Meet John Butler, A Medical Doctor Running For A Seat On The Lower Moreland School Board

LOWER MORELAND, PA — Patch continues its pre-election coverage with a profile on John Butler, a Democrat and local medical practitioner who is running for a seat on the Lower Moreland School Board.

See Butler's responses below to a Patch candidate questionnaire.

Age (as of Election Day)

54

Party Affiliation

Democratic

Family

Wife Michelle and 3 children ages 21, 19, and 16.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BS in Biology- Albright College 1989/MD from Jefferson Medical College 1993

Occupation

Physician, Internal Medicine- 25 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

facebook.com/electJohnButler

Why are you seeking elective office?

People keep saying to me, “You're running for school board? You must be crazy!” It is such a shame that people feel this way. I am running for school board to do all that I can to help our students and our community. I will bring my 25 years of experience as a physician in private practice, and do all that I can to keep our kids safe, in school, and thriving. I will bring my experience as a father of 2 former and 1 current Lower Moreland student to ensure our schools are welcoming to all students and will help to further develop a strong diversity, equity and inclusion program. Finally, I will work hard, listen, learn, guide, and engage our board, administration, staff, students, community, and elected officials to support our schools to be certain every student can succeed and excel.

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

Dr. James Lee and I are unified in expressing that the single most pressing issue facing our district is maintaining a safe learning environment for our children so that in-person learning can continue without substantial interruption. This involves mitigating the risk of COVID to our students, staff, and community through a science-based approach to evaluating the most up-to-date information available and listening to public health expert guidance. We intend to engage in these discussions by listening to all perspectives and carefully deliberating the choices put forth to the board, with the aim of prioritizing our children’s best interests.

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

I have lived in Lower Moreland for almost 20 years. All of my children began their schooling in Kindergarten at Pine Road Elementary. Two have gone on to graduate and are currently in college and my youngest continues as a student at Lower Moreland High School. I have a great deal of experience with our wonderful teachers and staff and look forward to helping them and our community unite to ensure we all work together in making Lower Moreland the best of the best. I am happy to have been able to have my local medical practice support our schools as a Mini-Thon sponsor, and to sponsor several teams for the HVAA. I would be honored to bring this continued support to our school board.

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

I am running to fill a vacated position.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

We are living in very polarized times. In addition to ensuring that our students have a safe in-person learning environment, I will work to find critical common goals to unite our community and ensure excellence at all levels. A strong public school system benefits everyone and is critical to a healthy community and healthy democracy. We must be certain that all students have their individual needs met. We succeed when every student is provided with what they need to achieve their greatest potential.

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

I decided in high school that I wanted to be a physician. I realized that one of the most useful things I could do for the world would be to help people live long healthy lives. I focused on that goal and graduated high school at 17, college at 21, and medical school at 25. Since finishing residency training at 28 I have worked locally, in private practice as a physician in Internal Medicine. Internal Medicine is a broad field that requires expertise in diverse areas of medicine. To succeed one must never stop listening and learning. As most people know, there are many challenges in medicine today. It takes time, attention and dedication to run a successful practice with a reputation for excellence for 25 years. One must balance running a business, managing dozens of employees, and coordinating care for thousands of patients, while always remembering that every decision must be weighed critically and with the best information available. I am confident that this experience and dedication will guide me and allow me to further serve and benefit our schools and our community.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

If you want something done, give it to the busiest person you know.

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

Out of all of my jobs, the most rewarding one has been being a parent. I love being a doctor, but being a Dad and teaching my children to be good, compassionate people who will learn, live, give and love is the greatest thing of all. I will continue to do all that I can for them and for all of our children.