The race for Reading School Board will be contested on Democratic ballots.
There are six candidates running for four nominations. Three are incumbents, and three are newcomers.
School board members serve four-year terms, unless otherwise denoted. The position is unpaid.
The candidates were each asked to respond to the following two questions:
Question 1: Why are you the best candidate for this position?
Question 2: What is the most pressing issue facing your school district and how would you address it.
Incumbents are denoted with an asterisk. Here are their responses:
Shayka Yarira Delrio-Gonzalez
Age: 48
Occupation: Senior branch member account specialist at Visions Federal Credit Union
Response 1: I’m not the best. I am an asset. I have experiences that not many individuals in this city have experienced. I am a mother that lost my son to brutal gun violence on Feb. 23, 2021.
I also have a son currently incarcerated accused of murder. However, neither situation defines me as an individual.
I have made choices in life which have given me knowledge to address different issues and situations.
I’m an individual that is a go-getter, independent, strong minded. I know my place and I speak on what I know. What I don’t know I will find answers or guide you in right direction.
Response 2: It is my belief that one of the most pressing issues throughout our district is the safety of our children, right along with our curriculum and the disconnection between parents and the schools.
My goal is to educate parents so they are involved throughout the entire educational system. Strengthen our curriculum across the board. Last but not least, hire retired veterans, police officers or sheriff to keep our schools safe.
Melissa Eggert
Age: 57
Occupation: Educational consultant
Response 1: I am the best candidate for Reading School District school director because of the 34 years I spent as an educator for the Reading School District. During my career I was a classroom teacher, reading coach, reading specialist and a professional development facilitator for literacy. Through my various positions, I gained knowledge and insight about the workings of a school district.
My involvement in community organizations began after graduating from college and include: current chair of the city’s ethics board, Reading Education Foundation, United Way Ready Set Read board, Berks County Commission for Women, Humane PA board chair, Harwood Initiative early childhood education team, and American Association of University Women past president.
I am dedicated to supporting the students, their families and the employees of the Reading School District.
Response 2: One of the most pressing issues facing the Reading School District is the safety and social/emotional health of students and staff. I would continue to support the initiatives already in place. I would also research and explore innovations and effective practices in districts similar to Reading.
The district has safe schools officers, as well as safety policies and procedures for students and staff. It is important to continue to practice procedures and drills on a regular basis. The district also has programs that help school counselors identify students who may be experiencing mental health crises. Every school has school counselors who assist students and families. There is a kindergarten through eight grade curriculum taught by the school counselors to address social/emotional learning.
It is important for the school board to work with the administration to ensure that the programs, policies and procedures in place continue to be effective.
Mark Detterline*
Age: 28
Occupation: Assistant dean of admissions at Swarthmore College
Response 1: When I was elected in 2019, no one could have predicted what 2020 would look like. Schools boards had to navigate this crisis with little guidance from state officials and, particularly here in Berks, without the aid of a county health department.
My colleagues and I made unprecedented and wildly difficult decisions that allowed for our staff and students to remain in the safest spaces for the longest amount of time. We invested in technology and supported our community. I take pride in knowing that my colleagues and I remained calm and put our best foot forward for our district and our community.
Since then, the focus has turned to safety, mental health and advocacy on behalf of large, urban districts across the state.
I’ve devoted my professional career to the higher education space, which gives me a particular lens with which to see the progress of the district. I obtained my master’s degree from Albright, which adds an additional layer of knowledge and experience to my role in the district.
Response 2: There isn’t one issue that our district faces that outweighs any others. At the top of the list will always be issues like safety, the mental health of our staff and students, teacher hiring and retention, graduation rates, preparing our students for the real world, and maintaining our role and our reach into the community.
These are all issues that the district and our administrative team — led by superintendent Dr. Jennifer Murray — have been tackling day in and day out. In a district of 19,000 students and 2,000-plus staff and faculty, change doesn’t happen overnight. However, we continue to look for ways to make sure students and staff feel safe, that our students are learning and having fun, and that we continue to lean on local and statewide officials as we advocate for more resources to come into the district after decades of gross underfunding.
Noahleen Betts*
Did not respond.
Julio C. Martinez*
Did not respond.
Abrianny Rivas
Did not respond.
Source: Berkshire mont