Maryann Piccioni: Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board Director Candidate

TREDYFFRIN-EASTTOWN, PA — The primary election is coming up, and voters in Tredyffrin and Easttown townships should get to know who is on the ballot as they prepare to cast their votes on May 20.

Below is a profile of Tredyffrin/Easttown School District board director candidate Maryann Piccioni:

Name: Maryann Piccioni
Age: 40-year Easttown resident
Gender: Woman
Location/Town: Paoli
Position Sought: Tredyffrin/Easttown Region 3 School Director
Party: Democratic & Republican Primary Ballots
Campaign website/social media: www.maryannpiccioni.com

Why do you want to help shape policy in the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District?

These past 3+ years serving on the T/E School Board have been very rewarding. I’ve brought valuable experience to the Board with four children, Camilla, Annamarie, and A. Joseph who are graduates of Devon Elementary, T/E Middle School, and Conestoga High School. Elizabeth is a graduate of St. Norbert Catholic School, and Conestoga High School. I started a monthly visiting hour at the Easttown Library to hear residents’ perspectives on our schools. It is important for me to listen to other’s viewpoints so that I may make the strongest contribution to Board policies and actions.

What are the biggest issues at hand in the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District?

The first issue is the dramatic and extensive changes to federal public education policies that impact State public education, and consequently Local Education Agencies such as the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District. The second issue is the lack of federal funding priorities for public education.

How do you plan to address them?

As the Chair of the Ad Hoc Legislative Committee, I will continue, along with Committee members, to advance the goals of District legislative advocacy, and determine appropriate methods to influence state and federal representatives.

How would you handle any impacts the paring down of the U.S. Department of Education may have on the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District?

Tredyffrin/Easttown School District (TESD) receives almost $900,000 in federal funding or 0.5% of our budget. It is obvious that if federal and/or state funds are paired down then we must increase our tax rate to the extent allowed by law.

NPR/WHYY reports that “Civil rights enforcement has been dramatically cut”. I will continue to support our district statement: “TESD will ensure that it is not engaging in any educational or employment practices that constitute discrimination against or favoritism towards any group of people. To that end, TESD always has and will continue to hire the most qualified employees regardless of race, sex or other status. We will continue, in consultation with legal counsel, to review the intent and impact of changes at the federal and state level.”

What is your favorite aspect of living in Tredyffrin/Easttown?

We moved to Easttown for the public schools. It is a privilege to serve on the T/E School Board and on the Chester County Intermediate Unit Board of Directors. A favorite is the library. I appreciate the opportunity to have served as the Easttown Library Development Director for the capital rebuilding campaign. I enjoy volunteering with St. Norbert Catholic Church and the PMB Rotary Club. I also enjoyed being involved with Girl Scout troops along with having served on the Board of Directors of the Girl Scout Regional Council.

Tell voters what you like to do in your personal life/spare time

I like taking care of my family. I enjoy music and theater performances. I appreciate hiking in local, State, and National Parks.