In the May primary election, Tyrone resident Ray Detwiler surprised some by earning a spot on both the Republican and Democratic ballots in the upcoming November election.
“I am running for school board because I want to see all children, not just my children, get the best possible education possible,” said Detwiler. “With the recent closing of businesses in our area, the work force is becoming more and more high tech and we need a more extensive education program to prepare today’s students for the future they face. I believe that the school should be doing a better job than they are now.”
Detwiler believes that the No Child Left Behind mandate from the government is a pressing issue, but he feels the most pressing issue facing the Tyrone School District today is the curriculum.
“I don’t feel the school is working in the best interest of the parents, students and community,” said Detwiler. “When the people have a problem, they should be able to approach their elected official and tell them their problem, They shouldn’t have to sit through and hear that if you don’t like the answer, then take it to court. The concerns of the parents should come first. The board needs to be more people oriented and concerned and need to communicate better with the public.”
With the recent progressive action concerning drugs in school, Detwiler believes that the school is on the right track.
“I believe that testing for extracurricular activities is a good thing,” said Detwiler. “Right now the policies that are in place is about all that can be done. We need to get or higher elected officials to make the drug laws more severe and make it a deterrent to trying drugs. The first offense is a slap on the wrist. Make the laws tougher so that kids are afraid to try because of a stiff penalty they could face. I also believe that the district should look into the testing as part of the physicals that athletes need to have before participating in a sport. That may be a way to trim the cost of the testing program.”
With the middle school expansion in the development stages, Detwiler is in favor of the school being constructed, but questions the timing.
“I wonder why it wasn’t done when there was construction of the elementary school and renovations at the high school,” said Detwiler. “This will disrupt classes for some time.
“I think we need more modern and up-to-date classrooms. I see the trend of the population drop continuing in Tyrone borough, but the outlying areas such as Warriors Mark and Sinking Valley continuing to grow. I can see 10 years down the road a place like Warriors Mark wanting its own school again.”
As a school board member, Detwiler plans to be open with the people who he represents.
“I am not a yes man,” said Detwiler. “I will not be bought and will not represent special interests. My job would be to represent the people and be the voice of the people. I believe that the board needs to communicate with the people better. The middle school project is an example. The first time it was mentioned to the public was when it was voted on. There was no meeting with the community to see whether the community wanted this project. My views haven’t changed since the primary. I hope the support that was there in May continues in November. If the people want change, I hope they give me a chance to bring change to the school district. If I am not successful, they can recall me if they aren’t satisfied.”
Detwiler will appear on the Republican and Democratic ballot in the November election.
