Meet Your 2023, Republican Endorsed Elizabethtown, PA School Board Candidates

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Tina Wilson for Elizabethtown pa School Board
Tina Wilson For Elizabethtown School Board Red Blue Shooting Star Logo
It’s time to return to traditional family values. Instead of spending $1 million of taxpayer money on Social Emotional Learning, we need to concentrate on giving our students an excellent, comprehensive education and leave the moral upbringing to the parents.

Tina Wilson, her husband, and two daughters have lived in Elizabethtown for 17 years. She has a background in insurance and HR and currently runs a small business from home.
She is a Christian, conservative patriot, an avid campaigner for Republican candidates and Judge of Elections in Etown Boro.

Tina decided to run for school board because she believes that the people of Elizabethtown deserve a school board that remember that they serve the community, first and foremost.

She believes we need to return to good family values, the school teaches academics, parents teach morals and values. Fiscal responsibility – we need to be more careful how we spend taxpayers money, stop adding to the budget and not subtracting. Enough of the indoctrination of our children, no more woke ideologies. No more dirty books in the library. And above all we need complete transparency. Parents should know exactly what’s happening in schools, no excuses. 

Tina Wilson, her husband, and two daughters have lived in Elizabethtown for 17 years. She has a background in insurance and HR and currently runs a small business from home.

She is a Christian, conservative patriot, an avid campaigner for Republican candidates, and Judge of Elections in Elizabethtown Borough.

Tina decided to run for school board because she believes that the people of Elizabethtown deserve a school board that remember that they serve the community, first and foremost.

She believes we need to return to good family values, where the school teaches academics and the parents teach morals and values. Tina believes that fiscal responsibility must be more prevalent in that we need to be more careful with how we spend taxpayers money. We need to stop adding to the budget and never subtracting from it. She also feels that there should be no more indoctrination of our children, no more woke ideologies being taught, and only age appropriate books in the library. And above all she feels we need complete transparency in that parents should know exactly what’s happening in their child’s schools.

Lynda Shrum Profile Photo
Lynda Schrum for Elizabethtown School Board Red Blue Shooting Star Logo

I am passionate about bridging the divide between parents, teachers, and administrators in order to provide EVERY student the opportunity to succeed in society!  I am a common sense conservative who believes in a strong academic focus over social activism. 

As a Lancaster county native, Lynda was taught a strong work ethic. She has developed a strong desire to serve others as taught in the christian faith she highly values. As a strong conservative, she is pro life and strongly supports the U.S. constitution.

Lynda married her high school sweetheart and they had three children which has resulted in a total of 10 grandchildren! She has worked in the healthcare industry in various capacities for over 30 years. She along with her husband Jim currently serve on their local church eldership team which has been ongoing for almost 20 years. They have also taken several overseas missions trips to serve underdeveloped countries. Through the years Lynda has served on sports booster committees, woman’s ministry groups, and is currently the secretary of their neighborhood Home Owners Association.

Recognizing adversity in life can produce strength of character, Lynda has worked hard to move forward after the tragic loss of their son Joel in March of 2012. “Life on earth can be very short and we are never guaranteed tomorrow”.

Lynda will bring life experience and stability to the board. She is a proud parent and grandparent which gives rise to her desire to further service the children and parents of the Elizabethtown community. Her strong ability to listen and communicate will lead to healthy discussions and her strong work ethic coupled with the desire to serve will bring results that will benefit both our students and our community as a whole.

As a Lancaster county native, Lynda was taught a strong work ethic. She has developed a strong desire to serve others as taught in the Christian faith she highly values. As a strong conservative, she is pro life and strongly supports the U.S. constitution.

Lynda married her high school sweetheart and they had three children which has resulted in a total of 10 grandchildren! She has worked in the healthcare industry in various capacities for over 30 years. She, along with her husband Jim, currently serve on their local church eldership team which has been ongoing for almost 20 years. They have also taken several overseas missions trips to serve underdeveloped countries. Through the years Lynda has served on sports booster committees, woman’s ministry groups, and is currently the secretary of their neighborhood Home Owners Association.

