Sample Ballots are Available!

Sample ballots for the May 19th primary election are now available on the Montgomery County voter services website (see the link below). For the Methacton School Board (5 open seats), there are 12 candidates on the Democratic ballot and 11 candidates on the Republican ballot. The C.A.R.E. candidates are on both ballots at the following button numbers: Democratic ballot – Boardman (D10), Ryan (D17), Aubrey-Larcinese (D18), Rees (D19); Republican ballot – Boardman (J10), Aubrey-Larcinese (J14), Rees (J17), Ryan (J18). On May 19th, you will have the opportunity to vote for up to 5 candidates. The 5 candidates that receive the most votes for each party will be on the November general election ballot. Even though you could vote for 5 school board candidates, please keep in mind that you can also choose to vote for ONLY the 4 C.A.R.E. candidates. As always, we thank you for your support!!!

Voter Services Montgomery County, PA

WEBAPP.MONTCOPA.ORG

Why We're Bipartisan

Some have observed that there is little to no discussion of our political affiliation on this page or on our web page (http://care4msb.blogspot.com). This is intentional. School Director positions require non-partisan decision making and, as a result, PA law allows candidates to cross-file as both Republican and Democratic candidates. Accordingly, when you vote on May 19th, you will have the opportunity to vote for the C.A.R.E. candidates whether you are a registered Republican or a registered Democrat. However, since some have asked, the C.A.R.E. candidates are a bi-partisan group committed to bringing a new perspective to the Methacton Board. If elected, we will not bring any obligations to any of the local political committees to the table. We will make decisions that balance the interests of all Methacton stakeholders, including students, parents, taxpayers, teachers and administrators, without partisan bias. The team of Boardman, Rees, Ryan, and Aubrey-Larcinese asks for your vote on May 19th and we thank you for your support!!!

Controlling Costs in the District

Like you, we are concerned with how our tax dollars are spent by Methacton. With the 2015-16 budget expected to exceed $100 million and with salaries, benefits and debt service comprising the majority of the district’s expenses, the Methacton board should be continuously challenging the administration to control costs. We see little evidence of this action in the current board’s discussions. Regarding expenditures, the board should be asking questions like: After multiple e-mails and website, text and phone notifications regarding the Worcester Township conditional use hearing for lights on the high school fields, why did the administration spend over $6,000 to mail a postcard with the same message contained in the no-cost communications? Why does the administration continue to request (and the Board approves) the engagement of consultants without first looking to school district residents who may have the required expertise and may be willing to provide assistance to the district at no cost? Why did the administration send letter (as opposed to e-mail) notifications to the applicants that were not selected to serve on the consolidation committee? Overall, someone needs to be consistently asking the question – is the spending necessary and if so, is it being done in the most cost-effective means possible? We will bring this new perspective to the Methacton Board. On May 19th, please vote for the team of Boardman, Rees, Ryan, and Aubrey-Larcinese. We thank you for your support!!!

Methacton's Budget Process

At its May 26th meeting, the Methacton Board is scheduled to adopt the proposed budget for the 2015-16 school year. For the first time ever, Methacton’s annual budget is expected to exceed $100 million. Even though the administration has been working on the budget for the majority of this school year, the information disclosed to date has been limited and has only included periodic disclosures of minimal information. Other local school districts hold budget workshops and provide cost center budget presentations and detail information as part of their budget processes. The Methacton Board seems to think that providing minimal information regarding the plan to spend over $100 million of taxpayer dollars is adequate. We disagree. It’s time for a new perspective on the Methacton School Board. On May 19th, please vote for the team of Boardman, Rees, Ryan, and Aubrey-Larcinese. We thank you for your support!!!

Ready for a new perspective?

Ready for a new perspective? Currently, Methacton Board and Committee meeting agendas are generally posted on the Methacton website only 24 hours or less in advance of a scheduled meeting. If there is an agenda topic of concern to any member of the public, this timeframe makes it difficult (if not impossible) to plan to attend the meeting to learn more about and/or comment on an agenda item. When asked to change this practice with respect to the proposed school consolidation, Dr. Zerbe responded – “We will communicate in a timely manner and will advise the community of matters relative to school consolidation as far in advance as possible.” On matters such as this, are “best efforts” acceptable? We don’t think so. If elected to the Methacton Board, we will endeavor to post public meeting agendas at least 3 days in advance to allow the public ample opportunity to decide whether they want to attend the meeting and to prepare accordingly. On May 19th, please vote for the team of Boardman, Rees, Ryan, and Aubrey-Larcinese. We thank you for your support!!!

