York Suburban School District: Who are the 8 candidates vying for four seats on the board?
Four candidates are running together as part of Citizens for York Suburban School District, which vows to maintain the district's rigorous academic program, safeguard property values and ensure every child is represented, respected and valued, according to their website. The candidates are Danny Amon, Jim Polanzke, incumbent Ashley Turner and Steve Whiteley.
Four candidates are running under the movement of Teachers Not Buildings, which has the goal of ensuring the best possible education for students without losing sight of fiscal responsibility, according to their website. The candidates are Michael Park, Andrew Ruth, Chris Sanders and incumbent James Sanders.
All of the candidates have cross-filed for the four-year seats.
The district has plans to renovate its high school and construct a new intermediate school, which has sparked a debate among residents about the cost, the impact to property taxes and the future of education in the district.
Here are the candidates:
Danny Amon, who is a personal training and fitness center manager at the York Jewish Community Center, has a daughter who soon will be entering the public school system, according to the website. He believes "good health is the foundation for effective learning and that schools play a crucial role in shaping lifelong health habits."
"I think public health is one of our biggest issues we're currently facing," he said in a video, adding that children spend most of their time in school. "If we give them the best quality information, and the best quality exercise, the best quality start, they're going to have lives of good health."
Jim Polanzke, a Lutheran pastor with decades of experience teaching youth and adults, has a daughter who graduated from York Suburban, according to the website.
In a video, Polanzke said he's running for two reasons. He wants students to be prepared for their future, whether its military service, college or apprenticeships, and "York Suburban does an excellent job of doing that." He also wants to make sure that the needs of the community — not just the students and faculty — are heard.
"We may not be able to make everyone happy — that's not possible — but to make everyone heard is something that I'm going to strive for as a school board member," he said.
Michael Park, a 1988 graduate of Dallastown Area High School, is the owner of Wisehaven Event Center that he founded in 2012.
In the past, Park has worked for various employers, including as a systems analyst for IBM, a capital asset manager for the Greater Baltimore Medical Center and an operations manager for Canton Ornamental Iron Works, according to the website.
"Michael's varied background in these management assignments, for both large corporations and small businesses, has provided him with the perfect foundation for managing people and organizations," the website states.
Park and his business have been sponsors of the York Suburban minithon and of the Indian Rock PTO.
Andrew Ruth, a 2002 graduate of York Suburban, is a talent acquisition senior advisor for a government integrator. In his previous job, as a PGA Class A professional, he gained experience in leadership, operations, budgeting, and instruction.
He and his wife, also a graduate of the district, lived across the country before returning to the area and it strengthened their appreciation for the quality education they received, the website states. The couple have two children who currently attend school in York Suburban.
"He is committed to living a disciplined and healthy lifestyle, driven by a desire to be a positive role model for his family and his community," the website states.
Chris Sanders, a retired small business owner, has three children who graduated from the district, and two of her grandchildren currently attend York Suburban.
"The reason I'm running for school director is there is nothing better than to give a child when they walk in their first day of school the ... absolutely best education possible," she said in a video. "This is so important to the kids but also to the families."
Sanders brings "practical leadership, financial responsibility, and real-world problem-solving skills to the table," according to the website.
"She believes in the importance of education, empathy, and community — and she's ready to serve York Suburban with that same spirit," the website states.
James Sanders, a 1993 graduate of York Suburban, is a managing partner at MPL Law Firm, where he helps clients navigate complex legal and business challenges.
He previously worked as an equity analyst with firms like Standard & Poor's and Citigroup, a senior strategist with ITT Corporation. He also previously owned and led several Safeguard franchises, according to the website.
Sanders currently is serving a second term as school director. He has a son who graduated from the district and two sons who are attending York Suburban.
"James is passionate about community service and believes strongly in giving back to the district that helped shape who he is today," the website states.
Ashley Turner, who was elected in 2023 to fill a two-year vacancy, is a K-12 education systems engineer who works with technology and curriculum departments in school districts in Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C. to ensure that technology is enhancing students' education, according to the website.
In a video, Turner said she moved into the York Suburban School District for her two children, and she sees how they as well as their peers are benefitting from the education they are receiving.
"I want to continue being on the board so that I can be part of those conversations and make sure that we continue the excellence we have in our district," she said.
Steve Whiteley is a retired York Suburban teacher who taught earth science, environmental science, oceanography, and astronomy in the high school. He has two children who graduated from the district.
