Election 2025: Roosevelt 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.

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA — Incumbent Republican Michael Roosevelt is running for re-election as a cross-filed candidate, meaning his name will appear on both the Democratic and Republican ballots for a seat on the Council Rock School Board representing Region 6. He is being challenged by Democrat Audrey Tashjian, who is also running as a cross-filed candidate on both ballots.

Region 6 includes Northampton Township Voting Districts 4, 8, 13 and 18.

Biological Information

Name: Michael Roosevelt
Age: 52
Town of residence: Ivyland
Position sought: School Board Director, Region 6
What Towns Does your Position Cover: Ivyland, Churchville, Richboro
Party Affiliation: Republican/Cross Filed
Family: Married with 3 kids.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in History, and a B.Arch in Architecture
Occupation: Architect

Questions

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

I am running for re-election for a second term. I believe the community deserves the best education it can afford and school board directors are responsible to support, and at times, challenge the school administration to ensure the district is providing the best education. I have continuously advocated for additional enrichment opportunities for our current students' education. Nights for Knowledge, literacy specialists, math specialists and special education support need to be a bigger priority of the board than it has been over the past several years. I have publicly advocated for these enrichments over my tenure. My priorities will continue to be students first, taxpayers, and staff, which aligns with the school administration's mantra, “Students First, Always”.

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

As communicated in our publicly held finance committee meetings (available on YouTube), we have been assured by administration that there are no cuts of federal funding to our district. Federal funding only represents approximately one percent of our total funding. Currently, the district is in budget season, therefore, I am primarily concerned with the rising budgets and cost to educate a student in Council Rock, especially considering the test scores and proficiencies, which are essentially flat. Four years ago, the total revenue in June of 2021 was $254.3 million, total expenses were $256.9 million, and a tax increase of 1.99 percent. Currently, in June 2025 for the 25/26 school year, the board is reviewing total revenue of $285.8 million, total expenses of $292.6 million, resulting in a June deficit of about $6.7 million and reviewing a tax increase of 2.9%. That represents an increase of $31 million in revenue and an increase of $36 million in expenses in 4 years. Expenses outpacing revenue, costs to educate a student rising, and tax rates rising concerns me. Coupled this financial situation with a master plan estimate of $400 million to address two aging elementary schools, two high schools, and an administration building all overdue for renovations and repairs. The result, or a plan to resolve, is a major issue facing the district, perhaps the largest in a decade as it details the future of Council Rock. My experience on this board, on other boards, and as an architect places me in an optimal situation to help guide the district through this time.

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

At the moment, we are in a situation where “students first,” tax rates, students' educational outcome are competing with up to $400 million in capital projects with only a little over $100 million in borrowing power. The answer: patience and planning are required of all within the district because there are no easy answers. For the 2024-25 school year, the board has been reviewing the conditions of 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 2 high schools, and several administrative or auxiliary buildings, including Chancellor Center and discussing a master plan to repair, renovate, or improve the district's facilities. Determining what needs to be done, how to prioritize, and finance these buildings and when to accomplish them is what is called the district’s master plan. Much interest has been placed on the Chancellor Center, nearly a 150-year-old building; while important, it is not the most expensive or most contributory to the education of the 10,431 students enrolled in the district as of May 2025. The most costly, that house the most students in the fewest buildings, are the two high schools with estimates each over $100 million. The most impactful building repairs regarding space to the most students are the two middle schools as it relieves projected overcrowding in many of the 10 elementary schools. Building utilities typically require replacement or upgrade every 20 to 30 years as technology advances and materials deteriorate. Currently, there are two elementary schools that have not been renovated in the last 25 years, and another that is overcrowded even after its renovation about 5 years ago. Chancellor is where the district began, it is the logo, and provides workspace for many of the administrators that operate and ensure education of the students; it’s history is significant as is its landmark attributes to the district and county.

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

I continue to believe a 5-year budget is important, especially in the present situation with the district as it allows the board to review the impact of financial decisions over 5 years. I also believe the tax payers deserve a consistent and predictable tax rate, these I will continue to request and use. I will continue to challenge the district to improve Education test scores and proficiencies which need to improve. The school board position need not be a “fight” it's based upon relationships built, experience, and discussions with others and the community. While many have different priorities, my experience is that all board members and staff believe in improving the educational outcome of each student, setting them up for the best future for each of them as the advance and graduate from Council Rock