Just 4 Weeks Until the Primary!

The primary election is less than 4 weeks away!!! For the first time in years, voters will have a choice at the polls with respect to all open seats on the board. To make an informed decision, we encourage all voters to get to know the candidates and to understand why a new perspective is needed on the Methacton School Board. To assist you in that effort, we have provided information on our candidates on this page and on our website. In the weeks leading up to the election, we will be providing some of our observations regarding the actions (and inactions) of the current Methacton board and administration and our plans to bring a new perspective. Please continue following us, encourage your Methacton friends and family to do so, and on May 19th, vote for the team of Boardman, Rees, Ryan and Aubrey-Larcinese! We thank you for your support!!!

What can you expect from the Community Advocates for Responsible Education??

BALANCE

Make decisions that balance the interests of all stakeholders (students, parents, taxpayers, teachers, & administrators) without partisan bias.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY  
Improve Methacton’s budget & financial review processes in an effort to grow non-tax revenues and intelligently reduce spending.

TRANSPARENCY
Become more proactive & responsive to address concerns of community to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent effectively and appropriately. 

COMMUNICATION 
Enhance communication and relationships with local community and township leadership.

EXCELLENCE
Restore Methacton School District’s reputation, to cultivate a desire to live in school district and pride in a Methacton education 

Vote for CARE on May 19th
Chris Boardman
Andrea Rees
Michael K. Ryan
Kim Aubrey-Larcinese

"Why I'm Running" -by Chris Boardman

     Running for Methacton School Board Director was not something I had consciously planned to do at this time, but after learning about the many issues that face our school system and our community, I realized that I had strong interest in these matters.   After giving this decision much thought, I realized that  I am at a point in my life where  I understand the importance of the board, both to the school system itself and the community at large, and I want to make a difference. 

     By now you have probably read what Michael, Andrea and Kim wrote about why they are running for Methacton School Board Director and you’re able to see why it was an easy decision for me to join forces with them to form the C.A.R.E. team.  For those of you who have read my bio, you may have noticed that issues concerning children and families have been the focus of my adult life, both professionally and personally.  I see being a school board director as an extension of this commitment. As a school board director, I would be able to help improve children’s education, making them more excited and confident as they go to college or start their careers, transitioning into young adulthood with quality values that will inspire those around them.

     Methacton School District is one of the largest employers in our community.  The fiscal health of the school system and the decisions it makes affect us all.   I would like to work to improve the board’s relationship with both Lower Providence and Worcester township residents so that we can work together instead of having long, drawn out, expensive legal battles over things such as lights and digital signs. Given that our board is in a leadership role in our school district and community, I think it’s time that the composition of the board incorporated new membership to reflect diversity of thought and experience, improved transparency and communication with the community,  careful study of relevant issues, and consideration of a broad range of solutions to a variety of problems .   Calling out a financial debt crisis in a letter to an editor is not being a leader; it’s simply looking for excuses.  A leader would approach that communication describing the school debt as a challenge and also provide solutions in the same communication. The other 499 Pennsylvania school districts have to deal with the same challenges including financial limitations, growing employee expenses, etc.   The current Methacton School Board has chosen to take an approach to these challenges that have created significant ill will with the community…that needs to change.

     When my wife and I bought our first home in Worcester Township 17 years ago, we specifically sought out Methacton School District as the ideal location to start and raise our family.  We plan to remain residents of this community for the rest of our lives and are committed to making positive contributions in whatever ways possible.  Please consider voting for me and my outstanding C.A.R.E. team running mates in the upcoming primary in May as well as in the general election in November.  Your votes for the school board director position will have a significant impact on our community for years to come, and I would very much like to be a part of positive change.

