For Laura Shannon Maurer, the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board has not respected the will of the voters.

The 66-year-old resident of Newlin Township did not say explicitly whether she was for or against the planned renovation for Unionville High School, but said, “I believe in the need for good, strong public schools, but the will of the electorate should have been respected.”

Maurer was referring to the two referendums that voters rejected.

She doesn’t discount the need for improvements to the high school, but said the approach must consider all residents in the district and the current economic down turn.

She said the senior population, the farm population and others on fixed incomes need to be considered and that, “All the constituents in the district need to be considered. Everyone who gets up to speak at school board meetings should be respected, not belittled.”

Maurer, a former Republican turned Democrat has cross-filed for the May 19 primary. She is opposed by Jeff Leiser and Holly Manzone. The three are vying for two seats in Region B that will be vacated at the end of this year. Region B is comprised of Birmingham, Pocopson and Newlin townhips.

Maurer, who is retired from IBM after 30 years of management, now manages a family horse farm in Newlin.

She is calling for the board to review and reanalyze past decisions regarding the renovation project -- estimated at roughly $70 million – and to make changes because of current economic conditions. She said she’s big on fiscal restraint and fiscal management.

“Everyone is hurting. The economy has changed drastically [since decisions were made about the renovation project.] I don’t believe in ballooning debt. There is tremendous deficit spending,” she said.

“Everyone wants a fabulous high school, but sometimes we can’t have everything we want. Sometimes there needs to be compromise and trade offs,” Maurer continued, “and there are tradeoffs that can be made without interfering with quality.

She said the decisions must be ”non-emotional.”

While Maurer and Manzone may disagree on the renovation project, they both agree that it’s not a party issue.

For Maurer, “This is a management issue and one of respect for the electorate.”

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