Meet Rowan Keenan, Republican Candidate For Perkiomen Valley School Board

PERKIOMEN VALLEY, PA — As Patch continues its pre-election coverage, take the time to meet Rowan Keenan, one of four Republican candidates for open seats on the Perkiomen Valley School Board

Keenan is one of the school director candidates who took the time to respond to a questionnaire from Patch.

Read his responses below to learn more about him.

Age (as of Election Day)

44

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

I live with my wife and four children. We have three girls and one boy.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

I have a Bachelors from Colby College, a JD from Boston College, and a Masters of Law from Temple University Beasley School of Law.

Occupation

Attorney: 17 years, Real Estate Agent: five years, Title Agent: two years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Collegeville Borough Council: 12 years. Collegeville-Trappe Municipal Authority: 8 years.

Campaign website

www.facebook.com/FLIP4PV

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have four young children, three of whom are at South Elementary and the youngest who will attend in two years and I am deeply concerned about their education.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Disconnect between the School Board and parents and the community which has been happening quietly for years. I intend to refocus the School Board on education.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Experience. I am the most experienced in operating non-profit organizations, having served for Collegeville Borough and CTMA, I have also served as the Financial Secretary for the Collegeville Fire Company for over fifteen years and on the Board of Perkiomen Valley Student Loan Association for most of the last ten years.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

In 2017 the electorate told the Board not to borrow millions for an athletic turf field. The Board did it anyway. This was upsetting to me, but also shows a greater trend of the Board not caring what the parents or taxpayers think or want. Another way that the Board failed the community was in their bid to tax the Skippack Fire Station. Notwithstanding that this showed a lack of respect to all volunteer firefighters and was contrary to law, this type of fiscal policy is harmful to the residents and taxpayers of the Perkiomen Valley.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I want to focus the school and teachers and administration on education, education and education.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I ran for Collegeville Borough Council in 2005 with the goal of getting the Collegeville Fire Station built. The Station and its funding were approved when I left Borough Council twelve years later and I then served on the building committee for the Fire Company. After more than twenty years of struggle and opposition the Collegeville Fire Company had their new station.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. -Martin Luther King Jr.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

All of my service has been 100% volunteer. I have not received any payment or pecuniary benefit for any of the positions that I have held and I would be grateful if you would allow me to serve the Perkiomen Valley School District.