Recognizing adversity in life can produce strength of character, Lynda has worked hard to move forward after the tragic loss of their son Joel in March of 2012. “Life on earth can be very short and we are never guaranteed tomorrow”.

Lynda will bring life experience and stability to the board. She is a proud parent and grandparent which gives rise to her desire to further service the children and parents of the Elizabethtown community. Her strong ability to listen and communicate will lead to healthy discussions and her strong work ethic coupled with the desire to serve will bring results that will benefit both our students and our community as a whole.

As a Lancaster county native, Lynda was taught a strong work ethic. She has developed a strong desire to serve others as taught in the christian faith she highly values. As a strong conservative, she is pro life and strongly supports the U.S. constitution.

Lynda married her high school sweetheart and they had three children which has resulted in a total of 10 grandchildren! She has worked in the healthcare industry in various capacities for over 30 years. She along with her husband Jim currently serve on their local church eldership team which has been ongoing for almost 20 years. They have also taken several overseas missions trips to serve underdeveloped countries. Through the years Lynda has served on sports booster committees, woman’s ministry groups, and is currently the secretary of their neighborhood Home Owners Association.

Recognizing adversity in life can produce strength of character, Lynda has worked hard to move forward after the tragic loss of their son Joel in March of 2012. “Life on earth can be very short and we are never guaranteed tomorrow”.

Lynda will bring life experience and stability to the board. She is a proud parent and grandparent which gives rise to her desire to further service the children and parents of the Elizabethtown community. Her strong ability to listen and communicate will lead to healthy discussions and her strong work ethic coupled with the desire to serve will bring results that will benefit both our students and our community as a whole.

PLATFORM

Safety – prioritize safety for students, teachers, and faculty. Support and stand with first responders.
Academics – prepare every student to be career ready. Provide strong opportunities for both college bound and vocational technical students. Coming up with long term plans to close the achievement gap.
Financial – fiscal accountability through transparency. Work hard to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent effectively and wisely. Mindful and sharp budgeting.
Teacher support – fair salaries as well as improved professional development for all teachers. Recruit and retain highly effective teachers which will improve district wide test scores. Support our teachers as they inspire students to learn.
Parental rights/responsibilities – support parental rights in school curriculum. Ensuring that policies foster and maximize the opportunities for parents to be involved in the education of their students, while recognizing that the ultimate responsibility lies with them.

Menno Riggleman Profile Photo
Menno Riggleman for Etown School Board Red Blue Shooting Star Logo
I want to ADVOCATE FOR ALL TAXPAYERS by protecting the public’s right to petition their School Board and require fiscal responsibility. The school board must serve as a good steward of our community’s tax dollars and we must also increase transparency in our school administration.

Menno was born and raised in Elizabethtown and started work at a very young age delivering newspapers. At age 13 he began working at the Sunoco gas station pumping gas and when he turned 14 he
worked in an automotive shop at Perks car service.

In 8th grade, Menno’s  science fair project was an engine that he  pulled out of his van and subsequently used the parts to show how an engine works. He received an A from his 8th grade teacher and will never forget this learning moment. His senior year of high school he began working full time in the school’s work program. Menno realized then how important it is to prepare every student to be career ready and provide strong opportunities for both college bound and vocational technical students. 

After graduation Menno opened his own repair service right here in Elizabethtown. He worked long hours and consistently kept repair costs down for the public. He learned at a young age about good work ethics and how to best run a business with a large customer base. He learned quickly that keeping a customer happy was by far cheaper than advertising costs.

Menno got married n 1989 and raised three children and will have a  granddaughter starting next year in the Elizabethtown School District. While it was never easy balancing family life with business, Menno realized that he had to make the time he had count. He strove to raise his children for God and set an example to both live your life for God and to care for others. 

Menno was an Elizabethtown School Board Director from 2017- 2021 and is determined to bring fiscal accountability through transparency to Elizabethtown’s board. His work ethic will bleed over to the school board and he will work tirelessly to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent effectively and wisely and be mindful of both the residents and stakeholders.

Menno was born and raised in Elizabethtown and started work at a very young age delivering newspapers. At age 13 he began working at the Sunoco gas station pumping gas and when he turned 14 he
worked in an automotive shop at Perks car service.

