Candidate Questionnaire: E. Pearl Smith

Your Name: E. Pearl Smith

Running For (and which year will the term end?): School Board Director Norristown Area School District, [term ending] 2017

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Positions Held Previously (both in and out of politics):

-President of Norristown Area School Board of Directors (2 years)

-Vice President of Norristown Area School Board of Directors (6 years)

-President of Business and Profession Women’s Org

-President of Phila. Purchasing Association

-President of Pa Education Support Union

-President of Celestial Choir of Mt Zion AME Church

-President of Coop Club of Mt. Zion AME Church

-Minority Representative for PA School Association

Why are you running for office: Students’ achievements are my number one priority and are the main purpose for my existence and why I am running for my 4th term as a school board director.

What do you think are the biggest issues you would face in office?

-Working to keep our budget from raising property taxes

-Closing the achievement gap

If elected, what would you aim to accomplish? 

-Work closely with the Superintendent to increase our academic standards

-Focus on our children and their education

-Help with property taxes relief

-Introduce a Senior Citizen tax break

-Introduce a Gold Card for Sr. to be used in the district for special events that require a ticket purchase

-Help establish forms of income for the District without depending on property taxes

What else would you like residents to know about you?

I will continue to be a leader with honesty, integrity, accountability and a positive outlook for the district that will impact the Norristown Area School District.