Politics & Government

Meet School Board Candidate Kathleen D. Parsons

Kathie Parsons is among eight candidates running in the Southern Lehigh school board May 2013 primary.

 

Kathleen D. "Kathie" Parsons

Age: 55

Family: Husband Tom, sons Ted and Alex and daughter Joyce

Political party affiliation: Democrat

Tell us about your educational background: AAS degree in Natural Resources, Delaware Technical and Community College

Tell us about your professional/business background: former Technician with the USDA Soil Conservation Service, former Advanced Director with The Pampered Chef, currently work at Southern Lehigh Public Library as the Patron Database Manager and Circulation desk clerk since 2005.

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Why are you running for school board?

After many years of attending School Board meetings, I've decided it's time to become an active participant. The 1:1 lap-top lease was a tipping point but I had been considering it for quite sometime. I finally realized that I needed to take the advice I always give my kids and to step out of my comfort zone and do something a little scary because it's important.

What qualifies you to serve on the board? 

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I have been a very active community member since we moved to Coopersburg almost 16 years ago. I've been a PTA president, president of Southern Lehigh Music Parents, held leadership roles in both Boy and Girl Scouts and work at Southern Lehigh Community Library where I have daily contact with people in our community.  I have also served on several District wide committees since 2008 including the Strategic Planning Committees and am a current member of the Act 48 committee.

What do you see as the boards primary role and responsibilities?

The School Boards role is to improve the education of the students and to secure adequate funding for the students education and facilities, including its staff.

Tell us about 3 major challenges facing the school district and how you would address them. (Please be as specific as possible):

1)  Quality of education - Continue to train our teachers so that they are capable of doing the best possible job of teaching each child. The solution is to make in-service and Academy days as productive as possible according to the teachers needs. Technology is key in education today but teachers and students must be fully trained and comfortable using these tools.    

2) Keeping our budget in check with the looming crisis with the Pennsylvania School Educators Retirement System (PSERS) ahead of us - The only recourse is to keep a reasonable fund balance to offset future problems while maintaining low spending.
    3)  Data driven decisions and communication on issues that involve education are not as good as they should be.  In the recent past, more laptops then needed were purchased and a much loved foreign language program was cut without much weight given to staff, students or parents input.  Communication needs to be improved between all groups. Because I am involved in community activities I know what many people think about education matters and because I am interested in education, I often research strategies of what works. I look forward to working with other Board members and Administration on these challenges.

How much are you spending to run? How is your campaign being funded?  I am spending less then $400.

What, if any, endorsements have you received? 

I have not been officially endorsed by any organization.

Do you use social media? If so, please provide links to your Facebook and Twitter. facebook.com/KParsonsForSchoolBoard   My website: https://sites.google.com/site/voteparsons/


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