In 8th grade, Menno’s  science fair project was an engine that he pulled out of his van and subsequently used the parts to show how an engine works. He received an A from his 8th grade teacher and will never forget this learning moment. His senior year of high school he began working full time in the school’s work program. Menno realized then how important it is to prepare every student to be career ready and provide strong opportunities for both college bound and vocational technical students. 

After graduation Menno opened his own repair service right here in Elizabethtown. He worked long hours and consistently kept repair costs down for the public. He learned at a young age about good work ethics and how to best run a business with a large customer base. He learned quickly that keeping a customer happy was by far cheaper than advertising costs.

Menno got married in 1989 and raised three children and will have a  granddaughter starting next year in the Elizabethtown School District. While it was never easy balancing family life with business, Menno realized that he had to make the time he had count. He strove to raise his children for God and set an example to both live your life for God and to care for others. 

Menno was an Elizabethtown School Board Director from 2017- 2021 and is determined to bring fiscal accountability through transparency to Elizabethtown’s board. His work ethic will bleed over to the school board and he will work tirelessly to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent effectively and wisely and be mindful of both the residents and stakeholders.

James Gilles Profile Photo
James Gilles for Elizabethtown School Board Red Blue Shooting Star Logo
It’s time for our school board to stop playing politics and get back to common sense. I will strive to hold our school board accountable to establish procedures, policies and standards that reflect the needs of the community. 

James was raised on a small dairy farm in West-Central Minnesota and graduated from Battle Lake Public High School. His graduating class was the largest in school history with 48 students. His formative years gave him his work ethic by supporting a 24 hour a day, seven days a week lifestyle.

After graduation Jim joined the U.S. Navy in a 6-year service obligation program for Nuclear power. He spent 2 years in an accelerated training program before being assigned to a nuclear powered submarine. Two additional reenlistments and 10 years later James was ready to settle down and raise a family. After 12 years in the Navy he learned discipline, respect, leadership and a respect for procedures and standards.

After leaving the Navy, James took a job working in the nuclear field at a power plant in southern New Jersey. Here he worked with a diverse group of people in the generation of clean reliable electricity. In this regulated industry, strict compliance to federal and state codes and standards were a must. As a supervisor, James managed a team of construction employees ensuring compliance to budget and schedule. It is here James learned the cost impact and importance of adherence to budget and schedule.

In 1991 a family illness pushed James to relocate his wife and family closer to her parents in PA. Due to the commute to NJ every day he decided to pursue a position within the same company at Three Mile Island. While working in the Engineering Department he completed his Bachelor’s Degree from Thomas Edison University. In this role James worked with industry experts to create the air operated valve testing program adopted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and implemented at every nuclear power plant across the U.S. James eventually moved into a Manager position in the Maintenance Department. He retired from Exelon Generation following nearly 20 years at TMI. As a manager in the Maintenance Department James  was responsible in ensuring that his personnel were qualified to perform their assigned duties. He was also required to develop budgets and schedules annually for his personnel.

James is a husband, father and grandfather. He will bring to the School Board a skill set consistent with the needs for a Director. This includes leadership, respect, budget development and adherence to said budget, and development and adherence to procedures and policies.

James was raised on a small dairy farm in West-Central Minnesota and graduated from Battle Lake Public High School. His graduating class was the largest in school history with 48 students. His formative years gave him his work ethic by supporting a 24 hour a day, seven days a week lifestyle.

After graduation Jim joined the U.S. Navy in a 6-year service obligation program for Nuclear power. He spent 2 years in an accelerated training program before being assigned to a nuclear powered submarine. Two additional reenlistments and 10 years later James was ready to settle down and raise a family. After 12 years in the Navy he learned discipline, respect, leadership and a respect for procedures and standards.

After leaving the Navy, James took a job working in the nuclear field at a power plant in southern New Jersey. Here he worked with a diverse group of people in the generation of clean reliable electricity. In this regulated industry, strict compliance to federal and state codes and standards were a must. As a supervisor, James managed a team of construction employees ensuring compliance to budget and schedule. It is here James learned the cost impact and importance of adherence to budget and schedule.

