Sinking Valley’s James B. Crawford is seeking re-election to the Tyrone Area School Board.
Crawford is on both the Democratic and Republican ballot in the May 17 primary.
“Ensuring that our young people are well-prepared to enter the workforce or move on to postsecondary education has always been my overriding goal as a school board member,” said Crawford. “We need to make sure our students have the skills that employers are seeking and further encourage them to start careers and raise families here in central Pennsylvania.”
Crawford noted he has more than two decades of experience as a board member and continues to have an avid interest in the school district and in maintaining an environment that helps students achieve.
Crawford currently serves as the TASB’s vice-president and is chairperson of the board’s regulatory activities committee.
“Our students’ PSSA test scores in reading and math are among the highest in our area and test scores also indicated that our young people are writing as well as students in the more affluent districts in the state,” said Crawford. “These results are largely attributable to our professional and dedicated staff.
“One of the most important responsibilities of the school board is to ensure we are meeting students’ needs while keeping our spending in check,” he said. “While we cannot offer every course or curriculum in our district, we must focus on those elements vital to providing a quality education and preparing our students for future careers.”
Crawford predicted No Child Left Behind and Act 72 (property tax reduction) will continue to challenge the school board to become more efficient and effective as members representing the tax-paying public.
“The upgrading of the school district’s physical plant (including the current middle school addition project) will ensure that we are prepared for growth following the completion of I-99 to State College,” said Crawford. “Hopefully, we will attract young families to the area with our quality educational system, technology system and low tax rates.”
In addition to his service on the board, Crawford also serves on the Tyrone Hospital Board of Directors and on the Board of Directors of the Altoona Blair County Development Corporation where he is a member of the property committee and chairperson of the agriculture committee.
Crawford is a life-long member of the Sinking Valley Presbyterian Church where he is an ordained Elder and serves as Clerk of Session.
