School board candidates meet the public

Posted by Jim Phreaner on May 4, 2011

Corrine Sweeney’s decision not to seek re-election to
Unionville Chadds Ford School District Region A School Board of Directors
election has resulted in two East Marlborough Township residents vying for her
school board seat. The two candidates are Victor DuPuis and Rob MacPherson.

On April 28, the Chester County League of Women Voters and
the U-CFSD PTO sponsored a lively public forum question and answer session with
DuPuis, MacPherson and four other UCFSD residents who are running unopposed for
their seats. Sharon Jones (Region
C - Chadds Ford and Pennsbury Township) will be replacing Dr. Paul Price, who is
not seeking re-election. Incumbents Board President Timotha Trigg (Region C),
Board Vice President Frank Murphy (Region C) and Eileen Bushelow (Region B –
Pocopson & Birmingham Twp.) also participated even though they are not being
challenged at the polls this May.

The theme of the April 28 program featured the school board
candidates answering questions written by local residents in the audience and
brief opening and closing remarks by each candidate. Readers can watch a video of
the April 28 program on the UCFSD webpage http://www.ucfsd.org/

All candidates agreed they serve as stewards for the
taxpayers, but are also charged with providing high quality education for
students. A few controversial areas included the candidates’ hindsight views
regarding the Unionville High School renovation project. While the candidates
conceded most aspects of the renovation were needed, they acknowledged the
decision to move forward with the project after two failed voter referendums
was controversial. The candidates
graded the renovation project favorably, even though there is an issue
regarding the auditorium height.

Each candidate said they either have children currently
attend Unionville Chadds Ford schools or have graduated. All seemed supportive
of closely evaluating the potential outsourcing of school district
transportation employees as the school district budget will face declining
revenue based in part on less financial support from Harrisburg.

About Jim Phreaner

After 41 years of auditing large NYSE global corporations, former IRS Agent Jim Phreaner was looking for a project in retirement with fewer regulations and more people. He joined the staff at Chadds Ford Live more than a year ago. James Edward “Jim” Phreaner, 64, died suddenly in his Birmingham Township home on Dec.17, 2012. Jim was a devoted husband, son, father, friend, and neighbor.