Central Bucks Appoints 2 Democrats To Fill Open School Board Seats

DOYLESTOWN, PA ? The Central Bucks School Board on Monday night selected two Democrats to fill a pair of vacancies on the board, giving the Democrats 8-1 majority control of the district's governing body. The board's only Republican, James Pepper, did not attend the meeting.

Joining the board are Jenine Zdanowicz of Warwick Township and Rob Dugger of Warrington Township who were sworn in as the board's newest representatives from Regions 4 and 7. They will serve through 2025.

Ironically, Zdanowicz and Dugger will replace Republican board members Debra Cannon and Lisa Sciscio who they lost to in the 2021 school board election. Cannon and Sciscio resigned their seats in February over differences with the board majority and its newly appointed solicitor.

Nine candidates stepped forward to fill the seats, including Michael Antwi III, Michael Landis and William Steiner from Region 4 and Prakash Balraj, Bryan Crossland, Sean Matteo and Robert True Jr. from Region 7.

Prior to the vote, board president Karen Smith thanked the candidates for stepping forward.

?It?s been overwhelming. I feel like we have a wealth of options in front of us. It says a lot about our community that we have such fantastic choices,? said Smith, who encouraged candidates who weren?t selected to consider other ways of serving.

Board member Dana Foley added, ?We?re being tasked with what feels like a seemingly impossible
position. It?s not a great feeling to vote for one person when all of you are overwhelmingly impressive,? she told the candidates.

?For me, trying to keep in mind objectivity and keeping emotions out of it, I?m overwhelmed by the amount of volunteer work that Mrs. Zdanowicz has given to the community ? To see a community member who has consistently stepped up and given of themselves, on behalf of not only their child but other people?s children, is just extremely admirable.

?It?s been a brutal few years not only for the community but for our students and our staff. It?s important that we consider all viewpoints. In listening to Mrs. Zdanowicz?s, and taking into consideration of how she spoke and the rationales, none of that felt politically charged to
me. And very little of what I heard tonight felt politically charged. I?m just very grateful you put your names out there and you are all here tonight. I hope to see your faces again.?

Prior to the vote, the board asked each of the candidates to answer five questions, which included sharing their priorities if appointed, their involvement in the district, why they chose to step forward, and their stance on board policies 109.2 and 321, which the new board suspended and is currently reviewing.

Zdanowicz, who has lived in the area for the past 30 years and has taken an active role with the school district for the past 11 years, told the board she is "passionate and committed to making our schools the best they can be for our families and for our community."

In addition to supporting academic excellence, Zdanowicz said it's also important to address "mental health and the special needs of our students to equip them to be successful and contributing members of their community no matter what path they chose.

"I am willing and able to commit the time and effort required to serve our schools and our community," she said. "I enjoy being very involve in our school community and honestly I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I'm informed, engaged and I've worked as a committed parent volunteer on many building wide, region wide and district wide initiatives."

Zdanowicz shared a lengthy list of her involvement with the district, ranging from serving as a building coordinator for CB Cares to serving as editor and co-chair on the student directory and helping to lay the groundwork for the Race For Education. At the district level, she worked on the progress report redesign and as a superintendent parent advisory representative.

Zdanowicz holds a B.S. degree in computer science with a minor in business administration. She worked in IT and marketing for 19 years in various roles from programmer to vice president.

"Throughout my career I advanced based on my ability to analyze issues, solve problems with different groups and work collaboratively with different groups to build common understanding of goals, impacts, costs and deliverables," she said.

If appointed, Zdanowicz said among her top priorities would be working with the board to find the next superintendent.

"Over the past 10 years we've had six superintendents and every time one leaves it costs us a boatload of money. We need to focus on picking the right person for the job. We need somebody who provides stability and can lead us into the future," she said.

Her other top priorities include implementation of the district's realignment plan, which she said has broad community support, and addressing student mental health.

"So many students are dealing with mental health challenges that impacts them academically, socially and emotionally," she said. "We need to be creative and figure out how to get these kids the help they need so they can realize their full potential."

Regarding policies 109.2 and 321, which the new board majority suspended pending review, Zdanowicz said she supports the current review process.

"In my opinion, 109.2 is overreaching, cumbersome and costly," she said of the policy regarding the review of library books for content. "A library and books in the library should reflect the people and the students. They should see themselves and their peers in the literature that's available."

Regarding policy 321, which strives to create a neutral classroom environment, Zdanowicz called it "vague and overreaching. The definitions of political and social are unclear and they vary from person to person. Is Autism awareness allowed? Is Mental Health Week allowed? Some of the policies put us on the bleeding edge rather than the leading edge."

Dugger has worked in the human resources field, both nationally and internationally, for more than 20 years, including 10 years at the executive level. He also volunteers with VITA Services, which tutors English and writing to non-English speakers.

"I'm passionate about our community and equipping our students for the future. I understand the importance of a comprehensive, well rounded, inclusive education for the future success of our children," Dugger told the board.

Dugger said he has worked on numerous boards and executive teams in developing organizational initiatives, engagement and culture. "I have also formed and built strong teams that have not only been successful, but just as important built long lasting relationships. I've also engaged in conflict resolution skills to ensure success."

Political and religious beliefs are important to many, he said, and they should be celebrated "in our homes and our personal circles. Those views and beliefs should never be imposed on anyone where it's used as a basis for making decisions and impact the greater good."

Dugger told the board that he uses "independent thinking to make thoughtful decisions based on facts, data and not emotion. I work very hard to ensure I walk a mile in other shoes. I look at things from many perspectives and practice empathy because empathy is what's really important in this world."

Regarding priorities, Dugger said he believes his skill set in human resources can be helpful in the search for and appointment of the next superintendent.

"Our last few superintendents didn't work out as we desired," he said. "They cost the district money but it's also caused disruption in our district. One facet of my experience is hiring to ensure the right fit in any organization that I've led."

Teacher engagement and retention are also important, said Dugger. "In Pennsylvania we're in a teacher shortage. I'd like the board to work with the administration to ensure that we're getting back to being a district that our teachers are proud of working for, the board is proud of representing and our students are proud of being from."

Regarding policies 109.2, Dugger said the book policy "does not represent the highly qualified professionals we have in the district to make recommendations. I respect the parent's choice. There must be a formalized process to opt out, but I do believe that a select few should decide for all.

"Policy 321 is far too restrictive, overly vague and over reaching," he added. "It also neglects the promise of assuming good intent. I agree that partisan politics does not belong in our schools. I also believe it is our duty to make our students feel welcome and accepted in our school community. Our students deserve inclusivity. That's what we should all expect."