York Suburban has been a leader in the community because of its commitment to focusing on the students, whether it be hiring the highest-quality teaching staff, providing the best services or offering the finest materials, he said in a video.
Whiteley said he can help to support the district's mission to "Inspire a Bold Future," according to the website.
"I plan to advocate for students and support teachers and staff, while being sensitive to the current financial challenges," he wrote.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: York Suburban School District: 8 candidates vying for 4 seats in 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
7 hours ago
- New York Post
Zohran Mamdani ripped for using ‘Zionist' as punchline — as critics warn NYC mayoral race is at ‘code red situation'
Israel-bashing Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is catching flak again — for once using 'Zionist' as the punchline to an insulting joke, critics claim. Jewish New Yorkers were outraged over the recently resurfaced video of the mayoral race frontrunner speaking before the Democratic Socialists of America in 2023. 'If you don't clap for El-Yateem,' Mamdani said, 'You're a Zionist!' 3 A newly resurfaced video shows Zohran Mamdani calling someone a 'Zionist' as a punchline to an insulting joke. YouTube/Democratic Socialists of America He was referring to Lutheran pastor and Palestinian community organizer Khader El-Yateem, who ran unsuccessfully for a Brooklyn City Council seat in 2017. Mamdani, the 33-year-old Queens assemblyman, then said, 'It's a joke, you don't have to clap.' But Israel supporters weren't laughing. 'The turning of 'Zionist' into a slur in mainstream western liberal spaces is the most significant antisemitic development of the 21st century,' said podcaster Blake Flayton, who posted the video on X. 'This man is about to be mayor of New York,' said Flayton, host of 'We Should All Be Zionists,' of the Democratic nominee. 'I don't think people yet understand how much of a code red situation this is. The severity of the moment,' he added. 3 The Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City was seen speaking at an event for the Democratic Socialists of America in 2023 when he made the insensitive remark. Instagram/@zohrankmamdani Others defended Mamdani, noting he clearly said he was joking. But Flayton was having none of it. 'It's not funny — racist/antisemitic jokes are not funny,' he posted. Todd Richman, co-founder of Democratic Majority for Israel, responded, 'Disgusting.' Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! 'Enough of the 'l'll protect the Jewish community.' I'm sorry but I don't believe him,' Richman continued. 'He has been perpetuating an anti-Zionist and therefore anti Jewish agenda since college. Now all of a sudden he is going to change?' Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis, said to add Mamdani's 'You're a Zionist' quip to the pile of comments and positions that the City Hall hopeful will have to explain, particularly to the Jewish community. 'He has to address comments he has made in the past that are controversial — and in some cases offensive,' Potasnik told The Post Tuesday. 3 Mamdani was referring to Khader El-Yateem, a Lutheran pastor and Palestinian community organizer, when making the joke, as he told the audience, 'It's a joke, you don't have to clap.' Facebook/Khader El-Yateem New York City has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, most of whom are pro-Israel or Zionists, said Potasnik, adding of Mamdani: 'We're going to hold him accountable.' Former Queens Councilman Rory Lancman also highlighted Mamdani's history of anti-Israel statements and positions. 'Deploying 'Zionist' as an epithet comes naturally to someone like Mr. Mamdani who fundamentally, and unabashedly, opposes the right of the Jewish people — and only the Jewish people — to self-determination, freedom, and safety in their ancestral homeland, and demands of every Jew that they renounce this central aspect of their Jewish identity as the price for social and political acceptance into civil society,' said Lancman. 'Mamdani believes deeply that every Jew must bend the knee.' During his 2023 speech, Mamdani praised the DSA for backing the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel. 'We mean what we say when we say we have a socialist politic. It is consistent, it is universal, and it stands for justice in every place with no exception,' he said. The Anti-Defamation League calls the BDS movement antisemitic for seeking to undermine the world's only Jewish state. Mamdani is a supporter of the boycott movement against Israel, even leading a pro-Palestinian rally chanting 'BDS!' and criticizing other elected officials for visiting the Jewish state. The DSA was an an early endorser of Mamdani for mayor and the backbone of his successful Democratic primary campaign. The candidate has been on a charm offensive since defeating ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other Dem hopefuls in the primary last month. He has been seeking to expand his base of support for the November general election, meeting with business bigwigs, party leaders and Jewish officials. His campaign declined to comment on the 'You're a Zionist' line. Mamdani has come under fire for refusing to condemn the phrase 'globalize the intifada.' After meeting with Jewish elected officials, he said he now discourages people from using the rallying call. Mamdani also previously faced criticism for appearing to defend al Qaeda fiend Anwar al-Awlaki — and blaming America for turning the prostitution-loving cleric into a terrorist in 2015 tweets.
