Gerry Barnefiher: It's Satisfying 'Helping to Make a Difference'

On qualifications for a board seat
I have served on the board for the past three years.  In that time I have been on many committees and have seen from many perspectives what a great school district PV truly is.  I have also seen areas where we can improve. I think because of my business background I can add value to the district in many ways as we struggle to educate our students to be future leaders. Technology is becoming an increasingly important asset within education as a learning tool and an effective instrument to reduce costs. With my technology background I feel I have a good foundation to continue to assist in providing direction and input to the district. Additionally having four students in the district keeps me in touch with the needs of the students on an almost daily basis.

Perkiomen Valley School District’s biggest issues
Obviously the most important issues are student achievement and finances. Our faculty and staff have done wonders in helping promote student achievement.  Our scores continue to rise and we see improvement across the board.  To be able to achieve success with ever decreasing state and federal funding has been amazing to witness. "Do more with less" has been a motto within the business world for years and PV is achieving this goal today.  It won't get any easier, but with a close relationship with our PV community we will succeed.  I think the continued partnership of the district and the community as evidenced by the budget town hall meetings of this past spring we will continue to move forward.

On the budgeting process
Balance is best achieved by knowing the entire picture and making educated decisions based upon facts and user input. In this case again, I feel the school district has done a great job in getting the information out as well as providing the community a chance to provide feedback as to priorities. With a combined effort the district and the community can make the tough choices together.

We have already started looking at the 2012-2013 budget during this past month’s finance committee meeting. An early start is key to understand the challenges ahead. We need to improve upon last year’s efforts and continue to provide the community information and search input as to priorities. The cuts needed this year were tough, but I felt good in the fact that it was what the PV area was able to agree upon.   Things like no afternoon activity bus from Middle School and High School directly impacted my family, as now we need to pick students up after school almost daily.  So the changes 'hit home' for sure. But it saved the district a good deal of money and allowed many of the after school activities to continue.  The district is exploring revenue opportunities, grants and ways to further reduce expenses, but there will again be tough decisions to make and with the help of our community it will be a shared solution.

Before you vote
I really enjoy my work! There is a great deal of satisfaction in being involved and helping to make a difference.  I encourage everyone to get more involved with the district in any way they can.