Meet Andy Kessler, A Democrat Seeking A Seat On The Upper Dublin School Board

UPPER DUBLIN, PA — Patch continues its ongoing pre-election coverage with a profile of Andy Kessler, who is running for a seat on the Upper Dublin School Board.

See below Kessler's responses to a Patch candidate questionnaire.

Age (as of Election Day)

55

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

My daughter is a current student at Fort Washington Elementary School.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

N/A

Education

J.D. (cum laude); Temple University School of Law 1991
B.A. (summa cum laude); Temple University 1988
B.A. Central High School, Philadelphia, PA 1984

Occupation

Attorney (1991--present)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

www.udalliance.org

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am a firm believer that a vibrant and effective public school education is the most vital important contribution that society can provide to its younger generations. I am seeking office to do my part to ensure that the students in Upper Dublin School District (today and in the future) are offered an excellent public school education which will put them on the path to success.

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

Continuing to provide an excellent education to all of its students and provide the resources that our students, teachers and staff need to succeed.

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

Our slate teams two candidates with experience (Mark Sirota and Titia Scherpbier) with two candidates (myself and Jenna Evans) who will bring fresh perspectives to address the challenges that the School Board will need to address.

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

I do not believe that the current School Board has "failed" the community. I believe that the Board has the District on the right path, moving forward to ensure an excellent education for all of its students.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I believe that we must continue to focus on ensuring that diversity, equity and inclusion is part of the public school experience for students, teachers and staff.

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

As a trial attorney, I spend a considerable amount of time in the analysis of evidence and in being an effective communicator. I believe that both of these skills are well suited to serve as a foundation for being an effective School Director who can assess the information that I am provided with about a variety of issues and who can then ask the "right" questions about the topic at issue.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Listen first to ensure that I consider other points of view.

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

I am the product of an excellent public school education which shaped the person who I have become. I attended a culturally diverse high school that demonstrated to me that the differences that people have in their backgrounds is something that should be appreciated and valued. Public schools are the backbone of our democracy and as such should be cherished and supported. I am committed to doing the work that is involved to deliver an excellent public school education to the students of Upper Dublin School District.