OUR PRIORITIES

YS students deserve a relevant, world-class education so they can succeed in an increasingly competitive world.

York Suburban School District is ranked the #1 school district in York County and #67 out of 496 school districts in the state by Niche.

York Suburban High School again achieved the status of a U.S. News Best High School in their 2024 rankings. YSHS ranked #2 in York County, #84 in Pennsylvania, and #2,421 in the Nation (out of nearly 25,000 public high schools across the U.S.).

The YSHS Class of 2023 outperformed the national average in Mathematics and Evidence Based Reading and Writing. YSHS graduates continue to be consistently accepted to the most highly-selective colleges and universities.

The candidates we endorse will work to maintain YSSD’s rigorous academic program for college and career readiness by:

• continuously reviewing and updating curriculum to align with state standards as they change.
• Protecting the arts, music, athletics, and extracurricular activities, which are integral to quality education.
• Recruiting, hiring, and retaining the best teachers. 
• Ensuring student access to essential technology.

We value academic freedom and trust and respect our educators.

Liberty, free speech, and independent thinking are the ideals of our nation. Trying to limit or cancel those freedoms is not patriotic and is detrimental to students’ academic success. For generations YSSD has prepared graduates to think critically and to encounter and evaluate contrary positions – even those opposed to their firmly held beliefs. YSSD attracts the best educators in the region, and we trust their choice of resources. Curriculum censorship divides our community and diverts district resources from the educational mission.

The candidates we endorse will not interfere with educators’ selection of classroom resources to meet state curriculum standards and the needs of their students.

Public schools should be safe and supportive learning environments where every student is represented, respected, and valued.

PREVENT BULLYING

Schools and communities that respect diversity can help protect children against bullying behavior. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is nationally recognized as an effective part of bullying prevention programs.

According to www.stopbullying.gov, students who experience bullying are more likely to:

• Experience depression, anxiety, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, and other health complaints; these issues may persist into adulthood.
• Experience decreased academic achievement and school participation.
• Miss, skip, or drop out of school.

Students who bully are more likely to:

• Abuse alcohol and drugs in adolescence and adulthood.
• Get into fights, vandalize property, and drop out of school.
• Be abusive toward partners, spouses, or children and have criminal convictions as adults.

Students who witness bullying are more likely to:

• Have increased use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs.
• Have increased mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
• Miss or skip school.

The candidates we endorse trust proven methods of bullying prevention and will work to ensure that every student is respected, valued, and supported. They will not discriminate against any student based on race, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, and/or religion.

INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS

The most recent Pennsylvania Youth Survey data indicate risk factors for mental health and substance use in our community, and have for some time.

The candidates we endorse will support the use of school psychologists and school social workers, and connect students and their families to the community services to which they are entitled. They will also work to provide extra support for students and as many opportunities for peer engagement as efficiently as possible.

ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY AND HOMELESSNESS

The number of YS families experiencing economic hardship, food insecurity, and homelessness has increased (FAQS).

The candidates we endorse will work to address these issues as a school community.

ENCOURAGE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

Parental participation in school-supportive organizations such as boosters, PTOs and PSOs, and advisory committees has declined and many important parent-led organizations in the YS community struggle to fill leadership roles.

The candidates we endorse will encourage parental involvement and communicate all the benefits of participation in these important organizations.

We strive to achieve unity through understanding, respecting, and embracing our differences.

An effective consensus process is inclusive and engages all participants. Consensus decisions can lead to better quality outcomes that empower our YS community to move forward to create our future together.

Our candidates all cross-filed in the primary by securing signatures on their petitions from both Republicans and Democrats. They are not beholden to extreme and divisive politics.

The candidates we endorse will prioritize consensus-building to create a strong educational community that is welcoming to all. They will honestly and transparently strive to represent the entire York Suburban community while serving on the school board.

Sound fiscal management and maintaining YSSD’s reputation as a top performing district are critical for preserving property values.

All YS stakeholders have a vested interest in our schools. Strong schools ensure a competent workforce, greater civic engagement, and more stable communities. Our property values are directly affected by the success of our schools. According to RAYAC, the median sale price of a house in YSSD increased by 19% (from $215,000 tp $256,250) in the first quarter of 2023 compared to Q1 2022.

State law requires school districts to present a balanced budget annually. While many states fund public education near the 50% range, Pennsylvania covers only about 38% of the cost on average. Local school districts are forced to make up the difference, mostly through property taxes. However, school districts cannot raise taxes above the maximum percentage allowed by the state. Our candidates are taxpayers. They are district residents who represent a cross section of the YS community and understand the complex financial challenges facing all of us.

The candidates we endorse will be fiscally responsible and carefully balance the needs of students, families, educators, and taxpayers. They will balance YSSD’s budget through sound fiscal management and control expenditures without adversely impacting YSSD’s tradition of Academic Excellence.