"Why I'm Running" -by Kim Aubrey-Larcinese

     The first person I asked to sign my petition to be on the ballot for the upcoming election is a friend of mine. Our children go to school together, and we’ve volunteered on Woodland’s Home and School together for a few years. But she completely threw me for a loop when she asked me one critical question: Why do you want to run for school board? 
     I knew on some level why I was doing this, but I hadn’t quite thought about how to articulate it, let alone share it with anyone. I’ve since had time to think it through, and what it comes down to is this: I am not a person who points to a problem and looks to others for solutions.
     I wasn’t always this person, but over the last 15 years, I’ve been married to a man who comes from a family of volunteers. If there was ever a job that needed someone to step up to do it, someone in his family was there to fill it. I’ve come to embrace this philosophy in my life.
     I’ve volunteered on several committees through Home and School and served as a member of the executive board. I’m a merit badge counselor for the local Boy Scouts and an active committee member with Troop 182. I’ve volunteered in various capacities with my sons’ baseball and soccer teams when there was a need that had to be filled. And now, as I’ve been paying closer attention to the workings of our school board, I’ve come to realize that this is another problem that needs solving, and I can’t look for someone else to step up to do that. 
     Our school district is the backbone of our community, and as such there needs to be strong connections between those schools and the people outside of them. When a community is invested in educating their children, schools flourish. My hope is to build partnerships between the schools and our community stakeholders – the businesses and residents who all have a vested interest in helping our children succeed. Education is not just a concern for the children in our schools and the parents of those children. It’s not just about the people inside the school buildings. There are untapped and inexpensive resources in our community – corporations and organizations that could benefit from partnering with our schools, older residents with valuable experiences and perspectives to share, and students who are not being offered every opportunity to succeed.

"Why I'm Running" -by Andrea Rees

     People have asked me repeatedly the last few weeks, “Are you sure you want to do this (meaning run for the Methacton Board of Directors)?” Obviously the answer is yes, but the why is the most important question. When writing a response I found two interesting statements I posted on Facebook.  
     One was from February 2014: Took my kids to their first board meeting tonight, more out of necessity than anything, but turned it into a civics and integrity lesson. They might not completely "get" it at ages 6 and 8, but I will raise them to be people who care, people that speak up and people who help others!!!! And more importantly to not take no for an answer or allow themselves to be complacent!!!! 
     Another was a year later:  A wise man, who was also my former boss, once told me, "to stay under the radar". He was giving me sage advice at that time in my life. Tonight my husband told me, "to stay calm, cool and collected". As most of you know, because you know me, I didn't heed to their advice. Half of me truly wishes that I did, the other half of me hasn't slept in 2 nights worrying about the state of education in our country, and in this case my own backyard.
     In between February 2014 and February 2015 I applied for both open school board positions that became available last spring. I was told an educator was not a good fit for the Methacton School Board…really? Methacton has a 99 million plus budget. Decisions need to be made that effect education, tax payers and the community as a whole, but an educator can’t help with those decisions? The majority of Montgomery County public school districts have at least one educator on their boards. Spring-Ford, Colonial and North Penn all think it is a good idea to have an educator to help make important financial decisions with an education perspective. I want to be that board member for Methacton.

Letter to the Times Herald

Our Times Herald Letter responding the President of the Methacton School Board was just published. Check it out!

"Why I'm Running" - by Michael Ryan

     I have had one question repeated again and again to me over the past month or so from family, friends, neighbors and complete strangers. That question is: why are you running for school board director? It seems like it would be a simple question that would require a relatively simple answer. However, that doesn't seem to be the case as my answer is never short. If I had to try and simplify it, my answer would be something like the following: "My motivation for running for school board director is that I want to serve my community in an area where I can use my dedication and experience to make a positive impact. I believe that our children's education is paramount to fostering a strong and successful community. If we can provide our children with the best education possible, their future success will resonate throughout our entire district."

     A belief or a vision of what I want for Methacton is nothing more than just a thought, unless there are goals to go along with it. My goals for running and being elected to the position of school board director all stem from those three quoted sentences above. There are many challenges currently facing our school district and I want to be a part of overcoming those obstacles. We have all heard that there are some tough financial times ahead with the possibility of large looming budget deficits. I want to use my experience in finance to help steer our district in the right direction. We need a strong financial plan in place that doesn't just look to either raise taxes or make broad budget cuts to entire programs or services. We need to look at ways to increase "non-tax" revenues. We also need to look at cuts to budgetary expenses that won't have undesirable effects on our children's education. 

     Another issue within our district is the lack of transparency and communication between the board, administration and the community. We have all heard the saying "communication is a two-way street." I believe that communication in our district is "currently under construction." There is not nearly enough information flowing from the board and administration regarding many of the current issues facing our district and there is virtually no communication allowed from the community back to the board or administration except for about 3 minutes of public comment per person at a once a month school board hearing. The formation of "consolidation committees" is not how a district should want to obtain community involvement. The community needs to be involved all the time not just during a process centered around closing a school.

     There are many more issues facing our district besides just the two mentioned above. However, just pointing out issues and challenges does no good for our children or our district Solutions are what make a difference and I want to be a part of making those solutions possible. I have already told one group of parents that my ultimate goal is to make sure that when our children receive their high school diploma from Methacton, I want it to be something that everyone is proud of and not simply just another piece of paper with their name on it.