Dover ABC's PAC

Dear Dover Residents,

On behalf of Karen Miller, Rob McKinney, Craig Kindig, Allen Hogan and I, we say Thank You!

As your newly elected School Board Directors, we’re profoundly grateful for your trust and support. This role is not just a position, but a commitment to each student, teacher, administrator, and member of our community.

We recognize the weight of responsibility that comes with this role, particularly in upholding Pennsylvania's laws governing our school districts. We’re dedicated to ensuring that we not only meet, but exceed these standards, providing the best education and support for our students.

Together, let's embark on this journey to nurture a learning environment where every child can achieve their full potential. Let's build a future where our schools are not just places of learning, but communities of inspiration.

Our top priority is clear: managing and approving a budget that reflects our community’s needs and aspirations. A budget that supports our students, empowers our teachers, and strengthens our schools. Our aim is to develop policies that serve our community's best interests, supporting educational endeavors that lead to successful outcomes.

Our policies will be crafted with the goal of serving our community effectively, prioritizing educational excellence, and fostering an environment where every student can thrive.

We’re committed to working collaboratively with the current and newly elected directors, administrators, and stakeholders of the Dover School District. We are here to support our administrators in executing the policies set by this board, while also rigorously assessing their performance. It's crucial that we maintain a balance, allowing our educators and administrators the autonomy to innovate and implement, yet holding them accountable for results.

In our pursuit of excellence, we will be guided by transparency, collaboration, and a relentless focus on what is best for our students. We will listen, learn, and lead with a vision that embraces the future while respecting the rich history of our district.

Thank you for entrusting us with this vital role. We look forward to serving you and making our schools a beacon of excellence in education.

Sincerely,

David Conley

Congratulations to all five of the Dover ABC's Candidates. The newly elected Dover Area School Directors.

Only a few weeks left until the election (Tuesday, November 7, 2023). We have several hundred yard signs out throughout Dover already. Thanks to everyone already supporting us!

If you're interested in putting out a yard sign for us, please respond to this post or PM us and we'll make sure we get one to you.

Friendly Reminder

The Dover ABC candidates would love to hear from you.

• What are the primary concerns you have about the Dover School District?

• What things would you like to see change? What things would you like to see stay the same?

• What do you expect from a Dover Area School District Board of Directors member?

Please post your comments and concerns. We’ll do our best to respond to each of them in a timely manner.

During the primary campaign, we learned that passions run deep in the Dover School District. It’s understandable when our kids’ futures are at stake. Please try to keep comments respectful and civil. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we can try to be courteous with one another.

Exactly 9 weeks away from the general election on 11/7/23. Posted are the primary results. The Dover ABC candidates are highlighted in red.

As you can see, they did extremely well on the Republican ballot taking ALL FIVE Republican spots for the general election.

They also did very well on a VERY CLOSE Democratic ballot.

Karen Miller was the top vote-getter on both ballots and Rob McKinney placed third on the Democratic ballot.

Congratulations to the Dover ABC candidates. Their hard work paid off in the primary!

Now it's back to work for the Dover ABC's PAC and the candidates to solidify a victory for all five in November.

Stay tuned.

Don't forget to get out to the Polls and vote for the Dover ABC Candidates tomorrow!

Important Dates in PA!

Did you miss the School Board Candidate Forum? The entire session was recorded and available on the YouTube link below. Very informative!

School Board Candidate Forum All 2023 Dover School Board candidates have been invited to attend. This forum is a free event and open to the community.

https://omny.fm/shows/wsba-morning-news-podcast/candidate-david-conley-on-why-he-is-running-for-sc

Candidate David Conley on WSBA Morning News with Gary Sutton.

Candidate David Conley on why he is running for School Board at Dover Area SD - 5/8/23 - WSBA Morning News Podcast

Get to know more about Candidate for School Board, Allen Hogan in his own words below.

“When asked about my life experience as a candidate for the school board, I would proudly point out that I have continuously had children in the Dover Area School District since 2003, who now range in age from 11 to 24 years old. As a parent, I understand the importance of taking responsibility for my children's academic success and involvement in extracurricular activities. Over the years, my children have participated in a wide range of activities, including Envirothon, spelling bees, World Academics, Math Counts, Physics Olympics, Renaissance, Select Ensemble, DECA Nationals, NHS, Fitness Challenge, marching band, chorus, school musicals, soccer, track & field, cross country, and swimming.

My wife, a Dover graduate with a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, has over 15 years’ experience in education, teaching students from preschool through college seniors. As her spouse, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand the challenges and rewards that come with being an educator.

