Meet the Candidates: Kenneth N. Butz Jr.

Age: 68

Residence: Bushkill Township

Do you have children in the district or relatives who work for the district? I have a sister, Nancy Wicoff, who is a special education teacher, and my two sons have already gone through the district.

What is your political affiliation: Democrat

Education:

• East Stroudsburg University - master’s degree in education
• Lehigh University - principal certification (elementary)
• Muhlenberg College - bachelor’s degree in psychology and elementary education

Profession/Work experience:

I taught for three years in Wilson Borough as an elementary school teacher, and was named head teacher during my second year of teaching.

In 1968, I took a job at and was head teacher. When I finished my principal certification in the early '70s, I switched over to full-time principal.

I retired in 2003 as the principal of Bushkill Elementary, which gave me about 38+ years in education.

Community Service:

• Coached Little League baseball
• Helped organize recreational programs in Bushkill Township
• I was an elected auditor in Bushkill Township for quite a few years and served on various committees. I resigned from my auditor position when I was elected to school board.

Why are you running for school board?

I enjoyed my 30+ years in education and I feel I have quite a bit to offer --knowing the programs, the curriculum, the kids and the community.

What qualifies you to serve on the board?

My years in education and my past experience.  This is my eighth year on the board and I served as president for two of those years.  Currently, I am chair of the building and grounds committee.

I try to attend various committee meetings, including the education, technology, athletics and personnel meetings.  The meetings keep me up to date on what’s happening throughout the district.  You really need to be part of that.  At public meetings, you sometimes don’t hear a lot of discussion, and that's because a lot of that discussion happens at the committee meetings.

If elected, how would you balance the needs of students and taxpayers?

I don’t think we’re in as bad of a financial position as some people seem to believe we’re in.  We started a five-year plan that permitted us to put a few extra dollars aside to help out during the lean years.

I appreciate the taxpayers, being a taxpayer myself. Right now, people are not as upset to pay a couple extra dollars to keep the type of educational programming we have.

I was talking to my 90-year-old mother, and she said, "I’m willing to pay a few more dollars to keep the kids off the street and give the kids the things they really need."

I know it’s a balancing act, but I think I have the support of the people out there.  I hear what they’re saying.

What areas of curriculum, programs and/or district operations would you like to see improved and how? (Please be as specific as possible)

We’re in pretty good shape, but I’d like to see the expansion of solar projects.  I’d like to see us expand that facet because I think that’s an area that could save the district additional dollars in utility costs.

I’m pretty confident in the direction we’re headed right now.  Our pupil-teacher ratio is still pretty good, and our textbooks are still pretty up to date.

And with our five-year plan, we're still able to maintain. So right now, we’re in pretty decent shape.

Where do you think the district can reduce spending and/or save money? (Please be as specific as possible)

We're spending a lot of extra dollars on curriculum leaders and department heads, when we could cut back on some of those positions and streamline the operation a bit, which could save us a few thousand dollars.

We’re spending quite a few dollars on inservice and conferences, so we’re looking to save some dollars there as well.

What one thing would you most like to accomplish if elected to the board?

I would like to see increased building security and more cameras, which would reduce things like vandalism.

Also, I would just like to attempt to maintain our current status quo, but with minor modifications and minor cutbacks.

We need to maintain after-school programs for kids.  Having worked in the district, those programs are essential.

We have a quality program, our scores are good, our buildings are in excellent shape and our curriculum is up to date. I want to continue to maintain this high quality for the kids and for the residents of Nazareth.

Anything else you would like voters to know?

As a lifelong resident of the district, I live close by, and can be easily contacted if needed.  I continue to spend a lot of time in the community -- I just haven’t retired and walked away.

Editor's Note: Due to lack of computer access, the above questions were dictated via phone to Butz.