Asian Americans for Change Fund Pennsylvania
School Board Candidate Survey Results
LOWER MORELAND
PATRICIA BALITZKY
1. What experience do you have that has prepared you to be on the School Board?
I have business management experience, legal compliance experience, and experience as a Trustee on the executive board for the Huntingdon Valley Library.
2. What do you think is the most pressing issue facing our school district right now?
Our most pressing issue in Lower Moreland is the district’s academic performance and ranking. Lower Moreland school district has a long reputation for academic excellence, but in recent years has been swiftly falling in rankings. It is pertinent that we wisely use tax dollars to support programs that support and improve student academic performance.
3. Do you think schools should be maintained as sensitive locations for all students regardless of immigration status?
Yes, schools should be maintained as sensitive locations for all students regardless of immigration status. School District buildings must be a safe space for all children and staff.
4. Do you believe all students should have access to public education, regardless of immigration status?
Yes, all students in the United States should have access to public education . All students who reside in Lower Moreland school district have the right to be educated and attend LMTSD, regardless of immigration status.
5. Do you think school discipline is best handled by the principal’s office and school staff or by police officers in schools?
Policy violations should be handled by School Administrators and they should seek a partnership with parents and guardians to set the student on a better path.
6. Do you support sex education classes in our schools?
Yes, youth of appropriate age should be educated about their bodies and reproductive processes.
7. Do you believe it is important to teach all people’s histories in schools, including those of African, Asian, Latine, Native American, and European descent?
Yes. It is crucial in US History to teach students about all groups who have made their way to North America and shaped our country. It is also necessary to teach world history, including major events from all continents. Our students must be given the knowledge of all that has transpired before them, both in the US and globally, and how it has shaped our world today.
DAVID LITT
1. What experience do you have that has prepared you to be on the School Board?
As a physician business owner, along with my partners, we often deal with budgetary issues while also needing to maintain quality of care for our patients. I believe there’s a strong parallel between that and being a school board director.
2. What do you think is the most pressing issue facing our school district right now?
The biggest current challenge in the lower Moreland school district is maintaining/upgrading our original middle school building. When the new high school was built, the expectation was that the old middle school could be taken out of service. Since we need to use the old middle school for class space, we have many more financial obligations than expected.
3. Do you think schools should be maintained as sensitive locations for all students regardless of immigration status?
Our schools should absolutely be maintained as sensitive locations for students, irrespective of immigration status. That is more imperative now than ever.
4. Do you believe all students should have access to public education, regardless of immigration status?
Yes, public education is an equalizer for students while backgrounds. Anyone living in this country should have access to that education.
5. Do you think school discipline is best handled by the principal’s office and school staff or by police officers in schools?
School discipline should be handled by the principal and staff. The place are generally not trained to handle those issues. Educators are the ones familiar with the multitude of psychosocial issues that children have to manage.
6. Do you support sex education classes in our schools?
Yes. Teaching sexual education in schools is and opportunity to provide an objective understanding for all students. Leaving that entirely up to society in general is bound to result in major gaps/bias in children’s understanding of sexual development, sexual orientation, STIs, pregnancy, etc.
7. Do you believe it is important to teach all people’s histories in schools, including those of African, Asian, Latine, Native American, and European descent?
Yes. It is important that students understand their own history as well as that of their peers. That can lead to mutual respect among students. It is also an opportunity for everyone to learn from our mistakes as a country.
ERSKINE PAYTON
1. What experience do you have that has prepared you to be on the School Board?
My formal education and technical expertise opened opportunities to work in a variety of sectors including in a K-12 School District in Washington DC, at a philanthropic organization focused on education innovation and piloting community centered programming across the globe. My marine corps experience has served as guide on how to become a great leader. As a successful independent contractor, I managed budgets, contracts, as well as personnel.
2. What do you think is the most pressing issue facing our school district right now?
Our school district needs to continue the work to increase and maintain student academic achievement and supportive services. Providing access and developing an understanding of new technologies – i.e. AI and Education; college access programming beyond AP classes; new linkages to career tech programs leading to dual certification are some of my key focus areas for the district. Lastly, a focus on maintaining and improving school facilities across the district.
3. Do you think schools should be maintained as sensitive locations for all students regardless of immigration status?
Yes. Keeping schools as “sensitive locations” aligns with my goals of protecting children's health and safety, protecting students’ individual rights, and a fostering inclusive, supportive learning environment. This helps reduce social inequalities and promotes equal opportunities for success.
4. Do you believe all students should have access to public education, regardless of immigration status?
Yes. Ensuring access to public education is one of our constitutional rights for students regardless of immigration status. Upholding these rights benefits individuals, communities, and society. Education is widely recognized as a fundamental human right. Denying any child access to public education undermines this basic right.
5. Do you think school discipline is best handled by the principal’s office and school staff or by police officers in schools?
School discipline is generally considered to be best handled by the principal’s office and trained school staff rather than police officers and/or school safety officers in schools.
6. Do you support sex education classes in our schools?
Yes, I support age-appropriate sex education classes in schools. Comprehensive sex education plays a crucial role in promoting the health, well-being, and informed decision-making of students.
7. Do you believe it is important to teach all people’s histories in schools, including those of African, Asian, Latine, Native American, and European descent?
Yes, it is very important to teach the histories of all people in schools. Teaching diverse histories provides students with a fuller, richer, and more accurate understanding of the past, present and future. Understanding how different cultures shaped society is a foundational learning experience which leads to fostering respect, empathy, and appreciation for people from different backgrounds leading to a reduction of prejudice, stereotypes and bias.