Peter Walks for Democracy

School boards are among the most important elected bodies in the United States. They oversee the superintendents, set budgets, and develop and revise policy. The 10,000 democracies we’ve set up around the county create a diverse ecosystem for the care of children. In Pennsylvania, we have 500 (picture at right),

In 2021, I was elected to the State College Area School District’s (SCASD) Board of Directors (swear-in photo at left). It has been one of the most gratifying and challenging things I have gotten to do in my life. Over my time, I have worked with the Board to transition from peak COVID to the new normal. We have budgeted, planned for, and overseen design and assessment of facilities to enhance special education, instructional capability in career and technical education, physical plant, energy efficiency, solar power, and electric vehicles. I was fortunate enough to represent the District (alongside Gretchen Brandt) and to Chair the Centre County Solar Working Group. We have supported a wide range of curriculum and updated policies ranging from drones to privacy to exchange students and more. Our board worked with staff and the teacher’s union to develop a contract that, to many people’s surprise, ended up with minimal disappointment and actual satisfaction on both sides. We hired a new superintendent.

We have faced numerous challenges. In 2022, Doug Mastriano’s run for Governor faced us with a stark budget choice as well as an inevitable assault on student well-being. With ties to antisemitic individuals, presence at the January 6th insurrection, anti-woman and a penchant for Confederate cosplay, we needed leaders to stand up. I was glad to join then Board President Amber Concepcion and Pennsylvania State Education Association’s local members to stand up for budgets that work for all students (Pictured at right from Mayor Ezra Nanes’ Twitter account. We are wearing “PA STUDENTS DESERVE FAIR FUNDING” shirts courtesy of Board member, Jackie Huff).

In 2023, a school board candidate trespassed into the high school and took pictures of books in the library. She and her husband have links to Lions for Liberty, a Moms for Liberty offshoot, as well as the Proud Boys. I turned video footage of the trespass over to The Centre Daily Times who, along with State College dot com, ran stories. I was subsequently attacked by hard rightwing white Christian nationalists. They called on me to removed, to resign, or be censured. The Board resisted. I fought back, exposed them, and kept speaking up. They lost. That time.

Last year, an eighth grade student died by suicide. She was the third student to die by suicide in as many years. To call these losses of young life tragic feels like a disservice. We mourn them with our families. The District’s response caused an uproar among members of the community, especially from families in the Park Forest Middle School. In the months since, I have spent hours with the Smith family, especially her mother, Jenn. While the unrightable wrong has occured, we have vowed to respond with intelligence and compassion. We are at the tail of critical assessments by outside parties to understand our response, our policies, procedures, and programs, and how can better respond and prepare in the future.

Delta just celebrated its 50th anniversary. It is a democratic middle and high school program where teachers and students together are able to be creative and develop innovative curriculum. My son goes there. I went there. Two years ago, the new superintendent pitched the idea that Delta should be a school. Something that seemed like an easy and straightforwards activity on its face (for the administration) turned into a busy hornet’s nest. Over months of shared investigation between administrators, Delta teachers, parents, students, and leadership, and the Board, we were able to move ahead. After crafting a Resolution that secures its culture, community, and practices, the Board voted to make Delta a school. But there was a great deal of mistrust to overcome, common ground to find and secure, and goals to share. We are in a much better place now.

Lawsuits. Racial backlash rooted in white rage. The impacts of a parasitic cyber-charter system. Madness, incompetence, and cruelty in the Trump regime that’s putting queer and trans, immigrant, poor, and families with special needs on edge. It is a solemn position.

But we are one of the best Districts in the Commonwealth. Academically, we are a powerhouse. Our agriculture, thespians, musicians, math, poetry, and other clubs win regional, state, and national awards. Sports teams and individuals have won state championships and gone to nationals. So have their coaches. We have incredible teachers.

We swear an oath to the Constitution when we take the office. We are here for kids. All kids. I have to say, my fellow Board members are dedicated people. Each of them are smart, passionate, caring, and diligent. I owe Debbie Anderson, Amy Bader, Gretchen Brandt, Amber Concepcion, Carline Crevecueour, Anne Demo, Dan Duffy, Jackie Huff, Dan Kolby, Jim Leous, Aaron Miller, Laurel Zydney (yes…Laurel and I tangled quite a bit), and our student representatives have given me a great deal. Of course, Dr. O’Donnell and Curtis Johnson, the two superintendents who’ve served with me along with administrators like Randy Brown, teachers, parents, and students have given me more than I could have asked for. They have taught me new perspectives, patience, courage, and dignity. I realized this read as if I am about to step down. I am not.

Seven people have filed to run for the SCASD Board, Debbie Anderson (Vice President) and Jackie Huff (former President) are running for re-election. Dr. Anderson is one of the most consistent people I have ever met in my life who leads with logic, asks questions, looks for evidence, and tries to keep things running smoothly. Huff is a gifted teacher, a tenacious advocate for children’s health, security, and learning, and truly enjoys celebrating kids’ and teachers’ successes.

Add to them, Jesse Barlow, Jenn Black, and Rebecca Arnold Desmairis. They are all dedicated members of the public school community. Barlow served on the State College Borough Council for eight years, including as Council President. Black has moved to the forefront of public life in the last year since her daughter, Abby Smith, died by suicide in April 2024. See her speak on this matter at a Board meeting last year. Desmairis has been on PTO’s, district committees, and coached basketball.

Two other folks have filed: Kristen McTernan and Mihaly Sigor. They are not familiar to me. Ms. McTernan has no web presence yet. Mr. Sigor’s Instragram page says he is “Reagan in the streets, Kennedy in the sheets” and that he has been at a Trump rally holding a sign showing he wanted to fire Joe Biden. Given the Trump regime’s attacks on the Department of Education, Sigor is a hard “NO” for me. We will see about Ms. McTernan.

I am grateful for this time on the Board with these folks and for this community. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.