1 00:00:01,420 --> 00:00:02,350 Starting now. 2 00:00:03,050 --> 00:00:07,270 Commonalities where guests find common ground through uncommon 3 00:00:07,290 --> 00:00:10,910 conversations, politics, religion, finances, 4 00:00:11,010 --> 00:00:14,590 all the topics your grandmother told you not to discuss with friends. 5 00:00:14,930 --> 00:00:17,550 And now your host, Matthew Dowling, 6 00:00:17,770 --> 00:00:20,590 and today's guests on commonalities. 7 00:00:25,350 --> 00:00:25,910 Thank. 8 00:00:25,910 --> 00:00:29,430 You for tuning into another episode of Commonalities. I'm your host, 9 00:00:29,430 --> 00:00:32,310 Matt Dowling. My guest today is James Moore. 10 00:00:32,590 --> 00:00:37,070 James is a candidate for the Connellsville Area School District, uh, 11 00:00:37,100 --> 00:00:41,270 school board a a school director position. Uh, 12 00:00:41,370 --> 00:00:44,510 and James, we wanna thank you for having you on today's program. 13 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:47,390 Uh, thank you for having me. 14 00:00:48,060 --> 00:00:51,550 Well, you know, there's, uh, there's always a, a, 15 00:00:51,660 --> 00:00:56,030 a question when you're running for public office and, uh, we'll start there. 16 00:00:56,030 --> 00:00:57,870 And that question is, you know, 17 00:00:57,980 --> 00:01:02,550 what made you feel called to run for public 18 00:01:02,550 --> 00:01:05,990 office? Why, uh, why do you want to be a school board member? Basically? 19 00:01:07,880 --> 00:01:12,030 Uh, I've been involved with a lot of youth sports over the years, uh, 20 00:01:12,030 --> 00:01:16,820 going on 15 years now. I've participated in youth sports as a coach or, 21 00:01:17,590 --> 00:01:19,260 uh, director of a basketball league, 22 00:01:19,970 --> 00:01:24,870 but I just dealing with the kids on a daily basis, you see a lot of, uh, 23 00:01:24,940 --> 00:01:28,160 I guess how you could say where we're failing them. Um, 24 00:01:28,620 --> 00:01:33,540 and I do as much as I can as an outsider with 25 00:01:33,540 --> 00:01:35,260 my league and the coaching, 26 00:01:35,260 --> 00:01:40,220 but comes a time when you seemed like it was just necessary to step up and try 27 00:01:40,220 --> 00:01:42,100 to make a more, more of a change from the inside. 28 00:01:43,410 --> 00:01:46,380 Well, let's talk a little bit, uh, before we, 29 00:01:46,380 --> 00:01:50,540 we get too far in the interview about, uh, kind of your personal background. 30 00:01:50,540 --> 00:01:53,740 You said you've been involved in youth sports. Uh, 31 00:01:53,740 --> 00:01:57,220 do you have any kids there at home, and if so, what age and grades are they? 32 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:03,430 Uh, yes. I have three kids. Two are currently enrolled in, uh, 33 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:05,950 PA Cyber Charter School, but they're, uh, 34 00:02:06,260 --> 00:02:11,030 they participate in sports for convo school district. Uh, my daughter's 14, 35 00:02:11,030 --> 00:02:14,950 she participates in wrestling track. Um, 36 00:02:15,060 --> 00:02:18,190 I think she's gonna try soccer this year. And my son, 37 00:02:18,190 --> 00:02:22,870 he does football and he tried basketball team but 38 00:02:22,980 --> 00:02:24,350 didn't make it <laugh>. 39 00:02:24,490 --> 00:02:27,310 And then my oldest daughter graduated from Laurel Highlands. 40 00:02:28,950 --> 00:02:33,680 Okay. So you talked a little bit about your experience as, uh, 41 00:02:33,770 --> 00:02:38,400 as a coach, et cetera, in youth sports, but my next question is, you know, 42 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:43,080 what particular experiences or skills do you think that you have that 43 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:47,000 prepared you, uh, to serve as a school board member? 44 00:02:49,130 --> 00:02:53,720 Uh, just working on a regular basis with families and children in the, 45 00:02:53,770 --> 00:02:55,960 in the district. Um, 46 00:02:56,550 --> 00:03:01,320 I've been in management positions at several of my jobs in the past. Um, 47 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,680 I earned my own business with more, more EWA services. 48 00:03:06,170 --> 00:03:10,800 Um, I've, I've run the actual Cargo basketball Association Basketball League. 49 00:03:11,190 --> 00:03:15,640 I've been doing that for better part of nine years now. So I, 50 00:03:15,640 --> 00:03:16,473 I've done a lot, 51 00:03:16,630 --> 00:03:21,320 I have a lot of experience just dealing with people in the 52 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:25,160 district. Well, I like to use them. Go ahead. 53 00:03:25,160 --> 00:03:30,160 And you, you mentioned the fact that, uh, that you own your own business. And, 54 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:34,960 you know, when I look for candidates for any public office, uh, you know, 55 00:03:35,030 --> 00:03:35,320 I, 56 00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:40,240 I always love small business owners because those people that sign the 57 00:03:40,240 --> 00:03:42,280 front of paychecks rather than, uh, 58 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:46,400 just signing the backup paychecks know that they can only spend what they have 59 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:50,440 in their, their coffers in their accounts to, uh, uh, 60 00:03:50,620 --> 00:03:54,880 for their businesses. And hopefully that translates into government as well. 61 00:03:55,300 --> 00:03:58,440 And, uh, and you're able to keep taxes low and, 62 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:00,960 and the burden low on, uh, 63 00:04:01,450 --> 00:04:03,520 on our local citizens, 64 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:07,960 especially our senior citizens that we have throughout our area. 65 00:04:08,490 --> 00:04:13,040 So you talked about what would make you a good school board member and why you 66 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:17,320 think, uh, you should be elected to the school board. My question would be, 67 00:04:17,340 --> 00:04:22,080 you know, what makes you different from anyone else on the ballot? 68 00:04:22,210 --> 00:04:25,920 Uh, what differentiates you and, and makes you, uh, 69 00:04:26,310 --> 00:04:28,400 a better candidate than maybe some of the others? 70 00:04:30,490 --> 00:04:33,830 I'm sure each candidate comes with their own positive and negative, 71 00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:37,270 as most of us do. Um, I like to think that my, 72 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:42,070 my entire focus is on the students and the families, um, first, 73 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:46,830 um, are putting all politics aside. Um, 74 00:04:46,830 --> 00:04:51,310 we need to do a better job of preparing these children for their future. Um, 75 00:04:51,310 --> 00:04:53,510 many of these kids are coming out of high school right now, 76 00:04:53,510 --> 00:04:57,590 not being prepared for what life has to, to offer. Um, 77 00:04:59,290 --> 00:05:01,870 I'd just like to see, see us get a, 78 00:05:01,870 --> 00:05:06,110 a better grasp of getting these kids more prepared, getting back to the basics, 79 00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:11,230 um, especially with their English language, the reading, um, 80 00:05:11,420 --> 00:05:15,760 math skills. We seem to be losing a little bit of that, 81 00:05:16,170 --> 00:05:18,320 um, especially in this district. I know we're, 82 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:23,200 I think we're right up below average on the reading proficiency on the 83 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:26,320 testing, so I'd like to see that increased a lot. 84 00:05:28,810 --> 00:05:31,480 So, you know, you brought up the word politics, 85 00:05:31,540 --> 00:05:35,760 and we're coming up quickly here on the May primary election. 