Asian Americans for Change Fund Pennsylvania
School Board Candidate Survey Results
WISSAHICKON
NOEL KELLY
1. What experience do you have that has prepared you to be on the School Board?
I have ~15 years in academic medicine (Jefferson, UPENN and Stanford Schools of Medicine) and over 25 years in biotech/pharma. I’ve managed very large, complex portfolios of projects and budgets in the billions. I care deeply about access to education for everyone.
2. What do you think is the most pressing issue facing our school district right now?
One of the most pressing issues for schools right now is funding. There has been a clear increase in the demand for services and I believe the schools have been historically under funded. Balancing the demand for quality services with a shrinking budget is a challenge.
3. Do you think schools should be maintained as sensitive locations for all students regardless of immigration status?
Yes, I think schools and the surrounding areas should be a safe harbor for all students regardless of immigration status. We need to think holistically about the needs of children and society regardless of some arbitrary national boundary drawn on a piece of paper. As a country, I’d rather be known for our compassion than cruelty.
4. Do you believe all students should have access to public education, regardless of immigration status?
Yes, I think everyone deserves access to a quality public education regardless of immigration status. We need to think holistically about the needs of children and society regardless of some arbitrary national boundary drawn on a piece of paper. Remember, immigrants pay taxes and positively contribute to the economic fabric too.
5. Do you think school discipline is best handled by the principal’s office and school staff or by police officers in schools?
I think it depends on what the issue is. If it’s minor than the teacher should handle it. If it’s disrupting the classroom learning, then sending the student to the principal is better for the most people in the class. I’m not a fan of Police being present in schools but I understand it’s needed in today’s environment. I would only use a police officer for discipline if a law is being broken.
6. Do you support sex education classes in our schools?
Yes, I think it’s an important part of the science curriculum. I think it should be age appropriate and if parents could be given ample warning to support the continued education at home.
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, I think it’s important to teach FULL history with everyone’s contributions. Teaching a white washed version is not fact based and that is wrong. We need to provide enough context to the students so they can determine what is right and wrong and how to further develop a better society. Teach them how to think, not what to think.
DEANNE MOYER MORRIS
1. What experience do you have that has prepared you to be on the School Board?
While I don’t think any one experience or profession prepares you to be a good school board candidate, there are certain qualities that are important. You need time, energy, and a passion to serve every child in the community along with the ability to ignore the noise so you can do what’s best for students and teachers. I have served for 4 years on the board and am proud of my record and the experience that I’ve gained while serving.What experience do you have that has prepared you to be on the School Board?
2. What do you think is the most pressing issue facing our school district right now?
Funding is the obvious answer, and we continue to fight at a federal and state level by advocating with our representatives. But more locally, ideological differences are a very pressing matter. Some Rs want God back in school and this idea of an “America First” curriculum, which is not in the best interest of most students. Public schools need to be free from religion and bias to maintain integrity.
3. Do you think schools should be maintained as sensitive locations for all students regardless of immigration status?
100% yes. All kids should feel safe in schools.
4. Do you believe all students should have access to public education, regardless of immigration status?
Absolutely. Federal and state laws are clear that all students, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to a free, public education. I personally believe that educating all children in the community is the duty of society and the right thing to do.
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 best handled by the principal’s office and school staff. There is good evidence that police officers don’t make schools safer, but rather black and brown children are more harshly punished. There is one police officer employed currently by WSD due to community demand, and I have mixed feelings about that.
6. Do you support sex education classes in our schools?
Yes, I believe teaching sex education is important so all students have an understanding of their own bodies and sexuality. Respecting other people and their bodies goes along with that, and while every parent can choose what they share with their child in accordance with their own beliefs, school should provide an unbiased, science-based curriculum with regards to health and sex.
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. Different perspectives teach empathy and critical thinking. Having an educated population who understand different perspectives makes society better.
DAN STRAUSS
1. What experience do you have that has prepared you to be on the School Board?
I was an education major in college, and I have 2 kids in the district – 1st and 3rd grade at Stony Creek. I’m personally invested in my children and their friends/classmates having the best possible educational experience that we can provide as a district. I’ve also been the Chairman of the Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters Montgomery County for the last 5 years, and previously served on the Advisory Board for Life Science Cares Philadelphia.
2. What do you think is the most pressing issue facing our school district right now?
There is a saying in sports that it’s “easier to win a championship than it is to stay at the top after you win” and I think that applies to Wissahickon. We have a terrific district, but we need to keep building on that to stay at the top. In my opinion the top issues for WSD are budget-related: larger class sizes equals more staff and resources needed, aging facilities like the high school will require costly upgrades, and new technology will require more investment in our current/future students. I think the school board can and will find creative ways to get more money/funding into our district.
3. Do you think schools should be maintained as sensitive locations for all students regardless of immigration status?
Yes I do. Unless the student is some sort of violent offender, I see no reason why ICE would need to come on school grounds. The trauma caused to students and teachers from ICE’s violent methods would should be reason enough to keep schools as a sensitive location, regardless of how I feel about federal immigration policy.
4. Do you believe all students should have access to public education, regardless of immigration status?
Yes I do. I’m tired of the excuse of “that’s not where I want my tax dollars to go” from the other side. Their tax dollars right now are going to millionaires, corporations, and their investors. If a few kids who are not citizens are using my tax dollars to better themselves and their families, and potentially get access to the only regular food in their daily life… great! I’d rather the money go to those kids (regardless of immigration status) than a billionaire or a multi-national corporation.
5. Do you think school discipline is best handled by the principal’s office and school staff or by police officers in schools?
I think there are situations which could call for both, and I would hope that the school staff and local police would be working in-tandem already. My preference would always be for the school staff, including the principals,` to try to address things first, but if it was a scenario with a weapon in the school or a serious threat, I would prefer the police act on it first.
6. Do you support sex education classes in our schools?
I do. I think that there are areas including gender which can be confusing for younger kids, and I’m sensitive to that. However, I think it’s important to keep in mind all of the outside influences in our kids lives: social media, TV/Streaming, texting, etc it is far more important that they receive their sexual education IN school from an approved curriculum rather than picking things up along the way from non-vetted sources and rumors.
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 of course. I’m very proud of Wissahickon’s new push to embrace and educate about the diversity of the different cultures of our residents and students. My daughters recently learned about Diwali, and my wife will be leading the session on Hannukah. I also think it’s extremely important for our kids to learn African history (including the USA’s participation in the slave trade), Latin/South American History, Native American History (including some of the USA’s barbaric tactics at the time), and European History (including the Holocaust).