Students first

Manheim Township Schools should strive to create a learning environment in which each student can excel according to his/her talents and abilities. Whether our students need our support to reach high school graduation or access to the next level of academic success, all of our students benefit when the total program is comprehensive and well-balanced.

Community Partnerships

Communities are enriched by quality schools as well. Parents, employers, and all interested community members should have a voice in district decision making through open communication, work group participation, and partnerships to support academic, extra-curricular, and scholarship programs.

A Comprehensive Approach

Manheim Township needs a balanced approach to problem solving which is sensible and honest about our fiscal situation but refuses to accept mediocrity as our only recourse. In addition to focusing inwardly on our programs and expenses we must also become pro-active in our approach to state and national budget issues as they affect our students and schools.

What we truly can’t afford is more cuts in the reimbursement formula, unfunded mandates with no local input, and programs which rob funding from public education, especially when there is no accountability for those funds.  Our community must remain vigilant and address the broad scope of issues if we are to prevent a succession of program and staffing reductions and ultimately reductions in property values and quality education.

Discussions of schools and education are filled with extreme language regarding reform, standards, and measures of achievement. Yet research supports that what the public wants is consistency in policy and measured change. Our community wants to know that the interests of all stakeholders in the Manheim Township School District are represented and that the issues are studied openly and fairly whether in regard to budget, curriculum, professional staffing or property management. And the Manheim Township Board has generally done that. Mine is not a candidacy against anyone or for a particular issue but an attempt to maintain open and informed dialogue in this environment of fiscal constraints and social pressure on public education.

The major focus of my candidacy then is balance. Balance requires more than compromise. Balance means that facts have been discerned from perspective or opinion. Numbers are real, not just statistics. Participants are knowledgeable and not just passionate on a particular matter. Balance means everyone involved is looking for the best means of moving the district forward; preparing our students for unknown futures and maintaining the educational expectations of our community. 

To accomplish the goal of maintaining and advancing the mission of the Manheim Township School District, we must adhere to the following ideals:

  • Continue to offer a quality program of both academic and extra-curricular opportunities

  • Demonstrate fiscal responsibility which promotes the excellent reputation of Manheim Township Schools while recognizing the limitations of our current financial downturn

  • Promote an academic environment with clearly defined standards of performance and discipline instituted for the benefit of all students

  • Respect and affirm the contributions of the professional, paraprofessional and support staff as participants in the welfare of the school district

If we are to be successful in maintaining these high ideals, we will need the assistance of the state and federal governments. It is time to address the shortcomings of the current funding formula and tax codes. We must have a real investigation into the barriers to real school reform which focuses on the following improvements:

  • Releasing school districts from unnecessary unfunded mandates

  • Recognizing the value of school-based curriculum and pedagogy decisions

  • Placing less attention on testing results and more on student achievement

  • Providing the much-promised overhaul of the tax code and funding formula

Contribute to JoAnn's School Board Campaign

Make Checks payable to:

Hentz for Manheim Township Schools

Mail Checks to:

Elaine Austin, Treasurer
357 Travis Lane
Lancaster, PA 17601-2927

 Contribute on-line: click here

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 Paid for by Hentz for Manheim Township Schools, Elaine Austin Treasurer
357 Travis Lane, Lancaster, PA 17601
joann@joannhentz.com