86 00:05:36,490 --> 00:05:41,080 Um, you know, did you cross foul or are you going to be, uh, running, 87 00:05:41,370 --> 00:05:45,720 uh, on the Democrat ticket and the Republican ticket, or just one or the other? 88 00:05:45,930 --> 00:05:49,240 Uh, you know, if someone's going into the voting booth, uh, 89 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:52,640 what parties will be able to find you here in the primary election? 90 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:57,600 Uh, I am cross. Um, I know that's a, 91 00:05:57,910 --> 00:06:01,160 that's always been a tipping point for you, I think. Um, 92 00:06:01,340 --> 00:06:06,080 but I believe that cross filing, really the, 93 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:10,040 the school board should be a, an apolitical, uh, entity. I mean, 94 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:12,120 the politics will always place some part in it, 95 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:17,040 but if everybody comes together and focuses on what is needed to be done 96 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:20,560 for the district and for the students and families of that district, uh, 97 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:24,840 politics should be put to the side. I would hope that most of the voters would, 98 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:29,880 would do their due diligence and look at each candidate individually and not 99 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:30,960 just along the party lines. 100 00:06:32,450 --> 00:06:35,980 Sure. And, and that's the reason that, uh, cross fouling is, 101 00:06:36,270 --> 00:06:40,500 is currently allowed. And, and I'm sure many of the listeners have heard, 102 00:06:40,990 --> 00:06:44,820 um, kind of my theories on cross fouling and, and the fact that I don't, 103 00:06:44,840 --> 00:06:49,060 you know, necessarily, uh, like cross fouling, but the, 104 00:06:49,060 --> 00:06:54,060 the idea is that our judicial candidates and our candidates for school boards 105 00:06:54,060 --> 00:06:59,060 should be apolitical. And, uh, and in many cases, they are. Um, 106 00:06:59,080 --> 00:07:03,100 and that's the reason why cross fouling is, is currently, uh, 107 00:07:03,150 --> 00:07:07,300 allowed within our, uh, within our system. Um, 108 00:07:07,690 --> 00:07:11,020 I have a, a number of other questions that I have for you here, 109 00:07:11,020 --> 00:07:15,460 but I think we should get our first break in. Uh, and when we come back, 110 00:07:15,460 --> 00:07:19,260 we'll be talking a little bit more, uh, 111 00:07:19,260 --> 00:07:23,620 about your candidacy and, uh, giving our listeners a chance to, 112 00:07:23,870 --> 00:07:28,060 to know you, uh, as a candidate for the Connellsville Area School Board. 113 00:07:31,390 --> 00:07:35,800 Your listening to commonalities where guests find common ground through 114 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:37,480 uncommon Conversations. 115 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:41,600 We'll be back after this brief break to recognize our sponsors. 116 00:07:44,740 --> 00:07:47,600 I'm Melinda De LaRose. As an Assistant District Attorney, 117 00:07:47,630 --> 00:07:51,640 I've protected Fayette County families and fought to uphold our constitutional 118 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:54,360 rights. As a prosecutor and trusted local attorney, 119 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:58,520 I've provided victims of crime with a strong voice and put criminals behind 120 00:07:58,520 --> 00:08:01,880 bars. 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Again, 168 00:11:03,810 --> 00:11:07,890 that is donate.commonalities.online on the worldwide web. 169 00:11:08,110 --> 00:11:12,650 Buy our host a cup of coffee or help pay for airtime at donate dot commonalities 170 00:11:12,650 --> 00:11:13,483 online. 171 00:11:17,210 --> 00:11:20,300 Thanks for sticking with us through the break here on commonalities. 172 00:11:20,300 --> 00:11:22,500 I'm your host, Matt Dowling. Uh, 173 00:11:22,580 --> 00:11:26,700 my guest today is a candidate for the Connellsville Area School Board. 174 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:31,300 And, uh, and we've been talking a little bit about, uh, 175 00:11:31,300 --> 00:11:34,820 his candidacy. He has a strong background, uh, 176 00:11:34,990 --> 00:11:39,780 in youth activities, youth sports. His name is James Moore, and, 177 00:11:39,780 --> 00:11:43,020 uh, he is cross foul. So if you're going into the, uh, 178 00:11:43,420 --> 00:11:47,980 election booth here in the primary election, you'll find him both, uh, 179 00:11:47,980 --> 00:11:51,340 listed as a Democrat and a Republican. Uh, again, 180 00:11:51,340 --> 00:11:55,800 for Connellsville School Board. Uh, James, you know, uh, 181 00:11:55,940 --> 00:11:59,200 one of the things that I wanted to ask you was, uh, 182 00:11:59,820 --> 00:12:04,640 was what do you see as the biggest problem that 183 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:08,920 needs addressed right now, uh, in the Ville School District, 184 00:12:09,020 --> 00:12:13,680 and how do you think as a board member you'll be able to, 185 00:12:13,730 --> 00:12:15,480 uh, to help address that issue? 186 00:12:17,330 --> 00:12:19,840 Uh, there's quite a few issues actually, but, um, 187 00:12:20,540 --> 00:12:24,920 one of the biggest ones just getting our, our, our testing skills up, um, 188 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:27,600 our testing levels up, I'm sorry, but, um, 189 00:12:27,730 --> 00:12:30,480 to get these kids more prepared, um, 190 00:12:31,670 --> 00:12:34,540 we need to get more enrichment classes in terms of the, 191 00:12:34,540 --> 00:12:37,620 the necessary skills needed. Um, 192 00:12:37,620 --> 00:12:40,740 I know we offer a lot of art and science, but I think we've, 193 00:12:40,820 --> 00:12:44,580 we've lost focus a little bit on the more of the basics with the reading, 194 00:12:44,580 --> 00:12:48,380 writing, arithmetics, uh, what we grew up with, the three Rs. 195 00:12:49,430 --> 00:12:54,320 Um, that, that's my biggest issue. I know we need to do a little bit of, 196 00:12:54,320 --> 00:12:58,400 um, little re repairing on the, 197 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:02,360 the bullying and the, the amount of, uh, 198 00:13:02,750 --> 00:13:05,120 I don't know how, not violence, 199 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:08,080 but just the way that the students treat each other, 200 00:13:08,830 --> 00:13:10,320 I guess is the best way to say it. 201 00:13:11,980 --> 00:13:16,910 Sure. And, uh, and you know, the fact of the matter is that, uh, 202 00:13:16,910 --> 00:13:19,910 here in the United States, um, in, 203 00:13:19,920 --> 00:13:24,270 in those three Rs and literacy and, uh, and so forth, 204 00:13:24,530 --> 00:13:26,070 you know, we are not, 205 00:13:26,430 --> 00:13:30,830 we're not reaching the same levels that we did as a country before. 