Lynn Donches

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• Age: 56
• Residence: Emmaus
• Do you have children in the district? No
• Politics: Republican
• Experience: My experience is in corporations and internships in school libraries. The experience I bring from my positions at Air Products and Rodale are in managing, working with teams, budgeting and license/contract negotiations.

1. What motivates you to want to become a board member?

Change in education is needed and is already in progress. I would like to be instrumental in planning for the future of education and ensuring that every child has the opportunity for a first-rate education. I am motivated by the need for fiscal responsibility since it is important that future educational plans fit into the economic realities of local, state and federal government. The need for transparency of board activities motivates me. It should be easier for citizens to be apprised of board activities and to communicate with the board. I believe board meetings need to be webcast, that meeting agendas and check registers be posted three working days before the meetings, and that more detailed budget information be available to the public. I believe my 33 years of management, budget planning, and negotiating experience in the private sector will transfer well to serving the public.

2. What do you see as the board’s roles and responsibilities?

First and foremost, I believe the board serves as representatives and conduits for the citizens of the school district. The board should welcome comments and ideas from the citizens and utilize the suggestions when considering policy and activities. Secondly, the board’s responsibility is to direct the administration. Thirdly, the board plans, adopts and oversees the budget, as well as votes on any contracts, including union contracts, and ensures sound fiscal responsibility is exercised so that taxpayers are minimally burdened. The board also adopts policy to improve education for all students and works with local legislators to introduce legislation to support education

3. What is your vision for education in this community?

I envision an educational system in which all students are given the opportunity to learn in the atmosphere which meets their learning style and which gives them the opportunity to become the best person they can be. Education is in transformation. I expect some students will continue attending brick and mortar schools full-time while others may combine some cyber schooling with on-site learning. Still, others may be home-schooled or attend a charter school or private school. In some instances, there may be a gathering of students from any and all of these different venues to collectively participate in activities. It is a whole new world of education. It is important to review and be open to all options.

4. What do you see as the primary work of the board?

I believe the first task at hand is to reign in spending, reign in taxes and reign in borrowing. The board must lay out a budget plan that will reduce the $160 million debt. The board must anticipate the future and be prepared to be flexible as the economy cycles. The annual budget must be part of a larger, long-term plan.

5. What are the current challenges facing education/school boards?

Many of the challenges involve economics: state budget cuts, non-funded and underfunded mandates, lower home values, foreclosures and business reassessments which contribute to diminishing real estate revenues, the underfunded teacher pension funds and bussing costs.

At the same time, there are varied educational opportunities for students and parents to choose from. The challenge is to offer the best education for each child and to be able to balance the budget.

6. Would you support a tax increase?

A tax increase would have an adverse affect on many citizens of the East Penn School District. I am not in favor of a tax increase unless I know that every expenditure has been reviewed and is an absolute need, not a want, and that the increase does not exceed the cost of living index.

7. Can you think of any district expenses that should be cut?

I would need to see detailed budget costs to respond honestly; however, I believe it is critical that every district expense be reviewed and scrutinized. For every proposed increase, a way to keep the budget line flat or to reduce it must be identified. Then, for each expenditure proposed, ask: Is there another way to accomplish what needs to be achieved? Is the expense a want or a need? Could another vendor be used? Can a less expensive product be used? More importantly, because the economy is currently in such decline, for each proposed expenditure, we must ask: Does it educate? Does it increase revenue or save money? Does it create jobs? These questions must be asked in bad times and in good times.  When using public money, any time must be viewed as austere. This is the only way to keep costs under control.

8. Do you support merit pay for teachers?

Yes. I believe that teachers should receive increases based on their performance. I oppose an automatic increase in salary at the completion of a course or degree.

9. Are you in favor of the Governor’s school voucher proposal?

Yes. I support the use of vouchers. Vouchers afford parents the opportunity to choose a school in which their child will best benefit from the educational offerings. Vouchers allow parents to control where their tax dollars are spent for their child’s education. Vouchers instigate competition among schools, not as to which district has the biggest, best buildings or sports teams, but which schools are offering the very best education. Even though the proposed voucher system is a step program beginning with poverty level and failing schools first, hopefully the vouchers will become an overall choice for all students and parents in the future.

10.  How do you think Gov.Corbett’s proposed budget will affect East Penn?

The proposed changes have already forced the administration to review and scrutinize every budget line and expense. The proposed budget necessitates future and long-term strategy as well as short-term adaptation. Sadly, the proposal also causes us to review the past and review what decisions could have been made differently to prevent the current situation. The important lesson is that we learn that public money is a limited commodity. Austere measures must be applied at all times, during a prosperous economy as well as an unfavorable economy.

• Do you have a social media page, such as a Facebook account? A personal page only.
• Do you tweet? Not currently.

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