Maryann Piccioni​: Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board Candidate Profile

TREDYFFRIN-EASTTOWN, PA — With the 2025 municipal election growing ever close, voters need to be informed of who will be on their ballots Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Below is a Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board Director candidate profile of Maryann Piccioni, who is running for reelection in Region 3:

Name: Maryann Piccioni
Age: 40-year resident of Paoli
Gender: Woman
Location/Town: Paoli
Party: Democratic (appeared on both Democratic and Republican primary ballots)
Website: www.maryannpiccioni.com

What are some of the toughest challenges local teachers face in 2025?

My observations as a Tredyffrin-Easttown School Board member highlight two tough challenges for our local teachers: 1. Cyber bullying. In 2024, teachers in the Great Valley School District were targeted by students in a group TikTok attack. Public reactions included stories of student-on-student cyber bullying. 2. Student health and wellness. In 2021, Downingtown, West Chester, and Coatesville experienced teen suicides. The Surgeon General’s Advisory on Youth Mental Health (2023) warned of record-high rates of anxiety and depression among teens. Tredyffrin-Easttown School District has the “Safe2Say Something Anonymous Reporting System” on the website homepage to submit anonymous tips regarding individuals who may be at risk of hurting themselves or others. Also, TESD has many other support systems listed on our website under Community > Family and Community Resources.

I’m confident that TESD has not had these experiences because of the caring teachers in our schools.

Does the prevalence of smartphones in classrooms hinder students' ability to retain lessons taught in school?

As a Policy Committee Board member, we discussed Policy and Regulation 5414 “Electronic Devices: Use By Students” which states: “Each building principal shall have the right to regulate the use of electronic devices in their designated school building”. Parents may discuss suggestions and concerns with their student’s building principal. As a Chester County Intermediate Unit Board member, it was reported that restricting use of electronic devices in certain classrooms aided the students’ ability to retain lessons.

How do you plan to address school safety, as well as the rise in hoax threats toward schools?

Tredyffrin-Easttown School District has rigorous protocols to address school safety and hoax threats evidenced by the August 28, 2025 Conestoga Highschool bomb threat hoax. Go to the www.tesd.net homepage to read the “In The News” item titled:” August 28, 2025 Letter to the Community”.

Are teachers in the district adequately compensated? If not, what should be done to address that.

Yes, Tredyffrin-Easttown School District teachers are adequately funded with provisions for performance, advancement, and longevity.

What can the district do to better support students who are struggling in school due to factors outside classrooms, such as food or housing insecurity?

Tredyffrin-Easttown School District has developed partnerships with organization and community groups for support dealing with factors outside the classrooms. These are listed on our website under Community > Family and Community Resources.