206 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:34,230 Uh, and in addition to that, um, 207 00:13:34,230 --> 00:13:38,470 we're kind of hauling behind other countries, uh, 208 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:43,470 as far as as reading and writing and, and our, uh, 209 00:13:43,770 --> 00:13:46,310 our math courses, um, you know, 210 00:13:46,310 --> 00:13:50,870 China out outperforms the United States. Um, so I, 211 00:13:50,870 --> 00:13:52,830 I do think it's worth, uh, 212 00:13:52,860 --> 00:13:57,430 focusing on those important fundamentals within 213 00:13:57,650 --> 00:14:01,830 our local, uh, public school districts. Um, 214 00:14:01,830 --> 00:14:06,070 now you mentioned at the top of the interview that, um, 215 00:14:06,070 --> 00:14:10,870 you have kids that go to cyber charter schools and, and my two sons, uh, attend, 216 00:14:11,120 --> 00:14:15,630 uh, a cyber charter school. They're, uh, with Commonwealth Charter Academy. 217 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:20,470 Um, and my question to you is, you know, 218 00:14:20,470 --> 00:14:25,110 why did you make the decision to send two of your three kids to, uh, 219 00:14:25,110 --> 00:14:28,990 a cyber charter? And what's your experience been like, uh, 220 00:14:28,990 --> 00:14:30,790 in that cyber charter environment? 221 00:14:32,470 --> 00:14:37,140 Uh, mainly that I sent my two were, because of how active they are in sports, 222 00:14:37,390 --> 00:14:38,223 um, 223 00:14:38,370 --> 00:14:43,180 a lot of the activities going until rather late and was getting in at 11 o'clock 224 00:14:43,180 --> 00:14:46,460 at night, sometimes 1130, and then getting back up at five 30 in the morning. 225 00:14:46,460 --> 00:14:50,980 It was, to me, I thought it was detrimental to their education and to their, uh, 226 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:52,600 mental and physical health. 227 00:14:53,290 --> 00:14:57,520 So that was the biggest reason we transferred 'em over. Um, 228 00:14:57,520 --> 00:15:00,200 then a little bit of the, during the whole, uh, 229 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:04,360 pandemic when all that was going on, we, that's when we pulled 'em out, 230 00:15:04,360 --> 00:15:09,240 but the primary thing was just with the athletics and trying to get them to rest 231 00:15:09,520 --> 00:15:13,440 they needed, and also being able to do the schoolwork. But overall, we've had a, 232 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:17,680 they've had a great, great education so far with the cyber school. 233 00:15:18,570 --> 00:15:22,160 Um, they seem to enjoy, they get a lot of, uh, 234 00:15:22,160 --> 00:15:26,200 courses that they sometimes aren't offered at the public school level. 235 00:15:26,930 --> 00:15:30,680 Um, with that being said there, they've always gonna be a place for public. I, 236 00:15:30,790 --> 00:15:35,520 I don't, I don't, I think there needs to be a fair balance between the two. 237 00:15:35,670 --> 00:15:37,080 I know there's a lot of, uh, 238 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:40,360 pushing and shoving between the charter schools and the public schools right 239 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:41,193 now. 240 00:15:42,660 --> 00:15:46,370 So my next question has to deal with, uh, 241 00:15:46,370 --> 00:15:49,130 with how you want to deal with the administration. 242 00:15:49,130 --> 00:15:53,930 You've already touched on the fact that you've had to work with different, uh, 243 00:15:54,450 --> 00:15:59,250 different people, uh, in, you know, volunteer situations and, 244 00:15:59,250 --> 00:16:02,730 and people of differing opinions. But my question is, 245 00:16:02,730 --> 00:16:07,090 what is the best way to address differences of opinion, uh, 246 00:16:07,100 --> 00:16:11,050 on the board or between the board and administration? 247 00:16:11,050 --> 00:16:14,890 Because sometimes you're superintendent's gonna come to you, uh, 248 00:16:14,890 --> 00:16:19,410 with a problem and, you know, maybe the school board doesn't necessarily, 249 00:16:20,140 --> 00:16:24,170 uh, agree with the way that the administration wants to handle that issue. 250 00:16:24,470 --> 00:16:28,650 You know, how do you as a school board member, um, you know, 251 00:16:28,650 --> 00:16:33,450 handle those situations of maybe confrontation or differences of opinion? 252 00:16:35,670 --> 00:16:38,380 Uh, it should never really be a confrontation. I mean, if, 253 00:16:38,390 --> 00:16:40,780 if all sides are working towards the same goal, 254 00:16:40,780 --> 00:16:45,020 there should be a way that we can sit down, hash out the issues, 255 00:16:45,020 --> 00:16:48,900 and come to a meaningful, um, conclusion. Um, 256 00:16:49,150 --> 00:16:53,260 if we're constantly in fighting amongst the board or administration or, 257 00:16:53,260 --> 00:16:56,980 or between the both, um, we're not gonna get much accomplished. 258 00:16:56,980 --> 00:17:00,940 And then in the end, the students are the ones that will suffer. Um, 259 00:17:00,940 --> 00:17:05,540 there should always be some way that you can come to a meaningful 260 00:17:05,540 --> 00:17:08,620 conclusion to, to do better for the school district. 261 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:14,810 Sure. And then, you know, I, I served, uh, for six years in, 262 00:17:14,810 --> 00:17:18,050 in the Pennsylvania House as an elected official. And, you know, 263 00:17:18,050 --> 00:17:22,690 that's a full-time job. School board's, not a full-time job. Uh, and, 264 00:17:22,710 --> 00:17:24,610 and really as a board member, 265 00:17:24,890 --> 00:17:28,610 other than the satisfaction of a job well done, and, uh, 266 00:17:28,650 --> 00:17:32,450 maybe being able to hold the line on taxes if that's something you, 267 00:17:32,450 --> 00:17:36,450 you're looking to do, and to create a better educational environment, 268 00:17:36,450 --> 00:17:39,850 all of which are important, um, but other than, you know, 269 00:17:39,850 --> 00:17:44,090 the satisfaction of having accomplished those goals, you don't receive, 270 00:17:44,150 --> 00:17:49,040 you know, a, a paycheck per se. So my question is, you know, know, 271 00:17:49,180 --> 00:17:50,010 how do you, 272 00:17:50,010 --> 00:17:54,120 as someone who's running a small business and then also serving on school board, 273 00:17:54,860 --> 00:17:59,400 how accessible do you plan to be to the other 274 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:03,240 constituents of the school district if they have a problem, uh, you know, 275 00:18:03,550 --> 00:18:07,360 will you have an open door approach where they can call you on the telephone 276 00:18:07,360 --> 00:18:11,120 where they could shoot you an email? Um, basically what's, what, 277 00:18:11,120 --> 00:18:15,080 what do you think the accessibility of a school board member should be to the 278 00:18:15,320 --> 00:18:18,520 constituency? And and how do you plan to handle that? Should you be elected? 279 00:18:20,740 --> 00:18:25,590 Well, myself, I will always be available, um, by phone, by email, 280 00:18:26,110 --> 00:18:29,510 Facebook, um, on pretty much all over social media. My, 281 00:18:29,520 --> 00:18:32,710 my phone number's out there pretty much for anybody you find, um, 282 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:37,790 if you get on my Facebook page, it's pretty much everywhere, <laugh>. Um, now, 283 00:18:37,790 --> 00:18:40,710 I, I mean, I own my own business. I also work full-time, 284 00:18:40,780 --> 00:18:42,510 plus I do all my volunteer work, 285 00:18:42,510 --> 00:18:45,950 but I always make find to talk to people that want to talk. I mean, that's, 286 00:18:46,180 --> 00:18:48,590 that's a big reason what got me into the use of, 287 00:18:48,910 --> 00:18:51,710 is just trying to make a difference in talking to people, 288 00:18:51,710 --> 00:18:53,990 talking to their families and children, 289 00:18:53,990 --> 00:18:58,150 getting their points of view and helping where I can and trying to make a 290 00:18:58,150 --> 00:18:58,983 difference everywhere. 