Election 2025: Robert Jarvis For Hatboro-Horsham School Board

Candidates running in the Nov. 4 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

HATBORO / HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA — Robert Jarvis is running for a seat on the Hatboro-Horsham School Board in the Nov. 4 general election.

Jarvis, a Democrat, is among eight candidates seeking five seats on the school board, which represents Hatboro and Horsham Township.

Several school board members did not seek re-election, and one, Erin Whalen, is running for Horsham Township Council.

The candidates are Republicans Jimmy Zuniga, Bernie Sousa, Eric Tilghman, Anthony Spangler, and Eric Grier. They face Democratic newcomers Madison Peace, Ashley R. Pierson, Katherine Kahn, Robert Jarvis, and School Board President Jennifer Wilson.

Biographical Information

• Name: Robert Jarvis
• Age: 74
• Town of Residence: Horsham Township
• Position sought: Hatboro-Horsham School Board
• Are you an incumbent? No
• What Towns Does Your Position Cover? Hatboro Borough and Horsham Township
• Party Affiliation: Democrat
• Family: Wife Carol and daughters Chelsea, Jacqui, and Erika; six grandchildren
• Education: Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in Education and B.S. degree in Criminology/Psychology
• Occupation: Educational Leadership and School Improvement Consultant

Candidate Questions

1. How do you feel about the school district's recent tax hikes?

As a taxpayer in the district, I have valued the sound fiscal management of the current school board and administration, and would strive to support necessary policies and practices that will provide the highest quality programs and learning experiences for our students within annual balanced budgets that do not exceed the state’s Act 1 Index.

2. What educational background do you bring to the position?

I bring over 40 years of distinguished professional experience in support to PreK-12 school district leaders and staff that nurtures sound equity-informed policies and practices, and the successful implementation of continuous improvement efforts.

My professional activities have largely focused on supporting district leaders in building their system’s capacities to better serve the learning and social-emotional needs of their most challenged and underperforming diverse learners.

I recently retired after 22 years as the Director of the Coalition for Educational Equity in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania, serving hundreds of districts throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Delaware, as well as the PA and NJ Departments of Education.

3. What are the biggest challenges facing the school district in the future?

• Successfully concluding contract negotiations with the district’s teachers' association in 2026
• Providing continuous oversight of resources, policies, and programs that ensure each and every student’s access to supportive, engaging, and high-quality learning experiences.
• Assuring clear district policies that guide ethical, effective, and efficient operation of the school district and student safety.
• Assuring accountability and transparency in the budgeting process and equitable allocation of financial resources that support diverse student learning needs.
• Ensuring the highest quality and innovative educational programs that exceed parent and community expectations, and state and federal standards.