Meet Easton School Board Candidate Bob Moskaitis

Editor's note: In the weeks leading up to the May 21 primary, we asked Easton area candidates to fill out questionnaires about themselves. This is how the Easton Area School Board's Robert Moskaitis, responded.

Bob Moskaitis

Age: 62

Family: Wife: Libby ; Children:  Jon, Beth, Sarah [ all EAHS grads w/ graduate degrees working in science, medicine, education ]

Political party affiliation: Cross-filed

Tell us about your educational background: Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh;  M.S., Chemistry, Univeristy of Pittsburgh;  B.S., Science Education, U of Maryland

Tell us about your professional/business background: Research Scientist & Manager for 35 years w/ Pfizer Inc/ Minerals Technologies Inc.; working on 13th Street, Easton.                                                                              

Current job title: Technical Director, MINTEQ International [subsidiary of MTI]    Award winning high school chemistry teacher for 5 years at Moon Area High School in western PA.

I am responsible for product development and technical budget; also, develop intellectual property [most recent patent awarded 2010];  previous position was Research Vice-President responsible for global R&D organization and $25 MM budget - responsible for all personnel and financial issues.


Why are you running for the Easton Area School Board? 

As the grandchild  of immigrants, I believe that education still remains the key to both personal advancement and community economic strength.  My grandfathers were uneducated coal miners in NE PA; my father was a policeman with a high school degree; my mother only went through second grade; 4 siblings all graduated college with 3 earning graduate degrees.

My children graduated EAHS and achieved college and graduate degrees and now hold professional jobs.  I want the same opportunities for today's EASD students.

What qualifies you to serve on the board? 

My business and academic background uniquely qualifies me to both understand and independently analyze the myriad  problems facing the EASD.  I have been a homeowner and taxpayer in EASD for 34 years so I empathize with taxpayers and seek an efficient education system.  

WIth 3 children who graduated EAHS I do understand what is positive and possible with an EASD education.  I am a fiscal conservative who believes that we need to support and prepare all students for life after high school including preparation for an increasingly competitive jobs market.  I have achieved balanced budgets in my management responsibilities and expect EASD to also achieve balance budgets without further burdening the taxpayers during the ongoing economic malaise.

What do you see as the board's primary role and responsibilities? 

The BOE primary responsibilities are fiduciary oversight and policy development.  The Board is not involved in the day-to-day administration of the school district but is responsible for hiring an effective superintendent as EASD leader.  The Board must have a trusted working relationship with the superintendent who administers the daily working of the EASD.  The current Board also takes the primary role in negotiating upcoming employee bargaining unit contracts which will include the teachers union contract when it expires.  I currently serve on the Board negotiating team.  I also serve as the EASD BOE representative on the IU-20 Board [special education services].

Tell us about three major challenges facing the district and how you would address them. (Please be as specific as possible):

EASD faces 3 significant issues:   

1.  Fiscal Deficit - EASD continues to experience annual budget crises due to the unsustainable contract signed many years ago with the teachers union.    Annual contract compensation increases have averaged over 8% [more than 4x inflation] during a prolonged slow economy with taxpayers losing jobs or experiencing minimal salary increases.  In addition, medical  and pension benefits qualify as 'Cadillac' plans when taxpayers are struggling.  Two years remain on the current unsustainable contract.  As a member of the Board negotiating team,  I will only seek a sustainable contract for the district fair to taxpayers who have been burdened by the current unsustainable contract.
2.  Leadership Deficit - I have referred to EASD administration as 'dysfunctional' due to repeated failures to lead including a general lack of project management skills.  I expect professionals to complete assignments and to execute the policy mandates of the Board [the elected representatives of the EASD].   I voted to not renew our current superintendent contract and we are currently working to hire a new superintendent who will need to evaluate and restructure the administrative function.  I will continue to work with my colleagues to hire the best candidate to serve as leader of EASD.  
3.  Accomplishment Deficit - EAHS has failed state reading and math testing the past 7 years.  No significant improvement has been realized over this time.  The current administration has repeatedly voiced their 'satisfaction' that everyone is 'trying hard' rather than accepting that we need to change results rather than focusing on effort.  I focus on results and will continue to do so until both progress and achievement are obtained.   Solving these 3 performance deficits are critical to the survival of the EASD.

How much are you spending to run? How is your campaign being funded? 

$25 for business cards; totally self-funded AND I have not and will not seek reimbursement for any expense  incurred while performing my duties as a Board Director.  As an unpaid position, a School Director is a true citizen volunteer in local government.

What, if any, endorsements have you received? 

None; I only seek the endorsement of individual taxpayers and citizens of EASD Region III through their votes on May 21.

Do you use social media? If so, please provide links to your Facebook and Twitter. 

I believe in transparency.  I clearly state my positions on issues affecting EASD.    My background and views are documented on my website. I  also post regular blog items on my website:  www.bobmoskaitis.com