Early on, I involved my children in various Dover youth sports programs, and I am a strong advocate for extracurricular school programs, including school sports and music. These activities promote well-rounded students who can work effectively in a team environment. Currently, I volunteer as a high school track & field coach and emphasize positive and encouraging communication with my student athletes. I am also passionate about fairness and equality in girls' sports and will advocate for the integrity and safety of these programs if elected to the board. I am proud to say that all three of my daughters have qualified for the PA High School State Cross Country Championship.

In addition to my experience as a parent and coach, I have held various leadership roles, serving as President of two groups, a non-profit inner-city ministry, and a local York technology users' group. I also volunteered my time to serve on the York Sports Night Board of Directors. Professionally, I hold a bachelor's degree in computer science and have worked as a professional software developer for over 30 years. As the founder of a York-based technology startup, I also have exposure to small business challenges on a limited budget.

What sets me apart as a candidate for the Dover School Board is my unique combination of experience as a parent, coach, business professional, and entrepreneur. In every role, I have learned the value of clear and transparent communication and proactive problem-solving. I believe that I can bring this value and wisdom to the Dover Area School District Board of Directors.”

Get to know more about Candidate for School Board, Karen Miller in her own words below.

“I was an elementary school teacher for 35 years. I loved my time as a teacher, and I have seen firsthand the impact that dedicated educators can have on their students. I am saddened to see many teachers, both new and veteran, leaving the profession, and I believe that it is essential to support our educators if we want to provide the best education for our students.

Several months ago, I was approached to run for School Board Director. After meeting with Dave Conley, Craig Kindig, Allen Hogan, and Rob McKinney, I was honored to be asked to join their team. Our group is well rounded with, businessmen, an IT specialist, an accountant, and a teacher. We share a dedication to the education of students in the Dover Area School District, and I believe that our combined skills and knowledge can help make our schools a source of pride for parents, teachers, and students alike. I feel God has brought us together to make parents, teachers, and students proud of their school district.

As a School Board Director, I am committed to understanding the current budget of our district. I’ll work tirelessly to develop a fiscally responsible budget that meets the needs of our students and teachers. I believe that it is crucial for School Board members to meet with each building’s administration to better understand their wants and needs and to ensure that our curriculum is rigorous and effective.

We should rely less on technology to teach our students, especially in elementary classrooms. Basic math facts should be memorized, and I believe that math problems should be solved without the use of calculators or smartphones to ensure a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. Our children's brains need exercise! I also believe that it is essential to teach our children about our country's history to develop a love of America in our young people.

Finally, I want to ensure that our teachers and staff feel supported by the School Board. By guaranteeing that administrators will enforce school rules, we can create an environment where our educators feel respected and empowered to teach. When our teachers and staff feel valued and appreciated, they can help our students become confident and knowledgeable learners.

In summary, I am running for School Board Director because I believe that we need dedicated leaders who understand the needs of our students and teachers. I am committed to developing a fiscally responsible budget, improving our curriculum, and supporting our educators. By working together, we can create a school district that we can all be proud of.”

Did you know that the current Board of Directors uses a consent agenda? We think that’s lazy governance!

The use of consent agendas, which bundle seemingly routine or non-controversial items for approval in a single vote, can be seen as a form of lazy governance. While it may save time and effort, it can also undermine transparency, accountability, and public participation in decision-making.

By grouping unrelated items together, consent agendas can obscure the details and significance of each item. This can lead to important issues being overlooked or neglected, as well as a lack of understanding by both policymakers and the public about the implications of the decisions being made.

Furthermore, the use of consent agendas can give the impression that policymakers are not taking their duties seriously, as they may not be fully engaged in the decision-making process. This can erode public trust in government and undermine the legitimacy of the decisions made.

Ultimately, while the use of consent agendas may be convenient, it should not be used as a substitute for thoughtful and transparent decision-making processes that actively engage stakeholders and ensure accountability. Policymakers should take their responsibilities seriously and carefully consider each item on the agenda, even if it takes more time and effort to do so.

Get to know more about Candidate for School Board, Rob McKinney in his own words below.

“I'm running for the Dover Area School District Board of Directors (School Board) for several reasons.

First – as a parent, I'm concerned about the curriculum being presented to our children. Without access to a detailed curriculum, we're often surprised by what's being taught. The curriculum is frequently beyond our teachers' control and doesn't align with the values of our community in Dover. We need a transparent school-level curriculum that allows teachers to flourish in helping Dover's students acquire the knowledge and skills they need to succeed while representing our community's values, not those of Harrisburg or Washington.

