Meet Paul Morse, Jr., Candidate For A Seat On The Abington School Board

ABINGTON, PA — As Patch continues its pre-election coverage, take some time to learn about Paul Morse, Jr., a Republican running for a seat on the Abington Township School Board.

See below Morse's responses to Patch's candidate questionnaire.

Age (as of Election Day)

78

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

Dorothy -wife; Heather - daughter; Tristan - Grandson; Grant- grandson ; Michael - son in law.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Son-in-law teaches for Abington School District; daughter on leave from teaching at Abington School District

Education

BS EE Drexel University; MBA Temple University

Occupation

Retired ; previously President and CEO Cable Technologies International , Inc for 30 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

President Abington School Board 10 years; Chairman of the Board Abington Art Center; Board member Foundation for Abington School District ; Government Study Commission

Campaign website

Facebook profile Paul Morse (Pete) page

Why are you seeking elective office?

Bring sanity back to the school Board ; being sure the parents and guardians know what is going on in the district and ensure they have a major role in deciding the policies and practices that directly impact their children.

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

Keeping the schools open where parents get to decide their children’s health issues including use of masks, and vaccinations. I am a staunch advocate of parents' rights.

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

I have 14 major issues that I have clearly outlined while the other candidates have avoided outlining their issues.

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

The current School Board ignores the parents and community . They seldom answer questions at school board meetings and seldom discuss their reasoning for implementing their policies .

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

1. Getting back to teaching reading . Writing and math.

2. Equality for all students and parents.

3. Keep the children in school. Zoom/ virtual education simply does not work for
Many children.

4. Masks should be optional. No one
Knows their children better than the parents.

5. Keep politics out of the classroom

6. Improve the ranking for Abington both nationally and state wide.

7. Keep the police and resource officers in our schools working with our children.

8. Hold the line on taxes. At $22,000.00 cost per student this figure is like going to a private school but without getting the same education.

9. Maker the vaccination for our younger children optional based upon the parents desires.

10 Get rid of Critical Race Theory indoctrination.

11. Rewrite the policy related to gender expansive and transgender students. This policy says the district will not provide parents information concerning their children because of a federal law. This policy is in violation of the federal Law since parents are permitted access to all student records up to their 18th birthday. In addition the policy goes on th permit the student selecting whatever restroom they want to use, what locker room they wish to use and what sports they would like to participate in.

12. Review in detail the food service program. It has been reported out of date and poor quality food is being served.

13. The Abington Township and school district have a pending emergency. The Abington Township (commissioners and township manager ) are pushing hard and fast to change Abington once and for all. By changing the Comprehensive Plan to permit many more apartments and a much higher density. Already the township has approved 375 apartments on the Fairway, 100 apartments near the Acme, and is pushing to ad 375 to 2500 apartments on the Willow Grove Mall parking lots. Each apartment will add between 13-30 students according to e National Home Builders Association . But wait - that is per 100 units . So the number of new students, just from these new construction projects will be 850 units . ( taking into account only 375 at the mall and not the maximum /100 yields 8.5 . So the math is 8.5 x 13 is 110 students to a maximum of 255. We all know what this means . The cost per student is $22,000 so we are talking about millions of dollars cost to tax payers with a lot less tax revenue coming in. If this does not force a new school building it will as a minimum result in millions of dollars in expenditures for additions . Or worse, back to ART AND MUSIC ON A CART. We Must not allow this reckless expansion of our community .

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

Ran a successful $50m company for over 30 years ; 10 years as president of the Abington School Board; 3 years and counting As Chairman of the Board of the Abington Art Center.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness and bad days give you experience.

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

I have grandchildren in the Jr and Sr high school and my daughter went through the entire Abington School System. Do all the other candidates?
I have lived in the community for 51 years. I know the community and school district. Do the other candidates?
I have served on the school board before for 10 years. I have
The experience. Do the other candidates ?
I have the time to devote to the position. I am retired. This position, to do it right, takes 20-40 he a week. Do the other candidates have the time ?
I do not work for nor a member of a teachers union, a union that controls negotiations. Are the other candidates?