School safety and finances are key issues in the race for Scranton School Board, which includes 12 candidates vying for four open seats.
Tom Borthwick, Robert Casey, Cy Douaihy, Bob Lesh, Mark McAndrew, Carol Oleski, Tom Schuster, Bob Sheridan and James J. Timlin are running on the Democratic and Republican ballots in the May 21 primary election.
Todd Hartman, Kevin J. Manley and Douglas J. Miller are running as Democrats.
Mr. Lesh is a four-term incumbent, and Mr. Sheridan is seeking his second term. Mr. Hartman has served three terms on the board, the last ending in 2009. Mr. Douaihy is the board's newest member, appointed on April 5 to fill Sean O'Shea's vacancy.
Many candidates for the four seats, which are all for four-year terms, agreed that dealing with the loss in state education funding is the biggest issue facing the district. Under the last two budgets by Gov. Tom Corbett, the district lost a combined $11 million.
Mr. Casey, who is no relation to U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, said he would like to see the district share resources and services with other local governments to save money. He would also like to see the district pursue federal, state and private grants "to fund our educational programs without burdening the taxpayers."
Mr. Douaihy said from facing another budget by Mr. Corbett to the development of the district's alternative school, he wants to have a role in decision-making. The district is in the process of turning the former Lincoln-Jackson Elementary School into an alternative school. "I want to be on deck for the hard choices," Mr. Douaihy said.
The district must also look at school security and maintaining a healthy climate between administration and the teachers' union, he said.
Mr. McAndrew also said funding is the most important issue facing the district. He wants to focus on the "success of the student," and making sure that taxes are well spent and "actually get to the classroom," he said.
Mr. Lesh, who lost his temper several times during his last few months as board president in 2012, apologized for his behavior and called it a learning experience.
"I'm not that type of person, but I'm a fighter," he said, "I've fought for education and for our kids. I'll never give up that fight."
If elected for a fifth term, he would concentrate on opening a new school in the city's Hill Section, which would combine the populations of the now-closed John Audubon Elementary and William Prescott Elementary schools.
Ms. Oleski said she wants to be a watchdog for taxpayers and put more emphasis on "everyday schoolwork" and less emphasis on state testing. She also wants to find wasteful spending and put the money back in the classroom.
She also wants to pursue more grant money and put a school resource officer in every school.
Mr. Manley said his main goal is to make sure Scranton schools are safe. He also wants to add off-duty police officers on Scranton buses.
He would also work to increase transparency and wants to see a permanent funding solution for providing transportation to the students who live in South Scranton and face walks of more than 4 miles to Scranton High School.
Mr. Schuster said he would work toward creating a more open board and would promote discussion.
"Voting for me would give the citizens of the city a voice on the board," he said.
"Common sense" should be used when it comes to school safety, and schools should not be turned into prisons, he said.
Mr. Borthwick said he wants to better prepare students for their careers and wants to add a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program.
"The Scranton School District does not offer enough," he said. "We need to spend money bolstering the offerings of the Scranton School District."
He also wants to consolidate purchasing to save money.
Mr. Sheridan said school safety must be improved, including adding school resource officers and installing surveillance cameras on the outside of school buses to catch people illegally passing buses. The district is now in discussion with a company that would provide the cameras free of charge. He also credited the board with not raising school taxes for 2013 and saving programs despite state cuts.
"Our infrastructure of our neighborhoods depends a lot on our school district," he said. "If you're going to move here, you're going to want a good school system for your kids."
Mr. Timlin said one of his biggest goals is to make sure budget cuts do not affect children and to prepare students for the job market.
"I want to help the children, to put the children first," he said. "I want to make sure our money is being put in the right direction."
Mr. Hartman not only wants to take a tough look at district finances, he wants more accountability on the board. He took issue with the board appointing Mr. Douaihy earlier this month only three days after Mr. O'Shea resigned - and gave less than 48 hours for people to apply.
"I believe politics is getting in the way of their thinking," he said. "When they appointed someone after three days, that's not something that should have been done."
Mr. Miller also took issue with the way the board made the appointment.
"If that doesn't define politics, I don't know what does," he said. "Politics has no business being part of school district governments."
Instead of being focused on politics, the board needs to ensure students have the proper curriculum and education they need, he said.
"They are our future," he said. "They are the next generation."