New York Post
10-07-2025
- New York Post
Microschools are on the rise — as parents seek alternatives to public education
Microschooling institutions are growing in Indiana and are projected to expand within the state because parents are 'upset' with the public school options in their school district, Gov. Mike Braun told Fox News Digital. 'I see it happening because while I'm here, we're going to make sure parents are in the driver's seat of their own kids' education,' Braun said. Braun held a signing ceremony on Tuesday, celebrating education bills that boosted teacher pay and bolstered universal school choice in his state. 'Those are the parents most upset with the current offerings you got out there, but they may not want to do it themselves,' Braun added. An Indiana official sent Fox News Digital a report showing that there are an estimated 140 micro-schools in Indiana. Microschooling is a hybrid of homeschooling and the traditional school model that could be privately run or held at public institutions. The Indiana Microschool Collaborative describes microschools as 'a small learning space in your local community where each student has a personalized learning plan built around their needs, interests, and goals.' 4 An Indiana official sent Fox News Digital a report showing that there are an estimated 140 micro-schools in Indiana. An example of this is Purdue Polytechnic High School Lab School — a private school in Indianapolis, which has about 20 students in either ninth or 10th grade, offering customized education. The Lab's classes are conducted in a Lutheran church in Indianapolis. 'The Lab School opened in the fall of 2023 with a model that school leaders describe as part one-room schoolhouse, part all-day advisory period,' ChalkBeat Indiana reported. Nature Gifts Microschool, based in Indiana, will operate as a public charter school accepting students on a first-come, first-served basis. 4 Microschooling is a hybrid of homeschooling and the traditional school model that could be privately run or held at public institutions. Getty Images Charter schools are taxpayer-funded like public schools, yet independently run, allowing for innovation and new education models. Since Nature Gifts is a charter school, the taxpayer dollars will go directly to the students in microschools because of their administration model and smaller class sizes. Braun added that Indiana has been at the forefront of providing parents variety, options and competition in the education marketplace. 'Microschools, to me, are just an innovation that says, 'Hey, I'm not happy with that public school system. Don't maybe like that charter option. We're going to put our own microschool together,'' Braun said. 4 Nature Gifts Microschool, based in Indiana, will operate as a public charter school accepting students on a first-come, first-served basis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Rural families have been taking advantage of microschools since they have limited options. There has been an uptick in parents choosing to homeschool their children since the coronavirus pandemic, indicating a growing trend of parents overlooking public schools. While microschools are not a new concept, they operate similarly to homeschooling. Microschools are not only growing in Indiana, but also across the country. Some reporting shows an uptick in parents choosing this form of schooling since 2024. 4 Charter schools are taxpayer-funded like public schools, yet independently run, allowing for innovation and new education models. GovernorBraun/Facebook An Indiana official sent Fox News Digital an additional report showing that Indiana has the third-most microschools, behind Arizona and Florida. Corey DeAngelis of the American Culture Project told Fox News Digital that the growth of microschools is emblematic of a growing trend of states giving parents more options outside their neighborhood public school and parents being fed up with the traditional public school setting. 'When the government schools closed their doors and left families hanging, families tried to figure out homeschooling, and one way that they were able to economize on the process of homeschooling, was that they had to get five to ten children together in a household,' DeAngelis said.
