Election 2025: O'Connor Running For Central Bucks School Board

Candidates running in the May 20 Primary for Central Bucks School Board have been invited to provide background about themselves and their positions on the issues in these profiles, which will appear individually for each candidate who participates.

JAMISON, PA — Democrat Amanda O'Connor is running for a four-year seat in Region 2 as a cross-filed candidate, meaning her name will appear on both ballots. She faces Republican Andrew Miller, who is also running as a cross-filed candidate on both ballots.

Region 2 includes: Buckingham Township Lower 1, Doylestown Borough 3-1 and 3-2, Doylestown Township 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8, New Britain Township East 1, New Britain Borough and Warwick Township 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Biographical Information

Name: Amanda O’Connor
Age: 39
Town of residence: Jamison
Position sought: School Board Director Region 2
What Towns Does your Position Cover:
Buckingham Township Lower 1
Doylestown Borough 3-1 & 3-2
Doylestown Township 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 & 8
New Britain Township East 1
New Britain Borough
Warwick Township 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Family: Married for almost 13 years with two elementary school children
Education: M.Ed in Educational Leadership from Delaware Valley College and B.S.Ed. in
Adolescent Education from St. John’s University
Occupation: Small business owner, Social Media Strategist

Questions

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

Public education is facing unprecedented challenges, and I’m running to be a strong advocate for our students, families, and schools. With 11 years of experience as a public high school teacher in both Chichester and Kennett Consolidated School Districts, and as a parent of two elementary students currently enrolled in Central Bucks, I understand firsthand what’s at stake — and I’m committed to protecting and strengthening our district.

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

An important issue facing our district is managing the transition involved in realignment and the rollout of full-day kindergarten. These are significant shifts, and I want to ensure our students, families, and teachers are fully supported and prepared as sixth graders move to middle school and ninth graders transition to high school. Another key priority is addressing much-needed renovations across our schools — especially the eight elementary buildings most in need of repair. We must make these updates to provide safe, modern learning environments while remaining fiscally responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. Lastly, I’m committed to supporting strong academic achievement by ensuring our students have the resources, instruction, and support necessary to reach and exceed pre-COVID performance levels.

The past few years have been turbulent in the district. How will you bring stability?

The role of a school board should be to reflect the needs, values, and goals of the local community it serves. Over the past few years, we've seen outside influences and national organizations play an outsized role in shaping district policy, leading to division and instability. I believe it's time to return the focus to Central Bucks. As a board member, I will prioritize listening to our families, educators, and students, and ensure that decisions are made with our community’s best interests at heart. Stability comes from transparency, collaboration, and policies that are grounded in local priorities — not political agendas. That’s the kind of leadership I’m committed to bringing to our district.

What changes should be made at the state and federal level regarding public education and what is your opinion of what is happening at the federal level with funding and educational priorities?

There’s still a great deal unknown about the changes coming at the federal level when it comes to education funding and priorities — and that uncertainty is cause for concern. Central Bucks receives approximately $3.4 million in federal funding each year, which supports vital programs and services for our students. Any significant reductions or shifts in federal priorities could create serious challenges, especially for state and local officials who may struggle to fill funding gaps. That’s one of the reasons I’m running for school board. With a strong background in education and years of experience in the classroom, I want to bring that perspective to the board to help navigate these changes thoughtfully and advocate for policies that keep our students and schools supported, regardless of what happens at the national level.