Schools

Meet Paula Barson, Candidate For Council Rock School Board

Paula Barson is running to represent Council Rock School Board Region 3, which includes three voting districts in Northampton Township.

Paula Barson, a speech-language pathologist, will cross-file as a Republican and Democrat in the May 18 primary election.
Paula Barson, a speech-language pathologist, will cross-file as a Republican and Democrat in the May 18 primary election. (Paul Crane)

RICHBORO, PA — A Pennsylvania native and longtime resident of Northampton Township has announced she will run for a seat on the Council Rock School Board.

Paula Barson, a speech-language pathologist, will cross-file as a Republican and Democrat in the May 18 primary election. Barson has lived in the Council Rock School District since 1990 and in Northampton Township since 1999. She lives in Richboro with her husband and three children, who were all educated in Council Rock schools.

Spending the last 15 years directing and producing musicals at schools across the district has helped her get to know parents and students, Barson said. She is also a member of the Home and School Association at Rolling Hills Elementary and Holland Middle School, a committee member on the Council Rock Capital Planning Committee and president of the Council Rock High School South Choir Parents Association.

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Barson said the most important issue for the district is getting kids back to school safely and responsibly.

My experience as a parent, volunteer, and committee member in this district will allow me to tackle that task head-on,” Barson said in a statement. “I am prepared to tackle the unique challenges of re-opening after the pandemic and preserving the quality of education we have come to expect."

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Barson has worked as a speech-language pathologist for 30 years, including 20 years at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She earned her bachelor's degree in communications disorders from Penn State University in 1985 and her master's in speech language pathology from Temple University in 1989.

“I brought my family here three decades ago so my kids could have a robust education and so we as a family could be involved members of this community," Barson said. "I have served this district as a parent, a volunteer, as a director, and most importantly, as a voice fighting for a well-rounded education for all of our students. I want to keep being that voice and keep fighting for excellent education and strong fiscal responsibility as your next School Director.”

Also running for the Region 3 seat is Bob Hickey.

The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is May 11. All mail-in ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on May 18.

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