Five seats on the Tamaqua Area School District board of directors are up for grabs in Tuesday’s general election. Republicans Larry Wittig and Daniel Schoener, Democrats Jessica Tirpak and Samuel John Koch, and cross-filed candidates Melanie Dillman, Trina Schellhammer and Thomas Bartasavage Jr., are the seven individuals vying for a seat.

Trina Schellhammer

Why are you running for school board: Even though school boards are often targeted for ridicule, I know in my heart that this is where I can help to make a difference in protecting the future of our country. Both of my children already graduated which shows I don’t have a personal agenda to only fight for my own kids, but for all those who live in our community. I’m also a taxpayer who insists on fiscal responsibility.

What are your three main priorities if elected: I will always stand up for what I feel is right and not just submit to the pressure of having to make decisions that go against my core values or beliefs. I will require fiscal accountability from our administrators and will review financial information in every aspect of district spending. I will work with board members and administrators to serve our community with integrity and transparency.

How will you work to balance the district with escalating costs and funding challenges: Charter schools have a financially devastating impact on our local districts. These schools advertise they are “free,” but neglect to mention they collect thousands of dollars from the student’s home district. If charter schools continue to draw students away, there is no possibility that any public school can continue to balance their budgets without raising the taxes needed to make ends meet. We can continue to cut elsewhere, but there is a point where receiving a quality education is sacrificed.

Bullying has been an issue in every district for years. What steps does the district need to take to address it: I feel there is a lack of respect for both peers and authority, and there is less of an understanding of what is right and wrong. Kids who are feeling bullied need to know they can come to a teacher for help. Bullies need to be made aware what they are doing is unacceptable and be held accountable. Parents need to work together with the schools to acknowledge the problem and help stop this behavior.

Jessica Tirpak

Why are you running for school board: I felt it was time to break up the current “good ole’ boys” club, and time to start holding individuals accountable for either their inaction on certain things or their gross overreach for power on other issues. We find it laughable that this current school board believes they can justify the exorbitant salary of the current superintendent (more than $150,000), when the median household income for Tamaqua is a little more than $46,000.

What are your three main priorities if elected: Ensure that the students of the school district receive a quality education in a safe environment. Modify the current dress code. Implement a district policy to ensure candidates are hired based off of their qualifications, and not their last name (anti-nepotism policy).

How will you work to balance the district with escalating costs and funding challenges: It starts with those we elect to represent us in Harrisburg. The current formula used for public school funding in Pennsylvania has been ruled unconstitutional by the courts, and is further exacerbated by the antiquated property tax system that districts rely on. Therefore a major change needs to come from the state. Locally, we as school board need to do or due diligence yearly while preparing our budgets, and also while negotiating contracts.

Bullying has been an issue in every district for years. What steps does the district need to take to address it: First, the schools must be properly staffed with professionals that cannot only diagnose but also assist in the treatment of those individuals suffering from mental health issues. Further, the school district needs to properly investigate incidents of bullying, protect those who are found to be victims of such incidents, and hold those accountable who are responsible for the acts regardless of who they are.

Samuel John Koch

Why are you running for school board: I believe and feel that it is time for a change. We have the same people on the school board for years now. It is time for new people and new ideas. Our world today is changing at a very fast pace. Some of it is good and some of it is not so good. I believe we need to adapt and help children to adapt to the changes that are coming in this world.

What are your three main priorities if elected: Cut wasteful spending. I would increase the pay for our teacher aids and teachers. Our administrators do not need to be making over $100,000 a year. We need to bring in more counselors. Children today have a lot more to deal with than the children of the past. If we had more counselors, it would be more outlets for children to be able to go talk to them and stop a problem before it happens.

How will you work to balance the district with escalating costs and funding challenges: The cost of everything has gone up. Our economy is not in a good place right now. I do believe in Tamaqua we have an administrator building that could be sold. We have a football clubhouse that could be sold. We also have administrators that I believe make way too much money for the Tamaqua school district. The pay of certain positions within the district need to be restructured for the area we live in.

Bullying has been an issue in every district for years. What steps does the district need to take to address it: I go back to bringing in more counselors and after-school programs for our children. Bringing in more counselors, even a therapist to the school, to let the children know that they are accessible at all times, would help a lot. We could stop the violence by having the counselors and the teachers working together. When they hear of a problem, they get the students in the same room with the counselors, and work it out.