In 1991 a family illness pushed James to relocate his wife and family closer to her parents in PA. Due to the commute to NJ every day he decided to pursue a position within the same company at Three Mile Island. While working in the Engineering Department he completed his Bachelor’s Degree from Thomas Edison University. In this role James worked with industry experts to create the air operated valve testing program adopted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and implemented at every nuclear power plant across the U.S. James eventually moved into a Manager position in the Maintenance Department. He retired from Exelon Generation following nearly 20 years at TMI. As a manager in the Maintenance Department James  was responsible in ensuring that his personnel were qualified to perform their assigned duties. He was also required to develop budgets and schedules annually for his personnel.

James is a husband, father and grandfather. He will bring to the School Board a skill set consistent with the needs for a Director. This includes leadership, respect, budget development and adherence to said budget, and development and adherence to procedures and policies.

Kelly Carter Profile Photo
Kelly Carter for Elizabethtown School Board Red Blue Shooting Star Logo

Teach Respect. Learn Respect. Show Respect. Let’s give our teachers an environment that is safe and productive. Let’s give our students the resources to be successful and the accountability to achieve it. As a community, let’s give everyone a chance to be heard and support one another so everyone succeeds.

Kelly and her husband, Joe, have been married 23 years, and have been a part of the Elizabethtown Community for 17 years. She grew up in South Jersey, about 20 minutes outside of Philadelphia. After high school, Kelly attended Messiah University for two years as an Elementary Education Major. She transferred to Rowan University to finish her degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education with a specialization in Math and Science. While attending high school and college, Kelly worked in daycare and as an aide in an elementary classroom. 

 

When she graduated from college, she began working in her hometown as a Kindergarten teacher. She had two children and then moved to Pennsylvania for her husband’s job. 

 

In Pennsylvania, she worked for LCBC Church in several leadership roles within their kidMinistry. She had her third child shortly after moving to Elizabethtown. 

 

Kelly and Joe have been involved in the foster care system for the last ten years. They had planned to just be a foster home, but have ended up adopting four children and are currently fostering one. Her eight children currently span the ages of 3-20. All of her children have been enrolled in the Elizabethtown Area School District. Currently, she has three children at Bear Creek, one at Elizabethtown Middle School, two in Elizabethtown High School and one studying nursing at Wilkes University.

 

Kelly is a part-time substitute teacher as she cares for her three year old and manages the many appointments, schedules and laundry at home. 

 

Kelly has served as an Elizabethtown school volunteer in many capacities over the last 15 years: PTO Board, sports’ boards, and classroom volunteer. She has volunteered on the Parent Advisory Board for Head Start and has been an active volunteer in the kidMinistry at her church. 

 

Kelly’s journey of teaching, parenting, and fostering has grown the passion in her to care for children and advocate for them. Being a foster parent, Kelly learned a lot about our Child Welfare System. She has had to stand up for the children in her care many times, in different ways, and she has learned what works when communicating with agencies and different providers. 

 

As foster/adoptive parents, Kelly and Joe have recognized the importance of the ongoing relationship with the biological families of their children. It has made Kelly realize, after being uncomfortable initially, it eventually led to a very positive outcome as the families were blended together. 
 
Kelly’s life experiences have uniquely prepared her to step into the role of a School Board director. Having children throughout the district also gives her a ground level perspective to aid in decision making within the Board. 
Kelly and her husband, Joe, have been married 23 years, and have been a part of the Elizabethtown Community for 17 years. She grew up in South Jersey, about 20 minutes outside of Philadelphia. After high school, Kelly attended Messiah University for two years as an Elementary Education Major. She transferred to Rowan University to finish her degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education with a specialization in Math and Science. While attending high school and college, Kelly worked in daycare and as an aide in an elementary classroom. 
 
When she graduated from college, she began working in her hometown as a Kindergarten teacher. She had two children and then moved to Pennsylvania for her husband’s job. 
 
In Pennsylvania, she worked for LCBC Church in several leadership roles within their kidMinistry. She had her third child shortly after moving to Elizabethtown. 
 
