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Former Borough Council member announces SCASD board campaign

State College - State College Area School District
Evgenia Kopanos


STATE COLLEGE — Retired Penn State professor Jesse Barlow announced he will be running for the State College Area School District Board of Directors.
Barlow hails from Lawrence, Kansas. He discussed in his announcement of candidacy that he feels like the town in which he received an elementary education and college education compares greatly to State College.
Barlow also has had two children who have been through the SCASD education system. His daughter graduated from Delta program and his son graduated from State College Area High.
“My two children benefitted from what SCASD schools had to offer,” Barlow said in his announcement of candidacy.
From 2016 to 2023 Barlow was on State College Borough Council, serving as council president from 2020 to 2023. He also chaired the Centre Region Council of Governments in 2023.
For Barlow, returning to local government is an opportunity to help SCASD serve everyone in the community better.
“They are not always good for every family. In this school system full of children with diverse backgrounds and diverse needs, I believe we must strive for schools where every child has a good education in a welcoming environment,” Barlow said.
Barlow noted he also decided to run to help prepare students for a range of opportunities after graduation, not just higher education.
“Whatever their social backgrounds, that education should prepare them whether their future is trade school, the work force or a university,” Barlow said.