Election 2025: David Espenshade Running For Council Rock School Board

Candidates running in the May 20 Primary for Council Rock School Board have been invited to provide background about themselves and their positions on the issues in these profiles, which will appear individually for each candidate who participates.

WRIGHTSTOWN, PA — David Espenshade is running as a Republican for a seat on the Council Rock School Board representing Region 9. He is challenging incumbent Democrat Nicole Khan, who has cross-filed on the Democratic and Republican ballots.

Region 9 includes all of Wrightstown Township and Newtown Township voting districts 1 and 2

Biological Information

Name: David Espenshade

Age: 61
Town of residence: Wrightstown
Position sought: Council Rock School Board
What Towns Does your Position Cover: Wrightstown and Newtown 1 and 2
Party Affiliation: Republican
Family: Wife and two sons
Education: LaSalle University, BA Biochemistry
Occupation: Sales Leadership, Technology

Questions

Why are you running for school board? If elected, what will your priorities be?

Serving on the school board represents an opportunity for me to contribute meaningfully to the community. I have been actively involved in my children's education, providing mentoring and coaching throughout grade school and high school years. Over the past eight years, I have coached baseball, basketball, and football. Additionally, I have served as a Scouting parent helper and recently volunteered with SAGE (Senior Adults for Greater Education), utilizing the experience of senior volunteers to support local schools. My priorities will be centered on making decisions that prioritize student success and ensure cost-effectiveness for taxpayers. Whether in business or in the community, I lead with purpose, preparation, and people-first values. That’s the approach I would bring to every decision on the school board.

What do you see as the major issues facing the district and how would you address them?

All operations need to maximize their expenditures for the most effective return. We need to use our tax dollars effectively so that seniors are not driven out of the district due to high taxes.

How would you prioritize the numerous capital projects facing the district, including the future of the Chancellor Center?

I would categorize capital expenditures into three distinct areas: ensuring student success and safety, compliance expenditures, and basic maintenance of current facilities. Investments that contribute to improvements in student success should include funding for future curriculum initiatives such as STEM programs (e.g., computers for coding and robotics), educational materials, laptops for remedial support addressing learning loss, and enhancements to classical education. I do not endorse allocating funds for the renovation of a historic building, specifically the Chancellor Center.

If elected, what would you fight to change, improve, or keep the same?

There are several policies that should be reconsidered to ensure they reflect fiscal responsibility, fairness, and thoughtful planning for the future of our schools. Fiscal policy requires updating. The current board is considering a $400 million capital plan. This approach raises concerns about fiscal responsibility and fairness to taxpayers. Wrightstown Elementary needs immediate attention. For years, Wrightstown Elementary has experienced overcrowding — with students in large classes, specials held in non-traditional spaces, and new families being directed to other schools. Despite this, current board members have not effectively addressed the issue. Wrightstown families require support through effective solutions that prioritize this matter.

Improved growth planning is necessary. The district should refine its student census and projections to account for future growth at each school. This would help ensure that new families can attend their local schools. A strategic review of student population trends, growth forecasts, and feeder patterns is essential to meet the needs of all families across the district. Major initiatives should be based on thorough analysis. Every major initiative should undergo thorough evaluation of its impact on students, classroom space, staffing needs, and overall costs — before implementation. For example, while full-day kindergarten is considered a valuable initiative, its uneven rollout has had various effects on students and families. Planning should be guided by preparedness and impact — not arbitrary deadlines.

Editor's Note: This profile has been edited to delete an inaccurate statement. The statement read, "The current board has increased property taxes to the maximum allowed by law." It has also been edited to correct the name of the Chancellor Center.