Upping Student Achievement, Improving Communication Goals for Newcomer

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. 

WENDY KEPHART, 42, a 12-year Horsham resident, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and a minor in Mathematics from Penn State.

She has served seven years on the Simmons Elementary School Home and School Association’s executive board. Of that, she served three years as co-president, two years as co-vice president and two years as newsletter editor. 

Kephart, who works as a preschool teacher assistant, is also a Girl Scout leader, as well as a softball and soccer coach and a classroom volunteer. 

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

I care deeply about public education. I’m a parent of two school district children and have volunteered at the school for nine years. I understand the changing educational needs of children and have experience working in teams on complex projects with tight budgets. I also have strategic planning experience.

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

Falling student achievement; tight budgets; lack of communication and transparency

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

I support curriculum that challenges students on the appropriate level for learning abilities without everyone being taught to the same standardized test.  

New sets of eyes can help ensure we keep programs that interest/excite all students. 

More two-way communication with parents and taxpayers via discussion groups and surveys is needed.

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? 

A job was created for a board member’s family member AND NEVER publicly posted. It is a position that an outside firm STILL IS paid to do.

All open positions need to be publicly posted, with complete job descriptions. The hiring process should include nameless resume screening and multiple interviews. 

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

Yes, there should be an anti-nepotism policy. We need to make sure we get the best possible person for every job. This is not a private company spending its own money. This is a public school spending our tax dollars.

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

Education is changing and school buildings must support this. The district faces a long-term challenge as facilities age. A long-term plan must take into account the projected student population and the condition of buildings. These are important, expensive decisions which need valuable community input.

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

We need to educate our children successfully and cost-effectively. There is real value in having neighborhood schools: within walking distance, smaller setting, sense of community, etc. This can’t just be looked at as a dollars and cents issue.

Anything else you’d like to add?

The school board shouldn’t be a political battleground. It should be a group of people striving to ensure our future generations are being educated to the best of our abilities. Having a school district with a good reputation increases the value of our homes but most importantly increases children’s success.