Four four-year terms are up for grabs this year in Panther Valley, with six people aspiring to win nominations, having cross-filed to appear on both the Democratic and Republican ballots. We asked candidates about budget, education and priorities. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order with their answers.

Renee DeMelfi

Town: Nesquehoning

Background: I am a retired business owner in floor covering. After leaving the industry, I attended LCCC for a certification in Cardiovascular Studies, EKG. Following college, I was employed by Berger Family Dealerships as their Warranty Administrator. The last 15 years, I’ve been volunteering in Carbon County. Currently I hold seats on the PV School Board, as well as on CCTI’s JOC. I remain dedicated to our students, staff, and the belief that it is “irresponsible to tax residents out of their homes.”

How the board should maintain a healthy fund balance versus using those funds to reduce the need for tax increases: That is a great question. Since being on the PV School Board the last ten years, I have seen our tax base continuously decrease. However, that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to strap the taxpayers with tax increases. I believe earmarking district funds for specific items whenever and wherever possible is an example of responsible spending.

How you will support continued student growth, particularly as measured by state assessment tests: The state focuses on assessment tests to measure student growth but it’s not necessarily 100% accurate. Too many factors can affect scores. Not all students are good test takers, they panic. Others don’t sleep well the night before; some are dealing with issues beyond their control. Still others don’t take the tests seriously. I believe it’s unfair to put so much value on the test results for the students, teachers and the district as a whole.

How you will balance the increasing costs of facility maintenance with the financial impact on taxpayers: Prioritizing what truly needs immediate attention and what doesn’t. The board needs to be kept informed each step of the way. If there isn’t organization, prioritization and transparency, it is a severe injustice to the taxpayers.

Your top priorities if elected: I plan to pick up right where I left off. It takes time to learn the ropes. I have the experience under my belt. I will encourage others not to burden homeowners with higher taxes. I have assisted with many things in all three buildings over the years before and after I was elected. I’ve been blessed to have voters’ confidence in me which is truly humbling. I remain committed to making a positive difference.

Ryan Eidle

Town: Lansford

Background: A lifelong Panther Valley resident, PV graduate, and father of two PV alumni, brings deep community roots and dedication to education. A small-business owner and former youth basketball coach, he’s served two years on the school board with integrity and transparency. With 27 years of local work experience, Ryan is committed to student success, supporting teachers, and making responsible decisions that strengthen Panther Valley schools and the entire community.

How the board should maintain a healthy fund balance versus using those funds to reduce the need for tax increases: The board’s approach should be to prioritize a responsible and transparent fund balance strategy preserving enough to handle emergencies while identifying strategic opportunities to use those funds to offset burdens on taxpayers. It’s about balance: we must ensure fiscal health without sitting on reserves while classrooms go underfunded. I will advocate for smart investments that generate long-term benefits for our students and staff without raising taxes unnecessarily.

How you will support continued student growth, particularly as measured by state assessment tests: To raise achievement, we need strong teaching, better resources, and direct support for struggling students. Test scores matter, but they don’t tell the whole story. I support expanding tutoring, mentoring, and after-school help especially in reading and math. We also must advocate for fairer state support, ensuring our students aren’t left behind simply because of their zip code.

How you will balance the increasing costs of facility maintenance with the financial impact on taxpayers: Preventative maintenance is more cost-effective than emergency repairs, so I support long-term planning and energy-efficient upgrades that save money over time. Securing maintenance equipment in proper facilities, such as garages, will also help extend its life and reduce future costs. I’ll pursue state and federal funding, as well as community partnerships, to lessen the burden on taxpayers, because our students deserve safe, well-maintained schools without putting extra strain on families.

Your top priorities if elected:

• Improving academic outcomes by supporting teachers and classroom innovation.

• Advocating for increased state funding to address inequities in our district.

• Securing fair compensation and professional development for our staff.

• Ensuring that financial decisions, whether related to staffing, facilities, or technology are strategic, sustainable, and centered on student success.

I believe we can make progress without placing more strain on families, I will work every day to deliver results our students and community deserve.

Shawn J. Hoben

Town: Summit Hill

Background: As a lifelong Panther Valley resident, I’m seeking reelection to the school board to continue advocating for our students, supporting educators, and ensuring fiscal responsibility. As fire chief of Diligence Fire Company No. 1, I bring proven leadership and dedication to our community. On the board, I’ve prioritized student achievement, safety, and strong programs. I believe great schools build great communities, and I’m committed to building on the progress we’ve made together.

How the board should maintain a healthy fund balance versus using those funds to reduce the need for tax increases: The board should strike a balance between maintaining a healthy fund balance and minimizing tax increases. A strong fund balance ensures financial stability, supports emergency needs, and preserves the district’s credit rating. However, excessive reserves may indicate missed opportunities to ease taxpayer burdens. The board should regularly evaluate fiscal needs, long-term plans, and community priorities to determine when it’s appropriate to use reserves, ensuring transparency and sustainability in financial decision-making. Responsible stewardship is key.

How you will support continued student growth, particularly as measured by state assessment tests: To support student growth on state tests, I will focus on making sure teachers have the tools they need to help students succeed. This includes using test data to find where students need help and giving extra support when needed. I will support programs that help students build strong reading and math skills. Working with teachers and families, we can make sure all students have the chance to improve and do well on state tests.

