StateCollege.com editor Geoff Rushton conducted interviews hosted by C-NET with candidates for several offices on local ballots in the May 16 primary election. Today we’re featuring the interviews with candidates for State College Area School District Board of Directors.
Previously:
• Centre County Judge
• State College Borough Council
THE ELECTION
Five State College Area School Board seats are up for election this year, each for four year terms. Eleven candidates — three incumbents and eight challengers — will appear on both Democratic and Republican primary ballots. All candidates are cross-filed, as is typical for school board elections, and voters will choose five in the party primaries, meaning as many as 10 or as few as five will advance to the November election.
Four candidates — Nathan Bish, Barry Fenchak, John Krajcovic and Michelle Young — are aligned with the United for SCASD slate. Five — Amy Bader, Gretchen Brandt, Anne Demo, Dan Kolbe and Aaron Miller — are aligned with Slate for State. Megan Layng was initially on the United for SCASD slate but they parted ways in April. Laurel Zydney is not affiliated with any slate or joint campaign.
THE CANDIDATES
In their C-NET interviews, candidates answered, as time permitted, questions about why they are running, challenges facing the district, campaign funding, board engagement and transparency, budgets and taxes, fiscal accountability, representing diverse constituencies, ensuring academic success for all students and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
• Amy Bader (incumbent)
Facebook page | Slate for State website
• Nathan Bish – Did not participate in a C-NET interview
Facebook page | United for SCASD website
• Gretchen Brandt (incumbent)
Facebook page | Slate for State website
• Anne Demo
Facebook page | Slate for State website
• Barry Fenchak – Did not participate in a C-NET interview
United for SCASD website
• Dan Kolbe
Facebook page | Slate for State website
• John Krajcovic
United for SCASD website
• Megan Layng – Chose not to participate
Facebook page | Campaign website
• Aaron Miller
Facebook page | Slate for State website
• Michelle Young
Facebook page | United for SCASD website
• Laurel Zydney
Facebook page | Campaign website
Primary Election Day is May 16. For voting locations, sample ballots and other election information, visit centrecountyvotes.gov.
