Ginny Cairo-Vitella Is Running For A Seat On The Upper Dublin School Board

UPPER DUBLIN, PA — As Patch continues its pre-election coverage, take the time to meet Ginny Cairo-Vitella, one of the candidates running for a seat on the Upper Dublin School Board.

See below how she responded to a Patch candidate questionnaire.

Age (as of Election Day)

54

Party Affiliation

I am part of the Upper Dublin United team of candidates. School Board is a non-political position.

Family

Happily married mom with three kids (10th and 11th graders at UDHS and a 7th grader at Sandy Run Middle School) and two Labradoodles. I have lived in UD for 52 years. My father and I are both proud UD grads. Tireless volunteer. Field Hockey Coach. Golfer.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

Masters, Finance (Temple University). BS, Accounting (Penn State)

Occupation

Certified Public Accountant / Business Owner for 30+ years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None.

Campaign website

www.UDunited.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

• HELP IS ON THE WAY!
• I am running to represent and give a voice to every UD stakeholder and taxpayer
(differing opinions have been silenced and there are too many unanswered questions).
• I have attended all school board meetings for nine years and counting. I also frequent
UD Township meetings and I see room for improvement, especially fiscally:
o DEBT: UDSD is $191 million in debt with $12.5 million in annual debt service
payments. For comparison, Wissahickon SD is $22 million in debt with only
$1.4m in annual debt service payments. Both have $107 million annual
budgets. (PS: UD facilities require an additional $30–$40 million for
improvements)
o TAXES: Homeowners have experienced a 50% TAX INCREASE In Just 12 Years
o LAWSUITS: UDSD has been sued for failing to comply with ADA (American
Disabilities Act) laws. The current board chose to pay hundreds of thousands
of legal fees to fight, rather than doing the right thing by providing safe and
equal access. (Not only once but they did this twice)
o INCONSISTENT RANKINGS: School rankings are falling compared to
neighboring districts, who spend and tax less
o GROUP THINK: School Board Votes are consistently 9-0. It’s time to realize that
healthy debate can result in better solutions. Overall lack of diversity of ideas
and creative problem solving.
• I love Upper Dublin and I want to help in any way I can, for all taxpayers, students,
teachers, staff, and community members.

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

TRANSPARENCY:
We need pro-active communication with the community. Running a school district involves many different pieces to the puzzle, education, policy, facilities, and finance. The school board is responsible for a $107 MILLION budget and the tax increases imposed each year.
• It is important that we recognize those in the community who worry about affording to live in Upper Dublin after their children graduate.
• We must maintain our buildings while providing a quality education for our students and should allow stakeholders to participate in discussions and offer their personal and expert suggestions.
• We need to run a budget that is not in a structural deficit and specific reasons why any tax increase may be needed.
• Continue working with and providing information regarding a long-term capital plan.
• Send all taxpayers quarterly mailers
• Create a List Serv for community members who do not have children attending the schools.
• Continue open conversations about equity to ensure safe, inclusive, and equitable opportunities for all.
• A suggestion box should be offered so more voices are heard.
• Offer open and easily accessible meetings, “meet and greets” and townhall meetings.

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

• I am a CPA! I understand budgets and want to help UD get on track for a financially healthy future.
• We are not backed, supported, or endorsed by a political party. We are parents, not politicians, who want to do what we can to represent members of our community, students, teachers, staff, regardless of their political party registration.
• A UD United is better than a UD divided. Our team has been attacked, lied about, and treated very poorly by others with broad brush accusations and false rhetoric.
• We want people to be heard, we will show empathy and we will do what we can to come to real solutions and compromises, not shut down those who may disagree.
• Asking questions should not be divisive they should be welcomed. If we start showing some kindness, then the adults can set an example for the children.

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

I have said, if you do not even recognize that problems exist, you cannot fix them. There is room for improvement in education, taxes, debt, finances, and facilities. The Board should be honest and transparent in all aspects of running our school district. I have a growing list of questions that remain unanswered:
• What happened to the $3.6 million that was allocated to the bus depot that was never built?
• Will our taxes return to their base prior to the increase for the High School once the debt is paid off?
• Who are the members of the endorsement committee?
• How much taxpayer money has been spent on the multiple lawsuits that have been lost?
• How much were the legal fees for these lawsuits?
• Why are we not doing more regular curriculum reviews?
• What is the measurement of success for any new curriculum?
• How are committee people selected?
• Why do we continue to use the same vendors, even after less-than-ideal outcomes?

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

WE ARE UPPER DUBLIN UNITED, and we are running for Upper Dublin School Board as NON-partisan concerned citizens and parents who support student achievement, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and a vision for long range plans in academics, budgeting, and facilities. Our hope is to open communication between the school board, administration, and the community. Good communication is essential for the success of our district as we work towards the common goals of the people of our beloved community, Upper Dublin. United We Can:
• Put students first
• Work for Smart Spending
• Setting a goal of ZERO tax increases
• Voting for budgets WITHOUT shortfalls
• Set Term Limits for School Board Directors
• Voting AGAINST the proposed $7.8 Million Bus Depot
• Voting AGAINST new borrowings that would add to the $191 Million of debt
• Providing DIVERSITY of thought
• Ensuring safe, inclusive, and equitable opportunities FOR ALL
• Pro-Active COMMUNICATION including virtual options and in-person meetings
• COLLABORATING with UD Township for unity, problem solving and best outcomes.
• Show Respect for All Citizens' Opinions!!!

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

• For the last nine years, I have attended most school board legislative and committee meetings as well as many township meetings and have gained knowledge and understanding of the school district's curriculum, activities, policies, finances, and operations and know my professional experience and leadership skills would be an asset to this district.
• Sandy Run Project Review Committee Member
• Strategic Action Planning Finance Committee Member
• Recipient of the 2020 FWES Shirley Zeper Service Award for “generous commitment of time, dedication and inspiration”.
• Advocate to save the planetarium, Field of Dreams and Upper Dublin Athletics as part of the grass roots effort to save sports
• SRMS PTO President (since 2017)
• UDHS Field Hockey Coach
• SRMS School Store Leader
• Student Directory Creator
• Previous FWES Room Mom
• Big Strides Running Club Organizer
• Orchestrated promotion ceremonies, student gifts, flag football, time capsules, fifth grade trips, class projects, gifts & murals.
• School Play Coordinator
• I love the Upper Dublin community and want to do all I can to help achieve excellence in education for our children!

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be kind, listen, help when and where needed and always keep an open mind and a smile on your face.

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

• I am passionate about Upper Dublin, the place I have called home for 52 years. We are an excellent school district and community and I want the opportunity to REPRESENT YOU on the UD School Board.
• As the child of a teacher, I value the importance of education and will put our students and the interests of our taxpayers above political agendas while restoring the trust and confidence in the school board, district, and our beloved UD Community.
• I genuinely care about making our community the best it can be.