Win4Bellefonte Backs 5 Candidates for School Board

A community organization formed two years ago to support candidates for Bellefonte Area School Board has announced its endorsements for the five seats up for election in 2023.

Win4Bellefonte came together in 2021 in response to the board’s decisions to drop “Red” from the district’s “Red Raiders” nickname and to remove Native American imagery associated with it. All four of the group’s candidates that year — Democrats Andrea Royer and Jeffrey Steiner and Republicans Jack Bechdel II and Jon Guizar — won and the new-look board quickly moved to rescind those earlier actions.

In 2023, the organization is focused on addressing the district’s elementary school physical needs, addressing mainstream learning gaps at all levels, ensuring the availability of advanced technology for all students, enhancing the identification of special needs and gifted students, and ensuring athletic and non-athletic opportunities and clubs to support the education of the whole student, according to the Win4Bellefonte website.

Five seats on the board are up for election this year. They are currently held by Nate Campbell, Julie Fitzgerald, Marie Perini, Donna Smith and Kimberly Weaver.

Win4Bellefonte’s five candidates are:

• Kimberly Weaver, a current school board member serving her second term and a kindergarten teacher in a neighboring district. Weaver says she is running for another term because she believes in the Bellefonte Area School District, its students and the importance of public education. “There is no greater gift than to see a student succeed and know I may have played a small part in helping to pave the way,” she said in a statement.

• Jenn Barnhart, a Bellefonte parent who has been an active member of the parent teacher organization and a booster club board member. She works in Penn State’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations. “I sincerely believe that I can make a difference and give a voice to so many in our district with my ability to listen and speak up for what is right with formidable character,” she said.

• Darrell Sharp, a parent of three district students and mine superintendent at Graymont, where he has worked for 17 years. “I am passionate about joining the Bellefonte Area School Board of Directors because I believe in the small-town values that I see and feel throughout Bellefonte,” he said. “I want to ensure those values remain instilled in our school and contribute positively to the growth of our next generations.”

• Timothy Kessling, an employee at Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. since 2009 and a project manager there since 2020. He is the father of two current district students. He said he is running ““to be a voice for my children, a voice for our future and community and to work together to make a positive difference.”

• Patrick Buck, a process engineering manager and father of two children, one of whom is a current district student. He said he “would like to instill a focus on furthering the development of STEM initiatives in our district, as well as focusing on providing students with the experiences and skills necessary to be successful upon graduation, including life skills, preparation for college and opportunities to develop trade skills.”

“We are very pleased with this group of candidates,” Win4Bellefonte Chair Kathy Evey said. “They are capable, dedicated and determined.”

The municipal primary election is May 16. The first day for candidates to circulate and file nomination petitions is Feb. 14.