291 00:18:59,940 --> 00:19:03,390 Absolutely. And, and so that's probably something you've already, uh, 292 00:19:03,390 --> 00:19:07,110 dealt with as a coach and, and being involved in youth sports, is that, 293 00:19:07,290 --> 00:19:07,790 you know, 294 00:19:07,790 --> 00:19:11,950 sometimes in the evening hours you have families that have to call to discuss an 295 00:19:11,950 --> 00:19:15,430 issue. Uh, and so that's not a problem for you, you're saying? 296 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:17,590 No, no, absolutely not. 297 00:19:17,610 --> 00:19:21,430 And my family's very understanding with everything that I'm going, 298 00:19:21,640 --> 00:19:24,550 so they are a hundred percent behind everything we do. 299 00:19:25,060 --> 00:19:27,910 It's pretty much everything we do. Even with me running for school board, 300 00:19:27,910 --> 00:19:31,390 we do it as a family. So family needs a lot to me, 301 00:19:31,390 --> 00:19:35,110 and I consider pretty much all the children in my programs as part of our 302 00:19:35,270 --> 00:19:36,510 extended family. So. 303 00:19:36,980 --> 00:19:38,590 Well, you know, and, and if you can, 304 00:19:38,590 --> 00:19:42,470 let me go off on a little tangent for a second. Uh, you know, 305 00:19:42,700 --> 00:19:47,350 I always thought that having the entire family involved was extremely important. 306 00:19:47,450 --> 00:19:52,190 And I'm a firm believer that, uh, that, you know, 307 00:19:52,190 --> 00:19:56,670 we have to raise our children to be, uh, the leaders of, of tomorrow. 308 00:19:57,370 --> 00:20:01,470 And, uh, and I always saw with my sons, um, you know, 309 00:20:01,670 --> 00:20:04,510 their interaction with, uh, 310 00:20:04,510 --> 00:20:09,030 with my public office that I held, um, you know, I always saw that as a, 311 00:20:09,030 --> 00:20:13,990 as a way of teaching them, uh, how to give back to their communities. And, uh, 312 00:20:14,250 --> 00:20:16,750 and I think that's extremely important. So I, 313 00:20:16,750 --> 00:20:21,510 I commend you for kind of having that same outlook and that vision. Um, 314 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:26,630 my next question going along with accessibility, um, 315 00:20:27,010 --> 00:20:29,590 but this is kind of on the other end. 316 00:20:29,590 --> 00:20:33,190 We already asked you about if someone has an issue and they wanna reach out to 317 00:20:33,190 --> 00:20:36,230 you, how will you handle that? This is the other side. 318 00:20:36,450 --> 00:20:41,030 How best do you think a school board can communicate their message 319 00:20:41,120 --> 00:20:44,510 or things going on with the school board, um, 320 00:20:44,540 --> 00:20:46,310 with their constituency groups? 321 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:52,490 I think we just need to be transparent in all facets. I mean, if, 322 00:20:53,700 --> 00:20:56,410 if we can have the, well, we have, we have open meetings, 323 00:20:56,410 --> 00:21:01,010 but we need to get more people involved in those meetings. Um, I'm actually 324 00:21:02,560 --> 00:21:06,730 a big supporter of having a, a student representative on the board. 325 00:21:06,870 --> 00:21:08,850 Not necessarily, you know, not as a voting member, 326 00:21:08,850 --> 00:21:13,050 but as student representative who, who can speak for the students. Um, 327 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:16,770 I wouldn't mind seeing a parent representative on there. Um, 328 00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:21,330 that way the board can hear from those respective groups and help make a 329 00:21:21,330 --> 00:21:24,970 difference, um, based on the feedback they have received from those people. 330 00:21:25,510 --> 00:21:27,850 And also help streamline the communication, 331 00:21:27,850 --> 00:21:30,730 because sometimes all the board members are not as, 332 00:21:30,730 --> 00:21:33,050 as accessible as we'd like to be sometimes. 333 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:39,490 Sure. So, uh, you know, kind of a, as a follow up, and, and forgive me, 334 00:21:39,490 --> 00:21:43,610 because I don't live in the Connellsville area. Uh, you know, 335 00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:47,690 I have every streaming service known demand, uh, in our household, 336 00:21:48,010 --> 00:21:52,410 but we don't have cable anymore. Uh, I do listen to, uh, 337 00:21:52,540 --> 00:21:56,890 to the local talk radio station like Wmb s and, uh, 338 00:21:56,920 --> 00:21:59,850 K d K out of Pittsburgh, but, uh, 339 00:22:00,430 --> 00:22:02,610 the Connellsville school district right now, 340 00:22:02,670 --> 00:22:07,130 are there meetings live streamed or broadcast or available, 341 00:22:07,860 --> 00:22:11,010 uh, via local television? Um, 342 00:22:11,830 --> 00:22:15,370 are they accessible to the constituents? And, uh, 343 00:22:15,370 --> 00:22:19,090 do you think that that's an area where there can be improvement to make, 344 00:22:19,110 --> 00:22:19,650 you know, 345 00:22:19,650 --> 00:22:24,050 improved transparency and make these meetings more available to parents? 346 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:28,390 Uh, they can definitely be improved. Um, right now they, they, 347 00:22:28,390 --> 00:22:32,070 they are live screened on, uh, YouTube through, um, 348 00:22:32,100 --> 00:22:35,670 I think it's CST Falcons Productions, um, okay. 349 00:22:35,670 --> 00:22:39,030 Don't quote me on that exact name, but, um, but we, 350 00:22:39,030 --> 00:22:42,870 they are live streamed on YouTube. Uh, sometimes the sound is, uh, 351 00:22:42,870 --> 00:22:45,230 at least literal to be desired, um, 352 00:22:45,230 --> 00:22:48,190 makes it very difficult for anybody listening to their live stream to, 353 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:53,350 to understand what is being said or the back and forth sometimes between the 354 00:22:53,350 --> 00:22:56,590 board members. Um, there's definitely room for improvement. 355 00:22:56,590 --> 00:23:01,590 I'd like to see that be improved as right now with me being in the midst 356 00:23:01,590 --> 00:23:05,550 of the, our basketball league, we just ended, I didn't make too many of the, 357 00:23:05,650 --> 00:23:09,830 the recent meetings. Um, so I did have to follow up with the, 358 00:23:10,850 --> 00:23:14,430 the, um, live streams to see what all went on. 359 00:23:16,100 --> 00:23:20,710 Sure. So I, you know, I want to transition into your vision for, 360 00:23:21,480 --> 00:23:25,830 uh, education. And, and I've asked this question before, uh, 361 00:23:25,830 --> 00:23:28,030 to people that I've interviewed on the show. You know, 362 00:23:28,030 --> 00:23:32,590 if you went to bed tonight and you got up tomorrow morning and 363 00:23:32,850 --> 00:23:37,270 all of the problems in Connellsville school district had disappeared, 364 00:23:38,050 --> 00:23:42,670 and, uh, you know, everything was perfect, what would that look like? And, 365 00:23:42,670 --> 00:23:47,080 and I would refer to that as your vision for education in the 366 00:23:47,110 --> 00:23:50,960 Cville School district. What would a perfect world, uh, look like? 367 00:23:53,040 --> 00:23:56,750 Uh, a perfect world would be a hundred percent graduation rate with these kids 368 00:23:56,750 --> 00:24:00,790 coming out of high school with the skills and knowledge needed to, 369 00:24:00,960 --> 00:24:05,510 to go straight into a productive life after high school. Um, 370 00:24:06,180 --> 00:24:09,590 mean, like I said, many of the kids are coming out right now not being prepared. 