Long Time District Employee Seeks Seat on North Hills School Board

Helen (Dee) Spade, who has worked for the North Hills School District custodial staff for nearly 40 years, is running for North Hills School Director.

The following is her statement announcing her candidacy:

I am a candidate because of my love of children and recognition that schools are the cornerstones of our communities and deciding factors in our futures and quality of life. I want to make sure that children are always the first consideration in any decision-making. Our number one goal should always be to improve student achievement and to assure that our students are ready for employment or higher education when they leave North Hills.

School board directors are agents of the state, but elected by our neighbors. We need to send the message to those neighbors that education is part of, and important to, the entire community, and that the board members care about their concerns and issues. We do this by reaching out to them, collaborating with them, attending their various community meetings, like PTO's, Township Commissioner meetings, Chamber of Commerce meetings and athletic events. There is no need for board members to wait for citizens to come to them with issues and concerns. Board members represent the parents and taxpayers, not the administration.

As to budget issues, board members must further scrutinize every budget request, recognizing that ever dollar comes from hard earned incomes of our citizens. In economic times that continue to be difficult, we also need to find areas where can request exceptions from mandates, especially those mandates not directly related to student achievement.

Finally, we need to consider and plan for North Hills School District needs in the near and distant future. What innovations will work for changes in family lifestyles, and a changing economy and workforce? We can determine this via focus groups, expert opinions, and collaboration with school districts in other parts of the country and world.

Click here to read the complete list of candidates for North Hills School Board.

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