Election 2025: Krista DiPaolo For Centennial School Board

Candidates running in the Nov. 4 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

WARMINSTER TOWNSHIP, PA — Krista DiPaolo is running for a seat on the Centennial School Board in the Nov. 4 general election.

DiPaolo, a Democrat, is among the candidates vying for four-year seats open in several regions.

In Region 1, it's Democrat Elizabeth Montalvo against Republican incumbent Flemming Godiksen.

In Region 2, it's Democrat Krista DiPaolo against Republican incumbent Mark Gindhart.

In Region 3, it's Democrat Karen Kreiger and incumbent School Director Jane Lynch, a Republican running on the Democratic ticket. They face Republican School Board President Mary Alice Brancato and Mark Werner.

Biographical Information

• Name: Krista DiPaolo
• Age: 55
• Town of Residence: Proud resident of Ivyland Borough for 27 years.
• Position sought: Centennial School Board Director – Region 2
• Are you an incumbent? No
• What Towns Does Your Position Cover? Warminster Township – Region 2
• Party Affiliation: Democrat
• Family: Married to my husband, Salvatore DiPaolo, for 26 years. Daughter Adeline (CSD graduate) and Alexandria (senior at William Tennent High School), and family dog, “Sir.”
• Education: B.A. in English, Rutgers University; Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy, Jefferson University.
• Occupation: Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Candidate Questions

1. The public was against the hiring of the new schools superintendent. What is your stance on that?

As a parent, I was deeply concerned by the way the current board selected the new superintendent.

Parents, students, taxpayers, and community members expressed significant concerns and asked the Board to reconsider its choice, yet those voices were largely disregarded.

The overwhelming community response was not favorable toward the selected candidate, and it appeared that the board minority was excluded from meaningful participation in the decision-making process.

I was disappointed by the lack of transparency and the limited information provided to justify the Board’s decision. Even more troubling was the absence of response from the board majority to the many questions and concerns raised by the public.

As a school board director candidate, I found it discouraging — and frankly, disheartening — to see how divided the board has become and how little collaboration took place when differing opinions were expressed. This decision will have a long-lasting impact on our district. Our elected leaders have a duty to listen to and represent their constituents. Unfortunately, in this case, the board majority chose not to do so.

2. What educational background do you bring to the position?

I hold a Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy. I have 21 years of experience working as a pediatric OT with children aged from birth to 18 years. I have worked in Special Education for 25 years. Prior to becoming an OT, I worked as a paraprofessional in the BCIU’s hearing-impaired program. I've also worked for the Philadelphia School District, both the Bucks and Montgomery County Intermediate Units, outpatient pediatric clinics and hospitals, and daycares and preschools in Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. I have served as a Christian educator at my church, Ivyland Presbyterian Church for many years. I have volunteered in the Centennial School District for the past 16 years. I have served on Home and School Boards, as a Booster parent on many sports teams, and served on the Parent Action Committee (PAC).

3. What are the biggest challenges to the school district in the future?

As a candidate, I believe the Centennial School Board must confront several critical challenges in both the immediate and long-term future. These issues demand responsible leadership, collaboration and transparency.

These challenges include the budget, Special Education funding, and Board collaboration and transparency:

1. Budget Stability (short- and long-term)

The most pressing challenge is the district’s financial health. The state budget from the Pennsylvania Department of Education missed the constitutional June 30 deadline and remains unresolved. This delay has disrupted local school planning and created uncertainty in funding for essential educational programs. Locally, the board’s refusal to pass timely budgets in recent years — in order to claim taxes were not raised – has forced the district to deplete reserve funds to stay afloat. This year alone, the district faced a $2 million deficit. Had taxes been managed more responsibly over the past four years, we would be operating with a surplus rather than a structural deficit. Without a clear financial plan, the district risks deeper deficits in future years.

2. Special Education Funding (long-term)

As a licensed pediatric occupational therapist with 21 years of experience, I have seen firsthand the strain that underfunded special education services place on school systems. These programs are state mandated but not fully funded, leaving districts like ours struggling to meet student needs. Centennial must find sustainable ways to fund and prioritize special education – this issue affects not only our students, but also teachers and support staff working without adequate resources.

3. Board Collaboration and Public Trust (immediate and ongoing)

The board’s recent 5–4 split in the hiring of the superintendent highlighted a troubling lack of unity and transparency. Despite repeated calls from the community for openness, the majority did not engage meaningfully with stakeholders. This pattern of divisiveness has eroded trust among parents, staff and taxpayers. We need a board that works collaboratively, puts students first, and reflects the values of the entire community, not just a narrow majority. Moving forward, the board must function as a unified body committed to shared goals, not factions with competing agendas.