371 00:24:09,590 --> 00:24:14,070 So I'd like to see every kid come out of high school knowing what they want to 372 00:24:14,070 --> 00:24:17,710 do, not necessarily what they wanna do, but be able to do what they want to do. 373 00:24:18,560 --> 00:24:22,870 Um, be it going to college, joining a workforce, you know, 374 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:27,310 looking at, at athletics as a possibility. Um, 375 00:24:28,540 --> 00:24:30,750 that, and having every family, 376 00:24:33,970 --> 00:24:38,740 I dunno, feeling fulfilled that, uh, they go over me met. I mean, 377 00:24:38,740 --> 00:24:42,460 that's my biggest thing is my, my, 378 00:24:42,470 --> 00:24:46,780 my life's dream is to see my, my children fulfill their dreams. 379 00:24:47,470 --> 00:24:49,740 So that's what I work towards right now. 380 00:24:50,630 --> 00:24:55,340 So you started kind of going down the, the path of preparing 381 00:24:58,970 --> 00:25:03,390 for a career after graduation. And, you know, I, 382 00:25:03,390 --> 00:25:08,190 I know some people may not know, uh, right at, at graduation of the 12th grade, 383 00:25:08,190 --> 00:25:12,830 what they want to do for the rest of their lives. I know in, in my life, uh, 384 00:25:12,830 --> 00:25:17,190 you know, what my life goals and plans were have changed, uh, 385 00:25:17,190 --> 00:25:21,430 throughout the years. But that being said, um, you know, I, 386 00:25:21,430 --> 00:25:24,190 I am a huge fan and, uh, and, you know, 387 00:25:24,190 --> 00:25:27,910 anyone who listens to the show would know this of career and technical 388 00:25:27,910 --> 00:25:31,870 education. Uh, so I wanted to kind of get your thoughts on, 389 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:36,670 on that. I've, uh, I've had the opportunity while I'm not from ville of eating, 390 00:25:37,480 --> 00:25:42,110 um, at the career and technical, uh, center that you have there, uh, 391 00:25:42,110 --> 00:25:44,990 right next to the high school, uh, and, you know, 392 00:25:44,990 --> 00:25:49,110 enjoyed a good meal several times from the culinary students there. Um, 393 00:25:49,110 --> 00:25:50,790 so I wanna talk about, you know, 394 00:25:50,790 --> 00:25:54,230 are kids that may not be interested in college and, 395 00:25:54,230 --> 00:25:58,790 and they wanna be prepped to go into the workforce right after graduation. Uh, 396 00:25:58,790 --> 00:26:01,270 what are your thoughts on that career in technical training? 397 00:26:02,660 --> 00:26:03,010 Uh, 398 00:26:03,010 --> 00:26:06,010 I'm actually a graduate of that school back when it was known as North Payette 399 00:26:06,010 --> 00:26:10,850 area Vo Tech. Um, no, I'm a big proponent of bot tech, um, 400 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:14,410 career and technical training, uh, whatever they wanna call it nowadays. 401 00:26:14,610 --> 00:26:17,610 It'll always be botec to me. I apologize. Uh. 402 00:26:18,060 --> 00:26:22,690 Me, me too. You know, I, I, I make that slip up all the time, so I was, uh, 403 00:26:22,690 --> 00:26:27,050 careful this time to say career and technical, uh, center. But, uh, I, 404 00:26:27,050 --> 00:26:28,170 I'm sorry to cut you off. 405 00:26:28,170 --> 00:26:32,570 I have the same problem where I still refer to it as vo-tech. Um, and, 406 00:26:32,570 --> 00:26:35,170 and I think a positive of not referring to it as, uh, 407 00:26:35,180 --> 00:26:39,250 as vo-tech is that maybe we can take some of that stigma away. You know, 408 00:26:39,940 --> 00:26:42,690 uh, people used to, uh, you know, 409 00:26:42,910 --> 00:26:47,160 unkindly refer to some of those students as, as techers in my day. 410 00:26:47,650 --> 00:26:50,720 Uh, so we wanna kind of destigmatize and, 411 00:26:50,780 --> 00:26:54,200 and create a culture where that's more acceptable. But I cut you off. 412 00:26:54,200 --> 00:26:55,160 So go ahead and, and, 413 00:26:55,160 --> 00:26:57,840 and talk a little bit more about that career and technical center, 414 00:26:57,840 --> 00:26:59,520 or that vo-tech, as you and I know it. 415 00:27:00,450 --> 00:27:04,400 No, no, you're correct about the stigma that was always been attached to it. Um, 416 00:27:04,990 --> 00:27:06,280 I was, for the most part, 417 00:27:06,280 --> 00:27:10,000 my classes were always high level and I went to vo tech, you know, part-time. 418 00:27:10,730 --> 00:27:13,960 Um, but yeah, the, our vo tech is a great school. 419 00:27:13,960 --> 00:27:17,360 They have a lot of great programs that come out of there. Um, 420 00:27:17,360 --> 00:27:19,960 we need to actually, you know, push it a little bit harder, 421 00:27:20,180 --> 00:27:24,680 let make kids more aware that it's faired as an option. That's a great option. 422 00:27:25,090 --> 00:27:25,440 Um, 423 00:27:25,440 --> 00:27:29,240 for those that may not be ready to go into college or that may want to join the 424 00:27:29,240 --> 00:27:33,200 workforce right out of high school is, um, 425 00:27:34,300 --> 00:27:37,350 I know they've added a lot of, lot of courses since I've been there, 426 00:27:37,350 --> 00:27:41,670 and they've taken away a few. Um, I went for carpentry, great class, 427 00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:44,950 uh, great t-shirt. And, um, 428 00:27:45,290 --> 00:27:50,190 and the only thing I'd like to see is for there to be a possibility for, uh, 429 00:27:50,370 --> 00:27:54,590 the kids inside the school to somehow take advantage of the vertech, 430 00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:58,430 uh, Korean Technical Institute School <laugh>. 431 00:27:58,920 --> 00:28:01,310 Correct. So, so nowadays, and, 432 00:28:01,310 --> 00:28:05,710 and this is a question I don't know the answer to, um, nowadays, if, 433 00:28:05,710 --> 00:28:07,470 if your kid is cyber chartered, 434 00:28:07,470 --> 00:28:11,710 are they able to attend for part of the day that, uh, 435 00:28:11,710 --> 00:28:15,230 that career and technical school, or is that not an option? 436 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:20,190 As far as I'm aware from what I've asked in the past, is, 437 00:28:20,190 --> 00:28:24,430 is it is not an option at this time. Um, I'd like to see that get changed. 438 00:28:24,490 --> 00:28:29,030 I'd be willing to work with anybody that that would be willing to see and help 439 00:28:29,030 --> 00:28:30,910 make that change. Um, 440 00:28:31,020 --> 00:28:35,630 I think it's a wasted opportunity for a lot of the kids who are in cyber school 441 00:28:35,630 --> 00:28:39,070 for, uh, whatever the reason they are. Um, 442 00:28:39,250 --> 00:28:42,190 but it's definitely something we need to look into, 443 00:28:42,610 --> 00:28:44,990 and I'd be willing to work with anybody that would, 444 00:28:45,470 --> 00:28:47,790 would be willing to listen and help make that change. 