Boston Globe
18-06-2025
- Boston Globe
Minnesota shooting suspect went from youthful evangelizer to far-right zealot
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Friends and neighbors of the 57-year-old say they are struggling to understand what drove him to allegedly masquerade as a police officer and shoot two state legislators and their spouses in the predawn hours of Saturday - leaving state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband dead and the other couple seriously injured. Some point to his teenage conversion and the startling change that followed, one that became very public in Sleepy Eye, a burg of about 3,500 about two hours southwest of Minneapolis. Advertisement Through much of high school, Boelter was like every other teen, according to lifelong friend David Carlson. But after Boelter declared himself a born-again Christian, he began preaching in the local park - even living there in a tent, Carlson said. Advertisement 'Everything in his life - he just changed,' Carlson said Sunday. 'People were saying, 'Yeah, Vance is in the park preaching.' He was just trying to spread the word about Jesus.' Boelter grew up one of five siblings in a family that was locally famous for baseball - his father, Donald, was the high school coach and later selected for the Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. They lived in a turreted, two-story house on a corner lot in a neighborhood where American flags fly from porches and flagpoles. In his senior year, Boelter was named 'Most Courteous' and 'Most Friendly,' according to images from his high school yearbook shared by a former classmate. It listed him as captain of the basketball team and a member of the baseball team, football team and chorus. 'Vance was a normal kid who came from a middle-class background,' said Wendel Lamason, who was friends with Boelter until Lamason moved to another town for eighth grade. The family was part of mainstream Lutheran churches, some more center-right, some more center-left, and the elder Boelter was active in church leadership. Ron Freimark, who pastored a different Lutheran congregation in Sleepy Eye, remembers the boy participating in church youth groups. 'He wasn't rebellious. He was polite and all that,' Freimark said Monday afternoon. 'He was just a good kid.' According to his LinkedIn profile, Boelter went on to attend St. Cloud State University and graduated with a degree in international relations. On a now-defunct website for Revoformation, a nonprofit he founded several years later, Boelter laid out a basic biography and said he had been 'ordained' in 1993. He said he had gone to a small Catholic college near Milwaukee - Cardinal Stritch, which is now closed - as well as Christ for the Nations Institute, a Dallas school that is part of the broad, nondenominational world of charismatic Christianity. Advertisement And, the bio claimed, he had made trips overseas to seek out 'militant Islamists' to 'tell them violence wasn't the answer.' Christ for the Nations was founded in 1970 by Gordon Lindsay, a prominent preacher in independent, charismatic Christianity. The focus of the movement initially was on evangelizing, faith healing and experiential worship such as speaking in tongues. In the last quarter-century, however, a segment of it turned to politics and changing policies, especially around abortion. A Lindsay quote long posted in the school's lobby reads: 'Everyone ought to pray at least one violent prayer each day.' The exhortation, the school said Monday, described prayer that should be 'intense, fervent and passionate.' In a statement, it confirmed Boelter had graduated in 1990 with a degree in practical theology in leadership and pastoral and said it was 'aghast and horrified' at the news that the alum was a suspect in the weekend shootings. 'This is not who we are,' the statement said. 'We have been training Christian servant leaders for 55 years and they have been agents of good, not evil.' Based on his recent online presence, Boelter's views now appear to align with the political 'far right' of Christianity in the United States, said Matthew Taylor, a senior Christian scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies. The followers of this kind of charismatic Christianity believe in a need 'to fight back' against demons and satanic evil in the world, Taylor said. Its core disseminates 'very extreme' rhetoric about abortion, he added, with some leaders portraying it as a form of child sacrifice that empowers demons. Advertisement Boelter 'seems very much to embrace some of the violent rhetoric and ideas that circulate through those spaces,' Taylor said. Indeed, in another sermon posted online, Boelter said God was sending people to America for a specific purpose. 'They don't know abortion is wrong, many churches,' he said. 'When the body starts moving in the wrong direction … God will raise an apostle or prophet to correct their course.' In and around Minneapolis, Boelter spent most of his career in the food industry while, as Carlson put it, dreaming of launching a security business. A former neighbor in Sleepy Eye said Boelter, his wife and their children - four girls and a boy - moved back there around 2008 when he took a job as a production coordinator for the local Del Monte plant. The family bought a three-bedroom fixer-upper on Maple Street and spent their time at the public pool or hosting Bible studies, said the neighbor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of safety concerns. Boelter's wife, Jenny, was a stay-at-home mom who always had a smile on her face and brought apple pies over around the holidays, the neighbor said. 'They were friendly, almost too friendly,' he said. 'It was almost like there was never anything wrong.' Flags for the fallen lawmakers were at half-staff Monday in Sleepy Eye, a town named for a famous Native American Dakota chief from the 1800s. The business stretch of Main Street goes about five blocks, with several historical buildings and a repurposed movie theater marquee promoting a coffee shop and brewing company. Drive just a bit farther and the flat Midwestern landscape is dotted with farms and silver grain bins. Advertisement
