Scott Aquila

Return to Candidates

• Age: 39
• Residence: Lower Macungie Township (7 years)
• Do you have children in the district?: Yes
• Politics: I am a register Republican
• Experience: College Administrator (3 years)

1. What motivates you to want to become a board member?

I am interested in serving the citizens of the East Penn School District because I feel I present a well rounded and balanced set of skills and abilities based on my education, work experience and life experience.  All three experiences have allowed me to foster strong communication, problem solving and decision making abilities.  I decided to run for East Penn School Board because I am aware of the challenges that the school board, the institutions themselves, as well as, us the tax payers are going to face in the coming years and I believe I can help in navigating these challenges to ensure a quality and affordable education that my children, our children deserve. 

2. What do you see as the board’s roles and responsibilities?

I believe the board’s role is one of acting with integrity and leadership. Integrity is the consistent implementation and use of problem-solving and decision making techniques on large issues and small.  Leadership is by being proactive and making decisions to lead the school district through its many upcoming challenges.

I believe the board’s responsibilities are to the students, parents and tax payers of the school district. The responsibility is to keep open and transparent communication, to control spending and borrowing, and to offer direction to the school administration and community.

3. What is your vision for education in this community?

My vision is one where students are engaged, challenged, complete and succeed at the local level, state level, national and international levels.  The international level being a focal point because these international bodies are who our children are going to be competing against in higher education and for employment opportunities in the future.

4. What do you see as the primary work of the board?

Decline to answer.

5. What are the current challenges facing education/school boards? 

Doing a lot more with a lot less. The biggest challenge, in my opinion, is keeping our students, programs and educational environment competitive in the current world climate.

6. Would you support a tax increase?

I would not be in favor of a tax increase to the tax payers of the East Penn School District.  I would support other efforts and decisions, even what I would consider unpopular decisions, prior to asking the tax payer to open their check books and contribute more money.

7. Can you think of any district expenses that should be cut?

I have reviewed the proposed budget and there are line items where reductions could be implemented to aid in closing the gap.

8. Do you support merit pay for teachers?

In the economic climate and current financial situation that we find ourselves in, I would not be opposed to discussing or considering this option as we look for ways to stimulate the school environment and increase competition among its employees.

9. Are you in favor of the Governor’s school voucher proposal?

There is not just one answer to the financial challenges that face school districts throughout Pennsylvania. I am open to listening to and discussing the merit of any option or opportunity.  But, in saying that, I also will say that I intend to perform due diligence in my research, review and deliberation with any proposal or decision presented before me.

10. How do you think Gov.Corbett’s proposed budget will affect East Penn?

I believe that the proposed budget will cause school districts across the commonwealth to perform reviews on their policies, procedures, spending, borrowing and operations. Initially, decisions made will be reactionary, but my hope, my read, is to get local school district administration and our school board thinking in a more proactive manner.  

• Do you have a social media page, such as a Facebook account? I am working on developing a campaign Facebook page.
• Do you tweet? No, I do not.

         East Penn School Board Candidates

Samuel Rhodes

Fawn Strunk
*Declined to Participate

Phillip Garrett Rhoades
*Declined to Participate