Six candidates for the Gettysburg Area School Board shared their visions for the district during a recent forum hosted by Gettysburg Rising on Thursday evening. With four open seats in the upcoming election, the forum provided a platform for candidates to discuss pressing issues, including looming budget cuts, curriculum modernization, and the overall health of the school community.
While their backgrounds and approaches varied, the candidates were unified in recognizing the challenges ahead and their commitment to ensuring GASD remains a place where all students can thrive.
Listen to the entire conversation here.
Dale Brennan (D), a retired high school teacher and coach, emphasized the importance of listening and trust in leadership. “As a community, sometimes you have to trust school board members that they’re gonna do their research, they’re gonna talk to people, and they’re gonna listen to people, and then they’re gonna make an informed decision,” he said. Brennan spoke of his long career in education and his efforts to give students in the social sciences equal recognition and opportunity.
Donna S. Harrison (D/R), a former principal of James Gettys Elementary with over 40 years in the district, stressed equity in education as a foundational goal. “The whole purpose of a school board is to make decisions that are in the best interest of all children, all of our children regardless of race, regardless of their economic background, they are entitled to have an excellent education,” she said. Harrison reflected on her leadership and the importance of community engagement in schools.
Kathleen Pratt (D/R), a former board member and business professor, said her campaign is grounded in values she has already proven in office. “I value every student. I support our teachers and staff, and I will listen to you. And those are not just pretty words that a candidate says when she wants you to vote for her… they are true, they’re verifiable, and they are who I am,” she told the audience. Pratt highlighted looming federal education funding cuts and the need for participatory leadership to address them.
Julieta Booz (D/R), a retired Navy program manager, brought a systems-based perspective to the race. She advocated for forward-thinking investment in all types of students. “Our students today are gonna be our future caregivers, our future artists, our future tradespeople, our future explorers in careers we don’t even know what they’re gonna be… our job… is that we provide the training and resources to help every student follow their dream,” she said.
Charles Weise (D), a longtime economics professor at Gettysburg College, focused on empowering educators and ensuring decisions are made closest to where learning happens. “Education happens when a student makes a connection with the teacher. It relies on good teachers caring about the students… and having the freedom to do their jobs the way they’re trained to do,” he said. Weise also expressed concern about micromanagement and called for greater trust in professional staff.
Justine Sieg (D/R), a business teacher and Gettysburg graduate with children in the district, offered a parent-educator perspective. She outlined her top priorities, beginning with a clear focus: “Student success is always number one, right, because our students are most important in the district, making sure that we give them all of the opportunities to be successful in their future,” she said. Sieg also stressed financial transparency, staff support, and career readiness for all students.
Candidate David L Sites (D/R) could not attend the event. Candidate Michelle Smyers (R) attended but was not invited to speak.
The primary election is scheduled for May 20. School board candidates may appear on both Republican and Democractic party ballots due to Pennsylvania’s cross-filing rules. The top four Democratic candidates and the top four Republican candidates will face off in the Nov. Municipal Election, where four board members will ultimately be elected.
As a parent to two children in the district, this crop of candidates seems somewhat promising; I’m glad to see actual educators in the running. The current board is sloppy and incompetent, at best. So let’s hope a refresh with the board will improve the direction of the district.