — we can better support meaningful, long-term success.

5. How should the board handle disagreements among members and/or administration to ensure meetings remain productive and respectful?

Connell: As with any group that has varied opinions and viewpoints it is with utmost importance to always have respect for others. The School Board must function as a whole and must do so for the betterment of the district. We must be able to work together, listening and communicating effectively. As School Board members we are not only representing ourselves but are representing the people we serve as well.

George: Spirited and respectful discussion is an important part of coming to the best decisions; recognizing each other’s strengths and building on them. It’s imperative that board members maintain open and respectful conversation. The students, staff and taxpayers deserve to be represented by intelligent and insightful board members who show respectful agreement while working towards solutions.

Danielle Paules: Every board member brings unique views and experiences, which can strengthen discussions. However, at times, members can be combative over little details that can distract from our main goal-serving students and staff. Even if everyone doesn’t agree, we need to be respectful and listen to each other. I believe many topics we discuss during voting meetings could be more effective in workshop meetings, where open discussion and questions promote greater transparency.

Earl Paules: In any situation you are always going to have disagreements, that’s common. I’ve been handling disagreements for a very long time in my line of work. What matters most is staying focused on serving the students and people of Palmerton. When we keep their best interests at the center of every decision and work together respectfully, things tend to run smoothly and progress happens for the good of our entire community.

Snyder: The board should handle disagreements by fostering a culture of respect, professionalism, and open communication. Members should focus on facts, listen actively, and avoid personal attacks. Clear meeting procedures and a strong board president can help keep discussions on track. Disagreements should be viewed as opportunities to explore different perspectives, always keeping students’ best interests at the center. Even when views differ, maintaining civility ensures the board remains effective and the community’s trust is preserved.