Candidate Profile: Alana Hardison For Bensalem School Board

Alana Hardison is a candidate for the Bensalem School Board.

Age (as of Election Day): 34

Party Affiliation: Democratic

Family: My wonderful husband's name is Kevin Stokes(34). We have three amazing children who attend Bensalem public schools. Keaton(15) is involved in marching band and Valley AA soccer. Austin(6) loves dance class and Valley AA soccer/baseball. Arya(5) is always excited to go to ballet, tap, and tumbling class!

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No family members work in politics or government.

Education: My husband and I are Bensalem graduates. I attended Valley and Struble Elementary Schools, Armstrong Middle School, and Bensalem High School '04. I graduated with honors from The Ohio State University in 2008 with a B.F.A in Dance.

Occupation: I am a dance teacher at Dance Action of Newtown for 10 years. I choreographed Bensalem High School drama club's musical for 4 years and Bensalem Parks and Recreation drama camp for 1 year.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: No previous or current elected office.

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/Hardi...
https://www.bensalemdemocratic...

Why are you seeking elective office?

Our children have the capacity to change the world for the better. When elected, I will do whatever is within my power to support all children with equity in mind. I will support the teachers and staff who have so much influence on how our children see the world. My priority in life is to serve my community, be the change I want to see, and support the most marginalized among us.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Communication between administration, the public, teachers, and students has been a challenge. Bensalem is extremely diverse for many reasons. Class, culture, race, and religion play a major role in how information is received. We must do a better job of making important information accessible to all families. Translating information into multiple languages, hiring diverse teachers and staff, and asking the public what they need from the district are ways in which we can build a cohesive community.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Current Bensalem School Board Director, Vanessa Woods, is the only Black person on the board. Her term is complete and she will not be running again. Bensalem is the most racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse township in Bucks County. Our school board should reflect the citizens it serves. As the only Black Woman running, I hope to be a much-needed voice for Bensalem's School Board. With three children that are currently in Bensalem public schools, I have a vested interest in making sure my children and their peers have the best experience possible.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Trust needs to be rebuilt through accessible communication and transparency. This past year has been trying for everyone. The lack of communication between the school district and families left many people in limbo when it comes to childcare. Being decisive and following through with action plans allows families, teachers, and staff the structure needed to make the best decisions for their families. Transparency and accessible communication are the clearest paths to trust.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Excellence and Equity in Education, Proactive Planning and Fiscal Accountability, and Federal/State Funding are my other platform issues. Achievement for all students does not look the same. Different pathways for students can lead to amazing outcomes. Understanding the needs of our students and properly supporting our teachers will bridge the education gaps seen in our testing and studies that have been done. Planning for the future instead of only worrying about immediate challenges will help our teachers and parents understand where our district is headed. We must outline long-term goals that align with the needs of all students. While being proactive, we must also create budgets that fund bridging the education gap. Grant writing and other forms of sponsorship should also be a priority. Holding Harrisburg and DC accountable for the inequitable funding formulas that negatively impact our schools is extremely important. Educating the community about how their taxes are working for our children and how the state/federal government can help is the first step to positive change.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I currently teach dance to children ages 8-18 at Dance Action of Newtown. I choreographed the Bensalem High School musicals for the past 4 years and was Assistant Director of the Snyder/Shafer drama club last year. During the summer of 2019, I choreographed Bensalem Parks and Recreation’s production of “Frozen.” It has been a privilege to develop the talent of our wonderful Bucks County youth. During the 2014-2015 school year, I worked as a Therapeutic Staff Support worker at Solis-Cohen Elementary School. I was a Target manager for eight years. My responsibilities included but were not limited to scheduling, hiring needs, disciplinary action, customer service, and employee relations. Conflict resolution and taking initiative were always positive highlights during my yearly reviews. With my managerial skills, understanding of what it takes to support marginalized students, and passion for the arts, I believe I would bring a unique perspective to Bensalem’s School Board.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"Be yourself; your voice is always needed at the table."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a member of the Bucks County NAACP, Lower Bucks for Change, Bucks Tenant Solidarity, Building a Better Bensalem Together, Linconia/Concord Park Historical Association, and Bensalem School District’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.