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter
Tom Borthwick
Age: 30
Party: Democrat and Republican
Family: Engaged
Education: West Scranton High School, bachelor's degree from Marywood University, master's degrees in creative writing from Wilkes University
Employment: English teacher in the Riverside School District, adjunct professor at Marywood and Penn State Worthington Scranton
Experience: Board of directors for West Scranton Hyde Park Neighborhood Watch, chairman of the Elm Street Committee
Top issue: Expand advanced course offerings
Robert Casey
Age: 23
Party: Democrat and Republican
Family: Single. Son of Bob and Mary Anne Casey, sister Elizabeth
Education: Scranton High School, pursuing degree from East Stroudsburg University in interdisciplinary studies, including business management, history and political science
Employment: Customer service at Gerrity's on Meadow Avenue
Top issue: Education funding
Cy Douaihy
Age: 66
Party: Democrat and Republican
Family: Married to Jane Jenkins Douaihy, sons Douglas and Matthew, who is deceased
Education: Scranton Central High School, bachelor's degree in political science and history from St. Francis College, master's degree in managerial science from Marywood University
Employment: Retired Scranton School District teacher, adjunct professor at University of Scranton
Experience: Current Scranton School Board member, two terms on parish council and secretary/treasurer at Holy Name Society at St. Ann Maronite Church in Scranton
Top issue: Gov. Tom Corbett's education budgets and high-stake testing
Bob Lesh
Age: 56
Party: Democrat and Republican
Family: Daughters Michelle Burke and Rose Lesh, sons Robert Lesh and Martin Lesh, grandchildren Raven Sudnick, Christopher Burke and Haley Lesh
Education: Scranton School District GED, welding certificate from Johnson School of Technology, trowel trades and building maintenance certificates from the Career Technology Center
Employment: COLTS bus driver
Experience: Four terms on the Scranton School Board, Marine Corp veteran, past vice president of 20th Ward Social and Athletic Club, member of the O'Neill Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, social member of the German American Federation, social member of the Tauras and Polish clubs
Top issue: Education funding and doing more with less
Mark McAndrew
Age: 50
Party: Democrat and Republican
Family: Married to Anne Marie, daughters Mariah, Mackenzie and Markie
Education: West Scranton High School, graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, vocational 1 certification from Temple University, pursuing vocational 2 certification from Temple
Employment: Culinary arts instructor at the Career Technology Center, adjunct instructor at Luzerne County Community College
Experience: Member of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, food safety council
Top issue: Student success
Carol Oleski
Age: 50
Party: Democrat and Republican
Family: Married to Thomas, children Jennifer, Thomas Jr., Katrina, Brandon, Jessica and Donna
Education: West Scranton High School, Empire Beauty School
Employment: Paraprofessional at Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit
Experience: More than 25 years as a foster parent, with more that 100 children enrolled in Scranton School District, PTA vice president at West Scranton High School, neighborhood crime watch groups
Top issue: Improving student achievement
Tom Schuster
Age: 32
Party: Democrat and Republican
Family: Married to Tara Levandoski
Education: Bishop Hannon High School, bachelor's degree in psychology with a business minor from Penn State University
Employment: Therapeutic staff support for children with autism at the Children's Service Center in Wilkes-Barre
Top issue: Student achievement
Bob Sheridan
Age: 59
Party: Democrat and Republican
Family: Married to Marlene, daughter Norma Jean and sons Adam and Stefan
Education: Scranton School District GED, Act 120 program and advanced police courses at the former Lackawanna Junior College
Employment: Retired Scranton Police officer, owner of D&S Auto Sales, Lackawanna County deputy constable
Experience: Vice president of the Scranton School Board, president of the Dutch Hollow Neighborhood Association
Top issue: Keeping schools safe
James J. Timlin
Age: 66
Party: Democrat and Republican
Family: Married to Cynthia, daughter Tara
Education: South Catholic High School, diploma in drafting and design from West Side Area, associate's degree from the former Keystone Junior College, bachelor's degree in psychology and minor in biology from Millersville University, physician's assistant program at King's College
Employment: Retired pharmaceutical salesman
Experience: As a polio survivor, established support group; chairman of the Lackawanna County Multi-Purpose Stadium Authority
Top issue: Putting children first
Todd Hartman
Age: 48
Party: Democrat
Family: Wife Colleen, son Ryan, daughter Nicole, stepson Mark
Education: Scranton Technical High School
Employment: Scranton Sewer Authority
Experience: Three terms on the Scranton School Board, president of the East Mountain Neighborhood Association, member of the Local 158 Heavy Highway Union
Top issue: District finances
Kevin J. Manley
Age: 33
Party: Democrat
Family: Married to Jennifer, son Colin, 7, and daughter Cailyn, 3
Education: West Scranton High School, attended Penn State University, Lackawanna College and McCann School of Business
Employment: Logistics technician at Sanofi Pasteur
Experience: Member Hook O'Malley division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Irish Cultural Society, Minooka Lions Club, volunteer at West Scranton Little League
Top issue: School safety
Douglas J. Miller
Age: 23
Party: Democrat
Family: Single
Education: West Scranton High School, attended Lackawanna College
Employment: Manager of Olympia Sports in Carbondale
Experience: Former founder and president of Scranton Junior City Council, member of West Scranton Hyde Park Neighborhood Watch
Top issue: Stopping politics and nepotism