Three vie for two seats on California board
CALIFORNIA – The race for school director in the California Area School District’s Region 2 features three candidates vying for the two open seats. Seeking both the Democratic and Republic nominations for the four-year term are incumbents John Bayer and Thomas Russell and challenger Walter Moluski III. Region 2 covers California Precinct 3, West Pike Run Township and Blainesburg.
Bayer is in his 12th year as a school director. He is a teacher.
“I enjoy it. I like to make a difference in the district. I graduated from California,” Bayer said.
The board is considering renovations to Booster Field and the possibility of constructing a wellness center.
“The Booster Field project is going to have to be funded either out of bond funds or long-term investments for the district. The fitness center is going to be dependent on the $2 million grant that may be available from the state. We’re looking at moving the administration offices and getting rid of Phillipsburg School, which costs us $70,000 a year to run. The savings would finance these projects,” Bayer said.
Bayer wholeheartedly supports having the district take over the special education programs provided by the Intermediate Unit 1.
“We are the only district that employs more than one IU person in the schools. We have no control over these employees. They are IU employees. They cannot be assigned other duties in our district,” Bayer said.
Bayer said the district is also looking at ways to improve school security.
“We’re looking at some redesign of our front office areas…We have put cameras in and instituted a lock-down system. We can minimize the effects, but there is no way to prevent someone from walking up to a window,” Bayer said.
“If you’re going to have a security officer, they should be armed. I would prefer having trained professionals. There’s still no guarantee. Virginia Tech has an entire police force and it still happened there,” Bayer said.
Russell is also in his third term on the school board. Russell said he is opposed to renovating Booster Field. He owns a screen-printing business.
“You’re spending money at a facility that’s two miles from the school. If we’re going to spend money on a facility, I think it should be right next to the school,” Russell said.
Russell said he is still looking into the wellness center concept.
“It’s only something we thought of because there are public monies that may be available, so we’re looking into it. I’m not looking to raise taxes or doing anything to make that happen,” Russell said.
Russell voted against the district taking over the special education program.
“I’ve lived with an IU teacher for 30 years – my wife. Every year they change what they’re doing. The laws are constantly changing. It’s not an issue of whether the kids will be taken care of better or worse, it’s the paperwork,” Russell said. “In the long run, I believe it’s going to cost us a lot more money.”
Russell said he is in favor of having armed security in the schools, though he said a study would be needed to determine whether one officer would be enough.
“We just had one in the past and it seemed to work out alright,” Russell said.
Russell said he wants to serve on the board to make the district better and improve the quality of life in the community.
“If you make your school a better place, your property values go up. People seem to forget that,” Russell said.
Moluski said he decided to run after being asked by several individuals to consider the office. Moluski is an operations manager for Milltech Analytical Services.
“I’d like to see the educational standards improve,” Moluski said. “I do have a daughter in the district, so I have a vested interest.”
Moluski said he was unfamiliar with the Booster Field and wellness center proposed projects.
“I really don’t know how they should be funded,” Moluski said. “I’m not sure why we would need Booster Field as long as we can use the college field with no problems.”
Moluski said special education is a big need in the district. The current board has voted to take over the special education programs currently run by the Intermediate Unit 1.
“I’m sure they’re looking at that because of the way they’re funding it now,” Moluski said.
Moluski also addressed the issue of school security.
“Security is a must in today’s society. I’d like to see some kind of camera system in both of the schools. Some sort of security officer would not be a bad idea at all. I don’t think they should be armed,” Moluski said.