445 00:28:49,020 --> 00:28:50,910 A absolutely. And, and you know, 446 00:28:50,910 --> 00:28:54,230 part of the reason why I asked that follow up question was, uh, 447 00:28:54,380 --> 00:28:56,710 just this weekend, um, 448 00:28:56,710 --> 00:29:01,230 I had an event and we had students from the Fayette County Career and Technical 449 00:29:01,230 --> 00:29:05,830 Center, which the lower half of Fayette County School districts, uh, use. 450 00:29:06,370 --> 00:29:10,990 And I was really impressed by some of those students, and so was my wife. And, 451 00:29:10,990 --> 00:29:14,310 uh, and we're debating on the future of, 452 00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:18,630 of our kids if they'll go back to a brick and mortar. Uh, one may, 453 00:29:18,630 --> 00:29:23,230 one may not. Um, but my wife's question to me was, well, you know, 454 00:29:23,230 --> 00:29:26,590 if our kids wanted to go to, and again, 455 00:29:26,590 --> 00:29:29,070 I'm gonna use the term tech because that's, you know, 456 00:29:29,070 --> 00:29:33,630 that's what we knew it as my wife said, if, if our kids want to go to tech, um, 457 00:29:33,700 --> 00:29:36,470 will they be able to stay in, 458 00:29:36,470 --> 00:29:40,550 in cyber charter or will they have to go to a brick and mortar? So, like I said, 459 00:29:40,550 --> 00:29:43,360 I, I didn't know the answer to that. Um, 460 00:29:43,780 --> 00:29:48,640 and as impartial as, as I'd like to say that I am on this show, uh, 461 00:29:48,640 --> 00:29:53,600 my true feelings are transparent and, and do come out, I, I love that, 462 00:29:53,600 --> 00:29:57,800 uh, career and technical training that's available. Um, you know, 463 00:29:57,800 --> 00:30:02,400 so I think that would be a, a great thing for you to do. Um, you know, 464 00:30:02,400 --> 00:30:03,760 should you be elected is, 465 00:30:03,760 --> 00:30:07,840 is make sure that those kids that are in the career and technical, uh, 466 00:30:07,840 --> 00:30:12,080 programs can continue on their cyber charter path. Um, 467 00:30:12,080 --> 00:30:15,880 and basically that every kid has the same opportunity. 468 00:30:15,880 --> 00:30:19,640 And I'm a firm believer that, you know, you know, 469 00:30:19,960 --> 00:30:24,760 your zip code or your neighborhood that you live in shouldn't determine, uh, 470 00:30:24,760 --> 00:30:27,320 the quality of school that you get. Uh, 471 00:30:27,320 --> 00:30:31,560 every Pennsylvanian from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh should, 472 00:30:32,210 --> 00:30:36,560 uh, have the same opportunities for their kids and their students, 473 00:30:36,560 --> 00:30:41,480 regardless of, uh, of where they live. And, and I'm a firm believer that, 474 00:30:41,480 --> 00:30:44,680 so I, I think that's a, uh, you know, a great, uh, 475 00:30:44,680 --> 00:30:47,120 if we'll call it a campaign promise that, uh, 476 00:30:47,120 --> 00:30:51,000 that you wanna try to work that out, um, between the, 477 00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:55,640 the CTI and cyber charter, uh, education. Um, 478 00:30:55,860 --> 00:31:00,680 you know, one of the other questions that, uh, that I cut kind of on, 479 00:31:01,010 --> 00:31:05,160 uh, on my list was specifics, uh, 480 00:31:05,570 --> 00:31:10,200 of suggest the suggestions that you have for ways that the 481 00:31:10,200 --> 00:31:13,920 school board can improve education. You know, 482 00:31:14,210 --> 00:31:18,720 if you're looking at things and, and when you're elected as, 483 00:31:19,050 --> 00:31:22,120 uh, as president of the United States, 484 00:31:22,120 --> 00:31:25,760 they always talk about what happens in the first a hundred days. Um, 485 00:31:25,760 --> 00:31:29,080 I think that's true all the way down to school board members. 486 00:31:29,430 --> 00:31:34,320 Your most effective time is probably right after the election. Um, 487 00:31:34,950 --> 00:31:39,760 what problems do you see that you think could be addressed immediately 488 00:31:39,780 --> 00:31:42,520 and improved in the school district pretty easily? 489 00:31:44,220 --> 00:31:45,810 Uh, mainly just to, 490 00:31:46,540 --> 00:31:51,370 to reinforce the focus on the basics at the elementary level. Um, 491 00:31:52,600 --> 00:31:56,290 I know as the child grows, their reading literacy, 492 00:31:56,620 --> 00:31:59,530 if it stays well below grade level, 493 00:31:59,840 --> 00:32:04,570 they have a higher possibility of, um, never going, moving on to graduate. 494 00:32:05,220 --> 00:32:10,010 So we must really focus on the elementary schools to really start building from 495 00:32:10,010 --> 00:32:14,210 the ground up and start working it without forgetting about those in the, 496 00:32:14,420 --> 00:32:19,330 in the higher grades. But we must focus on the elementary schools, um, 497 00:32:19,330 --> 00:32:22,010 getting a good student and teacher ratio, 498 00:32:22,010 --> 00:32:24,490 getting well qualified teachers in there, 499 00:32:25,270 --> 00:32:28,650 and really focused on doing those kids up from that point on. 500 00:32:29,560 --> 00:32:34,090 I think that'd be the biggest step to really improving the school district 501 00:32:34,090 --> 00:32:34,923 overall. 502 00:32:35,590 --> 00:32:39,520 You know, in, in those formatives years, as you said, uh, 503 00:32:39,520 --> 00:32:44,280 become extremely important because we build our entire education on 504 00:32:44,280 --> 00:32:48,950 what you learn at that elementary school level. Um, you know, 505 00:32:48,950 --> 00:32:53,030 so I would really agree with you that that reassuring, um, 506 00:32:53,830 --> 00:32:58,510 those key elements, those key subject matter, uh, 507 00:32:58,510 --> 00:33:01,350 would be important. So, you know, 508 00:33:01,900 --> 00:33:06,750 I want to kind of take the conversation in a, in a different direction. And, 509 00:33:07,280 --> 00:33:10,950 um, I think I might have mentioned this in a previous question a little bit, 510 00:33:10,950 --> 00:33:15,150 but, you know, how do you balance as a school board director, 511 00:33:15,760 --> 00:33:16,450 um, 512 00:33:16,450 --> 00:33:20,990 the needs of education with the burden of 513 00:33:21,590 --> 00:33:24,630 taxpayers that may be on a fixed income, um, 514 00:33:24,810 --> 00:33:29,590 and not wanting to necessarily put them at a further disadvantage and 515 00:33:29,590 --> 00:33:32,590 raise taxes, you know, how do you balance that? 516 00:33:32,880 --> 00:33:36,990 Because educating students is, is not cheap, 517 00:33:36,990 --> 00:33:39,990 it's not free. Um, you know, 518 00:33:39,990 --> 00:33:44,670 making sure that extracurricular activities like sports and band, 519 00:33:45,520 --> 00:33:49,670 um, are available to students, that's not something that's cheap or free. 520 00:33:50,200 --> 00:33:54,910 So how do you intend to balance, you know, the side of, 521 00:33:55,240 --> 00:33:56,670 of the student experience? 522 00:33:56,670 --> 00:34:01,070 I guess with the burden that is on our taxpayers? 523 00:34:03,190 --> 00:34:07,020 Uh, taxes are necessary evil of education right now. 524 00:34:07,910 --> 00:34:11,460 Um, the first thing is to work with state, 525 00:34:11,620 --> 00:34:16,100 state and federal lawmakers on trying to find other ways to, um, 526 00:34:16,100 --> 00:34:19,900 fund the schools other than taxation. Um, especially at the property, 527 00:34:20,580 --> 00:34:25,020 property taxes, um, as you stated earlier in the conversation, 528 00:34:25,730 --> 00:34:28,940 I mean, our counties here are very, uh, 529 00:34:29,170 --> 00:34:33,660 high on the medium age range. Um, we have many, uh, 530 00:34:33,930 --> 00:34:38,020 homeowners and elderly citizens. Um, 531 00:34:39,030 --> 00:34:39,700 there's, 532 00:34:39,700 --> 00:34:44,300 there's a couple ways I'd be willing to work with state and federal lawmakers to 533 00:34:44,300 --> 00:34:48,740 see what we can do. I, I know that some, some thoughts have been, uh, 534 00:34:48,740 --> 00:34:51,220 increasing sales tax, um, 535 00:34:51,220 --> 00:34:55,860 which I'm all for anything that can keep us from raising property 536 00:34:55,860 --> 00:35:00,060 taxes and lessening the burden on her is, is always a positive. 537 00:35:00,630 --> 00:35:01,740 Um, we also, 538 00:35:01,740 --> 00:35:06,700 we need to see if there's any funds at the state level that can be diverted into 539 00:35:07,260 --> 00:35:11,380 education. And if we're able to shrink anything at the state level. 