I am a proud US Air Force Veteran and have leveraged my military experience into a successful career in Healthcare Information Technology. Beyond my professional achievements, I am deeply committed to community service and have served/volunteered on several local nonprofit boards bringing strategic insight and passion to causes that make a difference to our community. I also served as the Executive Director for the local humane society. My combined experiences bring a strong sense of duty, technical expertise, and a heart for service which have led to a lasting impact in both my professional and volunteer roles.
The 228 Times: Why are you running?
Jennifer DiCuccio: I am currently wrapping up my fourth year of a four-year term. I decided to run for my first term because I am passionate about our school district and I felt that the values and experience I possess, along with the strong desire to serve my community would be beneficial. I still carry those same sentiments into this election.
I am proud of the accomplishments over the last four years. We have been able to kick off the planning phases of expanding the elementary buildings to accommodate growth in the district, hired an exceptional principal at the primary center, replaced and expanded the tennis courts, hired many new teachers to accommodate the growth in the district, increased starting wages for all support staff, etc. If elected for the two-year term, I hope to continue what was started four years ago.
The 228 Times: What’s your view on growth and development and its impact on the school district?
Jennifer DiCuccio: Growth and development affect many things in a growing public school like ours. To name a few, enrollment and class sizes, strain on existing facilities, the need to expand infrastructure, operational impacts to the budget, taking on more debt, etc. It would be great to see more businesses come to our district as well as over 55 communities to help offset the burden to taxpayers, however the school isn’t involved in those decisions.
The 228 Times: How do you see the role of the school board in community engagement?
Jennifer DiCuccio: As a school board member, I see myself as a bridge between the community and the district however it is important to note that the school board does not run the school. That is why we pay a Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent. We hold public meetings which allow for taxpayers, parents, etc. to engage with the school board directly and community members, parents, and taxpayers can email the school board with any concerns.
The 228 Times: What are your top two priorities if elected?
Jennifer DiCuccio: Priorities can shift very quickly; however, I will continue to focus on what I have focused on the last four years including but not limited to monitoring and planning for future growth while maintaining and updating current infrastructure within the confines of the existing funding/budget constraints and work towards a new contract with MAEA. Over the next 5-10 years I believe we will be faced with replacing/updating several turf fields, bleachers, etc. I think it’s important for Administration and the board to plan for these updates/replacements and have a game plan for what that looks like. This will be beyond my two-year term but I will continue to keep it on the radar.
The 228 Times: How should the district balance academics, extracurriculars, and finances?
Jennifer DiCuccio: In a growing district like ours, it is important to prioritize and plan for needs. Finding alternative sources of funding such as donations, grant funding, meeting with local elected leaders on current state funding, private partnerships, etc. to help offset the burden on the taxpayer are important but at the end of the day, tough decisions will always have to be made in this position.
The 228 Times: What are your thoughts on the financial impact of cyber and charter schools on the district, and how should the school board respond?
Jennifer DiCuccio: Our administration has already met with local elected leaders to express concern of the financial impact cyber and charter schools have had and continue to have on the district. I expect these discussions to continue.