Kelly and Joe have been involved in the foster care system for the last ten years. They had planned to just be a foster home, but have ended up adopting four children and are currently fostering one. Her eight children currently span the ages of 3-20. All of her children have been enrolled in the Elizabethtown Area School District. Currently, she has three children at Bear Creek, one at Elizabethtown Middle School, two in Elizabethtown High School and one studying nursing at Wilkes University.
 
Kelly is a part-time substitute teacher as she cares for her three year old and manages the many appointments, schedules and laundry at home. 
 
Kelly has served as an Elizabethtown school volunteer in many capacities over the last 15 years: PTO Board, sports’ boards, and classroom volunteer. She has volunteered on the Parent Advisory Board for Head Start and has been an active volunteer in the kidMinistry at her church. 
 
Kelly’s journey of teaching, parenting, and fostering has grown the passion in her to care for children and advocate for them. Being a foster parent, Kelly learned a lot about our Child Welfare System. She has had to stand up for the children in her care many times, in different ways, and she has learned what works when communicating with agencies and different providers. 
 
As foster/adoptive parents, Kelly and Joe have recognized the importance of the ongoing relationship with the biological families of their children. It has made Kelly realize, after being uncomfortable initially, it eventually led to a very positive outcome as the families were blended together. 
 
Kelly’s life experiences have uniquely prepared her to step into the role of a School Board director. Having children throughout the district also gives her a ground level perspective to aid in decision making within the Board. 

VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATES COMMITTED TO “ABC IT!

✮ Fulfill the oath
✮ Enforce policies
✮ Partner with stakeholders

WE BELIEVE as elected officials we have an obligation to accept responsibility for our actions. Those actions must uphold the U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions and be consistent with fulfilling our oath of office. We will ensure our established policies, procedures and standards are current and without conflict. We will foster a culture of accountability by enforcement of those policies and procedures by our board and their constituents. Together our board and community will establish a clear set of goals and performance metrics. We will partner with and prioritize the interests of local stakeholders.

✮ Strive for balance
✮ Defend taxpayers
✮ Identify savings opportunities

WE WILL Promote Fiscal Responsibility while prioritizing education and being mindful of all residents and stakeholders. We will respect the financial implications of using the public’s money both now and in the future, along with a sensitivity to increasing taxes and debt. WE NEED BALANCE. We need to give taxpayers some much needed relief in these trying times, separate needs from wants, and make some strategic cuts to the budget.

✮ Prepare students for post-graduation success
✮ Focus on academics and skills

WE BELIEVE the academic education of our children should be the number one priority. We must restore focus on academic subjects, technical skills and life-readiness and bring back the basics to build a strong academic foundation – Reading, Writing, Math, and Civics. We must also take responsibility to improve district wide proficiencies then allocate resources to achieve these goals. Library books, curriculum, and supplemental materials need to be age and grade level appropriate, standards based, and vetted through a transparent process. Parents have a right and a responsibility to be involved in that process. 

✮ Exemplify honesty
✮ Promote civility
✮ Monitor compliance

WE BELIEVE Integrity should be the most important element so our school design can be successful. To achieve our potential, we must have integrity. It will help shape a culture of respect and civility. We must include open and fair processes and monitor policy and procedural compliance. Integrity should force us all to be held accountable. Words like honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage should be words that represent the leaders in our district. 

✮ Communicate openly
✮ Be responsive
✮ Encourage honest feedback

WE BELIEVE complete transparency in a school board is vital. Elizabethtown needs a school board that listens and responds to all of its community members regardless of their views. One that insists on a budget that shows exactly where our tax money goes and a curriculum with no secret agendas.  Having this will ensure sound decision making that is data based and that is easily accessible to community members. Most of all, we need school board members to pursue open communication and transparency while working toward common goals of the School Board, Administration and Our Beloved Elizabethtown Community as it is essential for success.

Setting a standard of excellence to help our students live, learn, and thrive!

Promote Fiscal Responsibility while prioritizing education and being mindful of all residents and stakeholders. We will respect the financial implications of using the public’s money both now and in the future, along with a sensitivity to increasing taxes and debt. WE NEED BALANCE. We need to give taxpayers some much needed relief in these trying times, and  separate needs from wants and make some strategic cuts to the budget.

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