The sixth installment of our series of interviews with school director candidates across the state brings us to the East Penn School District.

Angelic Schneider is running for school director in the East Penn School District, located in Lehigh County. She is a registered Republican and a middle school teacher.

Why are you running for school board?

“Initially, I became interested in running for school director due to the lack of transparency from our current board. One of my children came home from school with an assignment that led me on an exploration into how the district was allowing certain teachers to push their own political agendas. My son was given a list of topics to write about from the school librarian which included white privilege, sanctuary cities, police brutality, and Black Lives Matter. This is just a small sample. Our current board passed a policy in August allowing boys in the girls’ locker rooms and restrooms if they identify as a girl. I was shocked and knew parents needed to understand what was happening in our schools. Our district and school board lack transparency.”

What are the most important issues facing your district?

“The most important issues facing the East Penn School District presently are the safety of our schools, transparency of our leadership, accountability for our board and administration, academic achievement, and loud outside voices pushing political agendas.”

What is your professional background/experience? What skills would you bring to the board?

“As a public school educator, I bring over twenty years of educational experience to the board that currently lacks the daily insight as to what is actually happening within our schools. I can speak from the perspective of an educator, a parent, and community member. I am outspoken and not afraid to discuss the tough issues facing education today. I also hold a master’s degree in elementary education from Kutztown University and worked for seven years with students struggling with mental health issues.”

Have you run for political office previously? Have you been politically active?

“I have not run for political office previously. However, I have been active in the Republican Party.”

Are you running with other candidates?

“I am running with a slate of four other candidates, under the group Your Voice on the Board.“

What is the most important role of the school board in your opinion?

“I believe the most important roles are to improve student achievement and to implement policies and regulations that benefit all children. The board needs to bring all stakeholders together in the interest of achieving district goals.”

We contacted the Democratic and Republican committees in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, and Montgomery counties and asked them to share the questions above with their school director candidates. Broad + Liberty will post the responses throughout the summer to assist voters in learning about the candidates running in their district. The series is open to any school director on the ballot in November. Please contact barosica@broadandliberty.com for more information.

Broad + Liberty is a nonprofit media endeavor dedicated to sharing voices and stories that are shut out of other media outlets. @BroadAndLiberty