In the photo are (l to r) Al Reitz, Adam Lebofsky, and Steve Stunder in the back row with Linda Mee and Karen Harragan seated.
“We Love Hatboro-Horsham Schools” describes perfectly why our 5 candidates are running for School Board. They all care deeply about the future of our schools. As a team they combine strong business skills with great experience as educators. Together they can help guide the district to cost-effectively improve educational outcomes. Please support them with your vote!
Four of our candidates have children in Hatboro-Horsham schools so they have strong interests as parents and taxpayers to ensure the district is as great as it can be. Linda Mee spent her entire teaching career working with kids at Blair Mill and Crooked Billet. Another candidate, Al Reitz, teaches Math in Phoenixville. We are passionate about our children's education.
Of course, as taxpayers we also want to make sure that every $1 spent is spent efficiently to improve education. We know that we must strike a balance between the steps taken to increase results and their cost. Spending more will not guarantee success. Caring more will.
Karen is a 12-year Horsham resident. She attended public school in Manhasset, NY. Karen earned a BA in Economics from Cornell University and an MBA from NYU, the Stern School of Business. She believes passionately that our children deserve a good education. Karen is very aware of the coming fiscal challenges our district faces. She hopes to bring her creativity and work experience to help find new and innovative ways to bring further excellence in education here in Horsham.
Karen has over 20 years experience in financial services, starting her career in banking with Chase Manhattan Bank. She migrated to consulting with Fair Isaac & Co and later started several companies, including CDG Consulting Group, Inc, MySchoolLights.Com and SaveCarbon.Org.
Karen has served on the Board of Directors of Family Services of Montgomery County for 10 years. Family Services is a non-profit social service agency which helps families, children and elders lead productive lives. She served as Treasurer and is currently the Secretary of the Board.
Karen is married and has a daughter at Simmons.
Adam has been a resident of Horsham Township for 15 years with his wife, Shana, and his three children (all of whom are enrolled in Hatboro-Horsham Schools). He has earned a B.A. in Psychology and an M.B.A. from Temple University. He is a highly respected leader in the financial services industry with expertise in the fields of financial management and marketing. His passions are family, community, and learning. Raised in a family of educators and himself a product of public schools, Adam’s strengths in fiscal responsibility, strategic planning, and leadership will ensure continued success and improvement for our schools.
His approach to serving on the school board is one of responsible change, a climate of openness, and learning innovation. These objectives would be achieved through a balanced scorecard methodology by which teachers, parents, students, and administrators can all succeed together. His favorite quote is "I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious." –Albert Einstein. Adam believes that only through creating an environment in which our children can be passionately curious will we enable the future leaders of tomorrow.
Linda has been a Horsham resident for the past 19 years. She is married to Michael Mee and is the mother of three grown children. Linda retired after teaching 35 years in the Hatboro-Horsham School District. After serving the children of Blair Mill Elementary School, and then Crooked Billet Elementary School she would like to continue being an advocate for your children as a member of our School Board. After a 21 year tenure at Crooked Billet, Linda considers Hatboro her second home.
Linda believes strongly in maintaining neighborhood schools, improved and open communication between the school board and community, providing high quality public education, and fiscally responsible spending during these trying economic times. Having worked for the children, parents, and administrators of the Hatboro-Horsham School District for her entire professional career, Linda can bring an experienced outlook to our school board.
Al is a lifelong resident of Horsham and graduate of Hatboro-Horsham High School. Al and his family are firmly committed to quality public education. His twin son and daughter went to Pennypack Elementary and now attend Keith Valley Middle School. Al has been a math teacher for 32 years at Phoenixville Area High School and is an adjunct instructor in the mathematics department at Bucks County Community College. He earned his B.S. Ed. from East Stroudsburg University and Master’s degrees in education from both Temple and Arcadia Universities.
Al believes in neighborhood schools, programs that meet the educational needs of all students, respectful negotiations between the Board and District employees, and keeping a watchful eye on district expenses. In addition to his teaching experience, Al offers the School Board a unique perspective having participated in successful teacher contract negotiations and administration selection committees.
Stephen has lived in Hatboro with his wife, Lisa, and two (soon to be three children) for the last seven years. Stephen’s son, Cameron (age 7), is a second grade student at Crooked Billet Elementary School. Stephen (age 3) hopes to soon be a Crooked Billet Beaver, as well as their new baby due in April 2009.
Currently, Stephen works at the NHS Woodhaven Center as the Director of Staff Training and Development. Stephen has worked at a variety of mental health providers in Pennsylvania including Woods Services, Aldie Counseling Center, and Penndel Mental Health Center.
Stephen received a Bachelor’s Degree from Saint Joseph’s University in English and Secondary Education, as well as Master’s Degree from Rosemont College in Psychology and Secondary School Counseling.
Both Stephen and his wife are very involved in the Hatboro-Horsham community. In fact, they met while both working at the Hatboro YMCA. Lisa is currently working with the Hatboro-Horsham Theater program, as well as teaching swim lessons at the YMCA.
Stephen is currently coaching ice hockey for Central Bucks East High School, and has coached for the last 10 seasons for Holy Ghost Prep, Drexel University, and Saint Joseph’s University.
Stephen’s family participates in many of the Hatboro community activities, most notably First Friday’s, Annual Christmas Parade, Turtle Race, and the Library Book Sale, just to name a few. Cameron has played several sports at the YMCA, for Horsham Soccer, Hatboro Little League, and Hatboro-Horsham Hoops.
Stephen’s family has greatly embedded themselves in the fabric of the Hatboro Community and looks to continue to assist in the growth and enjoyment of the place they call home. Stephen would like to share his personal investment in the local educational system, as well as the interests of the Hatboro-Horsham community, in raising Hatboro’s voice among our appointed officials.