Fiscally Responsible Facility Upgrades Top Issue for Incumbent

Ten candidates are vying for five seats on the Republican-controlled Hatboro-Horsham School Board.

Patch will post profiles on each candidate running for school board in alphabetical order by last name. 

ERIC COOMBS, 54, a Horsham resident since 1985, graduated from Northeastern University with a B.S. in finance in 1982.

He has served on the Horsham Planning Commission for more than 10 years. He served previously served on the Hatboro-Horsham School Board for 3.5 years. Coombs has been president and chairman of the board of the ETC Foundation since its inception two years ago. 

What best qualifies you for a term on the Hatboro-Horsham School Board?

My past experience on the Hatboro-Horsham School Board will allow me to hit the ground running. Along with my negotiation skills, being a business owner affords me a unique understanding of financial matters required to provide the best education possible at a responsible price.

What do you see as the big issues facing the district?

Upgrade of our facilities in a fiscally responsible manner without burdening the taxpayers of Hatboro-Horsham. Also incorporating the core curriculum being instituted by the state while ensuring that our students still learn the skills necessary for critical thinking, problem solving and independent thinking.

If elected, how would you work to handle those issues?

By working with the superintendent, administration, teachers and other school board members to make that our priority.

The appearance of nepotism seems to have been at play in at least one recent district hiring. How would you work to find and consider the best candidates?

I think the current administration has done a good job at hiring the best talent that is available and nepotism has not been issue.

Should the district enact anti-nepotism legislation? Why or why not?

I don’t see this as a major issue. Why would we want to exclude any qualified individual from helping our children get the best education possible?

What’s your vision for the new Hallowell Elementary School? 

I think I will reserve my vision on the facilities issue until I take office and really examine all of the possibilities and costs.  

Should the district relocate students from under-utilized schools to the new school, or maintain the same number of elementary schools?

This is a issue that has been going on for a while as the district tries to keep all of the schools open and utilized. So until we really take a hard look at our facilities I think this practice will have to remain.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Not at this time.