540 00:35:13,330 --> 00:35:17,990 And, and you kind of took my next question away would, uh, which was, uh, 541 00:35:17,990 --> 00:35:22,950 what changes should be made at the state, uh, state level or federal level? 542 00:35:23,490 --> 00:35:27,350 And, you know, finding other sources of revenue for school districts is, 543 00:35:27,800 --> 00:35:32,390 is something that I know is important to constituents. Um, 544 00:35:32,390 --> 00:35:36,390 for the six years that I was in the general assembly, I had, uh, 545 00:35:36,390 --> 00:35:40,450 on a regular basis telephone town hall meetings. I, I actually, 546 00:35:41,060 --> 00:35:44,850 uh, at first was, you know, a little nervous about, uh, 547 00:35:44,850 --> 00:35:48,850 having these telephone town halls and letting people ask whatever questions they 548 00:35:48,850 --> 00:35:53,770 wanted. Uh, and by the first or second one that I had, I was, uh, 549 00:35:53,770 --> 00:35:57,210 like, oh, these are pretty easy. Um, 550 00:35:57,210 --> 00:36:00,050 because you're just having a conversation with people. And, 551 00:36:00,050 --> 00:36:01,930 and you may have to agree to disagree, 552 00:36:01,930 --> 00:36:06,770 but my point is on every one of those telephone town halls that I ever had, 553 00:36:07,510 --> 00:36:12,210 one of the questions that I got from the constituents was always 554 00:36:12,210 --> 00:36:13,490 about, uh, 555 00:36:13,850 --> 00:36:17,410 property taxes and how we could eliminate or, 556 00:36:17,410 --> 00:36:21,690 or reduce the burden on property taxes. Um, you know, 557 00:36:21,690 --> 00:36:25,090 we could have major things going on in the commonwealth, like a pandemic, 558 00:36:25,470 --> 00:36:27,490 and I could be doing a, a town hall, 559 00:36:27,550 --> 00:36:32,330 and the concern was still about property taxes. So, uh, you know, 560 00:36:32,330 --> 00:36:36,330 I thank you for, for giving me your thoughts and addressing that issue. 561 00:36:36,330 --> 00:36:39,570 Cause I know it's an issue that, uh, our, 562 00:36:39,600 --> 00:36:44,250 a lot of our constituents have now, since we're talking about, 563 00:36:45,100 --> 00:36:49,450 um, about finances of a school district. I guess, you know, 564 00:36:49,450 --> 00:36:53,770 one of my final questions, uh, here before we get one more break in, 565 00:36:54,180 --> 00:36:55,690 uh, would be, you know, 566 00:36:55,690 --> 00:37:00,490 how do you determine the priorities of the school 567 00:37:00,730 --> 00:37:04,130 district's budget when you're going through that process and, 568 00:37:04,130 --> 00:37:05,090 and making that budget? 569 00:37:05,090 --> 00:37:09,650 And you may receive a proposed bud budget from the administration, uh, 570 00:37:10,030 --> 00:37:11,970 and then you're gonna have to vote on that, but, 571 00:37:11,970 --> 00:37:16,850 but how would you choose what is a priority in the school 572 00:37:17,090 --> 00:37:18,930 district budget on an annual basis? 573 00:37:21,910 --> 00:37:24,180 Uh, one of the biggest things to look at, 574 00:37:24,180 --> 00:37:28,980 first us would be what would improve the student's life, um, education wise, 575 00:37:29,430 --> 00:37:33,230 um, extracurricular wise, um, 576 00:37:33,230 --> 00:37:37,910 especially with the, the other, um, epidemic we're dealing with in this area. 577 00:37:38,080 --> 00:37:42,210 Um, with the drugs, um, it's active. 578 00:37:43,260 --> 00:37:48,090 So extracurricular programs are definitely a necessity to keep 579 00:37:48,090 --> 00:37:52,870 the kids, um, from having idle hands, per se. 580 00:37:53,990 --> 00:37:57,100 Um, but I would look at, the first thing I would look at is what would make, 581 00:37:57,490 --> 00:38:01,860 make things better for the student? What would help educate the children more? 582 00:38:02,630 --> 00:38:06,620 Um, and then we'd have to look at where, where the money's going in terms of, 583 00:38:07,310 --> 00:38:09,780 uh, staffing. Know, we, we, 584 00:38:09,780 --> 00:38:13,580 we steering it in the right direction of the proper staffing. 585 00:38:14,980 --> 00:38:19,310 Sure. So, uh, we are gonna get our final break in here in just a moment. 586 00:38:19,310 --> 00:38:23,110 Before we go to, uh, recognize our sponsors for the program, 587 00:38:23,740 --> 00:38:26,830 I wanted to quickly make another public invitation. 588 00:38:26,830 --> 00:38:30,190 I've done this in the last several episodes. Uh, 589 00:38:30,190 --> 00:38:33,350 if you're running for public office and you'd like to be a guest on 590 00:38:33,350 --> 00:38:37,920 commonalities, we're more than happy to have you. You can find me, uh, 591 00:38:37,920 --> 00:38:41,520 via social media, pretty much any of the social media, uh, 592 00:38:41,880 --> 00:38:46,600 platforms that you're on, Facebook, Instagram, et cetera. Uh, please send me a, 593 00:38:46,630 --> 00:38:49,880 a message, excuse me. Uh, 594 00:38:49,880 --> 00:38:51,840 visit Matthew d Dowling, 595 00:38:51,840 --> 00:38:55,880 that's Matthew D as in david dowling.com. Uh, 596 00:38:55,880 --> 00:38:58,720 you can find my contact information there, uh, 597 00:38:58,720 --> 00:39:03,480 but we wanna have as many candidates on the program as we can. And, uh, 598 00:39:03,480 --> 00:39:07,160 you know, there's no cost. Um, and again, 599 00:39:07,260 --> 00:39:11,720 you can be a Democrat, you can be a Republican party, doesn't matter. Um, 600 00:39:11,720 --> 00:39:14,520 you know, I normally research, uh, 601 00:39:14,620 --> 00:39:18,680 the top concerns that constituents have, and then, uh, 602 00:39:18,680 --> 00:39:23,600 try to lead the conversation that way so that you have your chance to, uh, 603 00:39:23,600 --> 00:39:27,080 address your thoughts and feelings on the program. So again, 604 00:39:27,270 --> 00:39:31,120 open invitation to anyone running for office. Uh, some, you know, 605 00:39:31,120 --> 00:39:35,760 will give priority to those who, uh, whose future of, 606 00:39:35,760 --> 00:39:39,520 of being in the race, uh, will be determined through the primary. 607 00:39:39,570 --> 00:39:43,600 So we'll try to get those people on, uh, first. And then, uh, 608 00:39:43,850 --> 00:39:48,520 we will be doing this all the way up to the general election in November. Uh, 609 00:39:48,520 --> 00:39:53,160 while we'll have some episodes that don't meet, uh, the cl the, uh, 610 00:39:53,760 --> 00:39:57,280 candidate kind of forum, um, 611 00:39:57,760 --> 00:40:01,840 situation that we, we have on some of our programs, um, you know, 612 00:40:01,840 --> 00:40:05,600 we will try to get as many of those people that want to come on to talk about 613 00:40:05,600 --> 00:40:08,600 their elections as possible. We're gonna go to a quick break, 614 00:40:08,600 --> 00:40:12,520 and when we come back, we'll have final thoughts and, uh, we'll, uh, Mr. 615 00:40:12,520 --> 00:40:17,480 Moore the chance to give his contact information out and let you know how to 616 00:40:17,480 --> 00:40:20,680 get involved with his campaign or to ask him additional questions. 617 00:40:20,680 --> 00:40:22,440 Stay with us here on commonalities. 618 00:40:25,350 --> 00:40:30,000 You're listening to commonalities where guests find common ground through 619 00:40:30,320 --> 00:40:31,480 uncommon conversations. 620 00:40:32,000 --> 00:40:35,680 We'll be back after this brief break to recognize our monsters. 621 00:40:38,700 --> 00:40:41,560 I'm Melinda De LaRose. As an Assistant District Attorney, 622 00:40:41,590 --> 00:40:45,600 I've protected Fayette County families and fought to uphold our constitutional 623 00:40:45,600 --> 00:40:48,440 rights. As a prosecutor and trusted local attorney, 624 00:40:48,440 --> 00:40:52,360 I've provided victims of crime with a strong voice and put criminals behind 625 00:40:52,360 --> 00:40:55,640 bars. My pledge to you as judge is to follow the law, 626 00:40:55,640 --> 00:40:58,160 always maintain the highest ethical standards, 627 00:40:58,160 --> 00:41:02,520 and to run a courtroom that's respectful of your time and tax dollars. 