Election 2025: Daniel Kimicata For Central Bucks School Board

Candidates running in the Nov. 4 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

DOYLESTOWN, PA ? Four candidates are running for two open, four-year seats on the Central Bucks School Board in the new Region 3. Voters will choose between Democrats Katrina Filitrault and Daniel Kimicata and Republicans Elizabeth Betty Santoro and Roman Szewczuk.

Region 3 includes Chalfont Borough, New Britain Township South 1 and 2, New Britain Township West 1 and 2, and Warrington 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

Name: Daniel Kimicata

Age: 39
Town of residence: Chalfont
Position sought: Region 3 School Director, Central Bucks School District
What Towns Does Your Position Cover: Chalfont, Warrington, and New Britain Township except for New Britain East
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Family: Wife Tiffany, 3 boys: 8, 6, and 1
Education: Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University, Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University.
Occupation: Architect

Questions

1. Why are you running for the school board? If elected, what will your priorities be?

I was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Central Bucks School Board in September of last year. While I?m technically an incumbent, this is my first election. I initially applied for the vacancy because our district is undertaking several large capital projects, including substantial upgrades to multiple elementary schools and additions at high schools to facilitate grade realignment. As I am an architect, I felt my professional experience with construction and planning could be a valuable perspective for the board regarding these initiatives.

I?m also running as a parent of three young children. I want to ensure that Central Bucks stays focused on education and not on distractions driven by culture war issues. I want to focus on providing the best learning environment for our students. The learning environment consists not only of the instruction provided by our teachers and staff, but also the built environment our students inhabit for hours every school day. In my opinion, both are equally important.

Central Bucks is in a period of major transition. We are introducing full-day kindergarten, realigning grades, renovating schools, and expanding educational opportunities. My priority is to make sure those changes are focused on strengthen learning and are done in a financially responsible way. That means supporting academic growth, ensuring our facilities meet the needs of students and staff, and keeping our focus on education instead of distractions.

I?m running to continue steady, informed leadership that helps our district move forward responsibly and keeps classrooms, not culture wars, at the center of every decision.

2. What do you see as the major issues facing the district and how would you address them?

The most serious issue facing our district, and every public school district in Pennsylvania, is the instability of education funding. We are being asked to plan responsibly for the future while state and federal leaders play politics with the resources our students depend on.

At the state level, the Republican-controlled senate has once again failed to pass a full budget. That means delayed payments to districts, uncertainty for programs, and constant guesswork about what we can actually afford to do. For a district like Central Bucks where every dollar is already committed to staff, transportation, and facilities, this uncertainty makes it incredibly difficult to plan long-term investments.

At the federal level, the situation isn?t any better. There?s been an ongoing effort to weaken or dismantle the Department of Education, cut oversight, and shift toward block grants that sound flexible but in reality reduce accountability and equity. Those cuts disproportionately affect programs for students with disabilities, English language learners, and those needing additional academic supports, all of which are legally required services. When federal dollars disappear, those costs don?t vanish; they just shift to local taxpayers.

This political dysfunction has real consequences: it threatens our ability to attract and retain teachers, maintain safe and modern facilities, and offer programs that help students thrive. Education is a public good, not a partisan bargaining chip. While we can?t control what happens in Harrisburg or Washington, we can continue to plan conservatively, communicate transparently, and advocate for stable, needs-based funding that lets us keep our promises to students and families and provide the educational services required by law.

3. What would you like to see in a new superintendent? Where would you like to see him/her focus their energies?

The search for a new superintendent comes at a pivotal time for Central Bucks. The district is still recovering from the abuse that occurred at Jamison and the loss of public trust that followed. We?ve taken decisive action by terminating administrators who failed in their responsibilities but rebuilding an effective and accountable leadership team starts with hiring the right superintendent.

This hire is about more than filling a vacancy, it?s about setting a new tone for our district. We need someone who brings integrity, stability, and a commitment to students above all else. Additionally, there are other key executive positions in the district that remain open and will likely stay that way until we know who the new superintendent is. Any prospective employee for those positions wants to know who the superintendent is going to be, and the superintendent should be involved in hiring their team. The board?s decision on the next superintendent will shape the next generation of district leadership for years to come.

We?re also looking for longevity, someone who can restore consistency after years of turnover and political interference. The right superintendent will focus on academics, staff morale, and the long-term health of our schools, not on culture war distractions. They must be willing to advocate for our district in a challenging funding environment, while keeping our schools focused squarely on education and student success.

This is an opportunity to turn the page and rebuild confidence in how Central Bucks is led. The next superintendent should help us move forward with steady progress, leading with transparency, professionalism, and a clear commitment to doing what?s best for students every single day.