How you will balance the increasing costs of facility maintenance with the financial impact on taxpayers: To balance rising facility maintenance costs with the impact on taxpayers, I will support long-term planning that prioritizes the most urgent repairs and improvements. I’ll work to find cost-saving measures, explore grants or state funding, and ensure transparency in spending. Regular maintenance can prevent larger, more expensive issues later. By being careful with budgets, we can keep schools safe and functional without placing too much burden on taxpayers.

Your top priorities if elected: If reelected to the school board, my top priorities will be supporting student achievement, especially in reading and math, improving performance on state tests, and ensuring all students have what they need to succeed. I’ll also focus on keeping schools safe, maintaining strong communication with families, and using tax dollars wisely. I want to continue working with teachers, parents, and the community to make decisions that help all students learn and grow

Kim Laird

Town: Nesquehoning

Background: I moved to Panther Valley from New Jersey. With a B.A. in English education (Albright ‘85) and M.Ed./Reading Specialist Certification (Lehigh ‘87), I began teaching English 7 at Panther Valley in 1985. My role expanded to English 8, Career Readiness, HS/college-level courses. I’ve advised 16 extracurriculars and served on boards for Stonehedge Gardens, Everhart Museum, and International Jugglers’ Association (Chairman 4 yrs., $1M budget). More info: https://klairdjuglntchr.wixsite.com/laird-4-pv-school.

How the board should maintain a healthy fund balance versus using those funds to reduce the need for tax increases: Thanks to Mr. Walck, business manager, Panther Valley is in a healthier state with our fund balance than we have been in the past. The fund balance is a safety net against emergencies and economic downturns, and which can prevent large tax increases. The board must balance using these funds to avoid tax hikes with maintaining financial stability. This requires strategic analysis, considering alternatives like reallocating funds or applying for grants before dipping into reserves.

How you will support continued student growth, particularly as measured by state assessment tests: To improve outcomes, we need to reevaluate our benchmark testing approach. We must move beyond excessive testing and embrace genuine instruction focused on basic skills and concepts in addition to text-dependent analysis which requires original student thinking. Research suggests that over-testing increases stress and lowers scores, while well-designed teacher-created assessments improve retention. We must enhance support programs like tutoring.

Parental involvement is crucial. Engaged parents who support their child’s education significantly contribute to their success.

How you will balance the increasing costs of facility maintenance with the financial impact on taxpayers: Maintaining clean, healthy, and safe school facilities is crucial. Two important programs for facility maintenance are the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program, which funds urgent building infrastructure upgrades like roofs and HVAC, and the Public School Environmental Repairs Grant, which addresses environmental hazards like lead and asbestos. The Keystone Communities Program and the Neighborhood Assistance Program are programs that can also assist with facility maintenance. Utilizing resources can help the board manage rising costs.

Your top priorities if elected: I’m running for School Board because I care about every student and every staff member within Panther Valley School District and, if elected, it will allow me to continue to support Panther Valley students, staff, and families. The students are my top priority; for the sake of our students my focus is on improving discipline, classroom resources, curriculum efficiency, staffing, and school-community communication to ensure student safety and success. Find more information at https://klairdjuglntchr.wixsite.com/laird-4-pv-school

George Ruzicka

Town Summit Hill

Background: I am a 1982 graduate of Panther Valley. A life long resident of the area. I successfully operated my own local business for 18 years. I think that experience will help me with this position. I look forward to helping serve the community.

How the board should maintain a healthy fund balance versus using those funds to reduce the need for tax increases: You have to maintain a healthy rainy day fund to provide a safety net to mitigate the need for tax increases and also be transparent with the community about the financial situations the school faces.

How you will support continued student growth, particularly as measured by state assessment tests: Start by supporting educators with supplemental materials and providing students with examples of specific concepts that will be on the state tests.

How you will balance the increasing costs of facility maintenance with the financial impact on taxpayers: You have to prioritize your needs by identifying maintenance needs versus unneeded upgrades. Focus on implementing preventive maintenance programs to prevent costly repairs.

Your top priorities if elected: To provide a safe and healthy place of education for teachers and students without putting the burden on the taxpayers of the community.

Ronnie Yuricheck

Town: Summit Hill

Background: I was born and raised in Summit Hill dedicating my life to serving the community my entire life. I have been a firefighter with the Summit Hill Fire Department for 32 years currently serving as assistant chief. I also work for the Summit Hill borough as work leader/ supervisor of public works for 12 years, Always putting the needs of the community first.

How the board should maintain a healthy fund balance versus using those funds to reduce the need for tax increases: I believe it is the school board’s job to maintain a healthy fund balance including the upkeep of facilities and emergencies that should arise through out the year, while keeping the students on the cutting edge of technology. By lobbying with state senators and representatives to keep our school adequately funded, we can sustain that healthy fund balance while keeping the tax increases at none or a minimum.

How you will support continued student growth, particularly as measured by state assessment tests: By lobbying with senators and representatives to keep our funding that the children deserve, we can invest in student growth by giving the teachers the tools needed for our students to succeed and meet or exceed all state testing standards.

How you will balance the increasing costs of facility maintenance with the financial impact on taxpayers: While maintaining a strong fund balance and investing in the future of our schools, by seeking grants for new buildings to replace antiquated facilities that require increased maintenance, we can keep any unnecessary financial impact on the taxpayers of the community.

Your top priorities if elected: If elected, I will work with the current board members to keep our school district moving forward while challenging frivolous spending to keep financial burdens of the taxpayers to a minimum. I am excited to be a part of the future of Panther Valley.