628 00:41:02,820 --> 00:41:06,360 I'm Melinda de LaRose asking for your vote for Judge paid. 629 00:41:06,360 --> 00:41:08,000 For by Friends of Melinda de LaRose. 630 00:41:08,490 --> 00:41:12,600 Is your business using analog strategies in a digital marketing world? 631 00:41:12,970 --> 00:41:13,640 If so, 632 00:41:13,640 --> 00:41:18,520 then contact Matthew or Rebecca Dowling at Coordinated 360 for a 633 00:41:18,520 --> 00:41:22,520 professional consultation where we bring in-depth knowledge and functional 634 00:41:22,520 --> 00:41:24,440 expertise with a holistic perspective. 635 00:41:25,280 --> 00:41:29,960 Coordinated 360 provides digital marketing, paid ad and media buying services, 636 00:41:29,980 --> 00:41:34,920 web design, social media management, video production, and more for businesses, 637 00:41:34,980 --> 00:41:39,480 organizations, and political campaigns with decades of experience. 638 00:41:39,480 --> 00:41:44,160 Matt and Becky at Coordinated 360 can help you craft your unique message 639 00:41:44,380 --> 00:41:49,240 and share it with the world. For a no risk media evaluation and recommendations, 640 00:41:49,430 --> 00:41:53,680 call 7 2 4 3 2 0 22 12, 641 00:41:53,970 --> 00:41:55,960 or visit us online at 642 00:41:56,580 --> 00:42:01,480 www.coordinatedthreesixty.com. Find us also on Facebook, 643 00:42:01,480 --> 00:42:02,840 Instagram, and Twitter, 644 00:42:03,170 --> 00:42:06,720 or email info coordinated three sixty.com. 645 00:42:08,590 --> 00:42:10,480 When it comes to buying a home, 646 00:42:10,830 --> 00:42:14,160 what you see isn't exactly what you get. 647 00:42:14,550 --> 00:42:18,920 That's why home buyers should call Dave Dowling at Grandview 648 00:42:18,920 --> 00:42:23,880 Inspections at 7 2 4 2 0 8 4 1 0 8. 649 00:42:24,230 --> 00:42:29,120 You'll see colorful flowers, freshly painted walls, granite countertops, 650 00:42:29,310 --> 00:42:31,760 gleaming hardwood floors, and other touches. 651 00:42:32,110 --> 00:42:36,280 What you can't see is the cracks, ancient plumbing, 652 00:42:36,560 --> 00:42:37,800 dangerous wiring, 653 00:42:38,170 --> 00:42:43,040 or broken appliances that might be revealed when you hire a 654 00:42:43,040 --> 00:42:46,680 home inspector. And when it comes to home inspectors, 655 00:42:46,810 --> 00:42:50,880 knowing yours has the qualifications and experience needed, 656 00:42:50,910 --> 00:42:53,320 should be your number one concern. 657 00:42:53,750 --> 00:42:58,480 Dave Dowling with Grand View Inspections is an architectural engineer 658 00:42:58,550 --> 00:43:03,520 with over 30 years of commercial construction experience and hundreds of 659 00:43:03,520 --> 00:43:05,040 inspections under his belt. 660 00:43:05,910 --> 00:43:10,840 A home inspection is an opportunity for you to hire an expert to walk through 661 00:43:10,840 --> 00:43:15,760 the home and prepare a report outlining the home's major components. 662 00:43:15,990 --> 00:43:20,840 What needs immediate attention and what will require maintenance after you 663 00:43:20,840 --> 00:43:24,360 move in Your home is one of your biggest investments. 664 00:43:24,570 --> 00:43:28,520 So make sure your investment is everything you hoped it to be. 665 00:43:28,790 --> 00:43:32,200 Call Dave Dowling at Grandview Inspections at 666 00:43:32,200 --> 00:43:36,240 7 2 4 2 0 8 4 1 0 8. 667 00:43:43,450 --> 00:43:44,710 Are you enjoying the program? 668 00:43:44,710 --> 00:43:48,910 You're listening to support commonalities and help keep us on the air by making 669 00:43:48,910 --> 00:43:51,710 a donation of five, 10, or $25, 670 00:43:51,960 --> 00:43:56,910 or any amount you feel comfortable sharing online@donate.commonalities.online. 671 00:43:56,990 --> 00:44:01,830 Again, that is donate.commonalities.online on the worldwide web. 672 00:44:02,050 --> 00:44:06,630 Buy our host a cup of coffee or help pay for airtime at donate dot commonalities 673 00:44:06,630 --> 00:44:07,463 online. 674 00:44:10,730 --> 00:44:14,620 Thanks for sticking with us through the break. I'm your host, Matt Dowling. Uh, 675 00:44:14,620 --> 00:44:16,420 my guest today is James Moore. 676 00:44:16,420 --> 00:44:20,460 He's a candidate for the Connellsville Area School Board. And, uh, 677 00:44:20,460 --> 00:44:24,340 we have just about two to three minutes left. Mr. Moore, 678 00:44:24,340 --> 00:44:29,220 I want to turn it over to you, uh, to talk about, uh, you know, 679 00:44:29,220 --> 00:44:30,740 any final thoughts you may have, 680 00:44:30,790 --> 00:44:34,800 as well as to let people know how to get involved with your campaign. Uh, 681 00:44:34,800 --> 00:44:38,680 you know, do you have yard signs you're gonna be putting out? Uh, also, 682 00:44:38,680 --> 00:44:39,040 you know, 683 00:44:39,040 --> 00:44:42,360 how can people get ahold of you to ask additional questions if we didn't cover 684 00:44:42,360 --> 00:44:43,640 something in today's show? 685 00:44:45,250 --> 00:44:48,790 Yes. Uh, first, like to say thank you for having me. Um, 686 00:44:49,740 --> 00:44:52,190 I just hope that anybody that goes out to vote, 687 00:44:52,300 --> 00:44:57,260 vote for the vote for the candidate you think would do the most for you 688 00:44:57,260 --> 00:44:58,820 and your family. Um, 689 00:44:58,820 --> 00:45:02,620 whether that be me or one of the other candidates that are running, um, 690 00:45:02,670 --> 00:45:05,860 anybody would like to reach out to me can do so. Uh, 691 00:45:05,860 --> 00:45:10,700 my phone number is (724) 603-5734. Uh, 692 00:45:10,700 --> 00:45:15,580 you can reach me on Facebook. Uh, just look at my name, James Moore. Um, 693 00:45:15,580 --> 00:45:19,540 you can also reach me by email at james dot a dot moore num, 694 00:45:19,540 --> 00:45:23,030 the number nine gmail.com. Um, 695 00:45:23,050 --> 00:45:27,990 I'm always have an open either if anybody has any questions or concerns, please, 696 00:45:27,990 --> 00:45:29,910 please reach out to me. Um, 697 00:45:30,560 --> 00:45:34,290 even in if the election doesn't go my way, 698 00:45:34,290 --> 00:45:39,010 I'm more than happy to listen and see what we can do about making changes in our 699 00:45:39,210 --> 00:45:40,043 district. 700 00:45:42,110 --> 00:45:44,840 Well, Mr. Moore, I wanna thank you for, uh, 701 00:45:44,840 --> 00:45:47,560 for being on commonalities today. 702 00:45:47,560 --> 00:45:50,800 As part of our candidate interviews that we're doing, uh, 703 00:45:50,800 --> 00:45:52,640 I would encourage people, uh, to, 704 00:45:52,640 --> 00:45:57,600 to give James a call or to visit his social media and ask any 705 00:45:57,840 --> 00:46:01,360 questions you may have for him. Uh, one final time, 706 00:46:01,360 --> 00:46:03,840 I'll plug the facts that on our program, 707 00:46:03,840 --> 00:46:07,480 we're willing to have anyone who's running for public office regardless of 708 00:46:07,480 --> 00:46:11,680 party, so you can share your thoughts, opinions with the listeners. Commonality. 709 00:46:11,680 --> 00:46:13,120 This has been Commonality, 710 00:46:13,750 --> 00:46:18,160 a show where guests find common ground through uncommon conversations. 711 00:46:18,200 --> 00:46:21,000 Copyright 2022, coordinated 360, 712 00:46:21,220 --> 00:46:24,760 all public rebroadcast should be done with prior written approval from Matthew 713 00:46:24,760 --> 00:46:29,560 Dowling. All requests should be sent to info@coordinatedthreesixty.com. 714 00:46:29,560 --> 00:46:31,880 Thank you for listening to commonalities.
28Mar, 2023