Second – I'm stepping forward as a taxpayer. Year after year, budgets are passed without thorough board examination or involvement. We see spending increasing and our property tax burden rising, yet academic performance is falling further behind. Our goal should not be to match our neighboring school districts in spending and taxation, but to be responsible stewards of OUR community's funds. Let's do what's right for our community, our taxpayers, and our students.

Third – I’m running simply because we'll never be able to create any change in our schools without parents and residents stepping up. I've spoken at many school board meetings and have been ignored and dismissed every time, just like others. We must be an example to our children that change, progress, and success never come without hard work and sacrifice. I've spent my adult life teaching children, not in a classroom but on baseball fields and in Scouts, imparting lessons of hard work and passing on knowledge. Freedom can be lost in a single generation, so we must train the next generation not only to appreciate it but also to defend it.

Professionally, I've been an accountant for over two decades. I started with a construction and property management company in Maryland out of college and returned to Pennsylvania for a job with a public library system for 20 years. There, I learned how government educational funding works, along with ways to fund a non-profit responsibly with tax dollars. I've always searched for unique ways to save money and maximize funds, and I'll do the same as a School Director for Dover if you elect me. In recent years, I've returned to property accounting, where every cent counts because it must be earned, not funded by a Governor's budget.

I believe I have the ethics, background, and experience to make a genuine difference as a School Director.”

Get to know more about Candidate for School Board, Craig Kindig in his own words below.

"As a candidate, I bring a wealth of life experience. My wife and I raised two children who both attended and graduated from Dover, one as a CPA and the other as a Pastor. Additionally, my oldest grandson attended and graduated from Dover, and he will be graduating from college this year with a degree in Political Science.

Early in my career, I earned my Journeyman Boilermaker papers in manufacturing, which gave me an appreciation for the value of working with one's hands. Later, at the age of 37, I began attending night school to earn a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Through these experiences, I have come to understand the importance of quality education, not only for young people but also for adults seeking to improve their skills.

Throughout my life, I have dealt with budgets and limited resources. I served as the church treasurer for over 30 years, where I was responsible for chairing the budget committee. Additionally, as the Manager of Maintenance and Facilities during my employment, I oversaw a large budget for equipment and facility maintenance. In both positions, I was required to make tough decisions to live within our budget. As a result, I have a deep understanding of fiscal responsibility and being accountable for every dollar spent.

During my employment, I was also involved in Union leadership. I handled grievances, arbitrations, and helped negotiate three contracts. Later, as the Labor/Employee Relations representative in the Human Resource department, I led the negotiation team for the last contract. Through these experiences, I gained an appreciation for the role of unions and how to work with them effectively.

As a final point, I believe that we need to allow teachers to do what they do best: teach. They were trained to teach specific subjects and should be given the freedom to do so, without being bogged down by outside responsibilities. Our schools are in the business of educating, and we should get back to the basics to ensure that our students receive the best education possible."

Want to make your yard look better this spring? Contact us for a Dover ABC's for Schoolboard sign!

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign!

Important Dates in PA!

Is an 88 percent graduation rate (1) good enough for our Dover students? Is a 4.5 percent drop out rate (2) good enough for our Dover students?

We don’t think so!

We need to do better for our kids. Please vote for the Dover ABC’s on May 16th at the primaries.

1. PA department of Education data 2020-21
2. PA department of Education data 2019-20

Avoid the dangers of a FIXED MINDSET by recognizing that talents and abilities CAN improve with time, persistence and effort.

Those with a fixed mindset may fall into traps such as wanting to:
• appear smart
• avoid challenges
• give up easily
• disdain effort
• fear feedback
• resent others.

Unfortunately, many school directors in the Dover Area School District are stuck in a fixed mindset, as evidenced by:
• their inadequate preparation for meetings
• voting on unread policies
• fear of feedback.

They are also unwilling to admit that significant changes and improvements are necessary for our struggling school district.

We cannot settle for this for our children. The Dover ABC’s candidates have a different belief system. They have a strategy and are ready to face these challenges head-on, to make Dover one of the most outstanding schools in York County.

Please join us in supporting Dover ABC’s for a growth mindset and positive change!

Vote for Dover ABC’s candidates for The Board of School Directors of Dover Area School District who embody the benefits of a GROWTH MINDSET.

People with growth mindsets:
• desire to learn
• love challenges
• keep trying
• embrace effort
• encourage feedback
• are inspired by others.

Our candidates meet multiple times a week to:
• prepare for what they’ll do differently
• read current and proposed board policies
• ask for feedback and learning opportunities
• deeply understand the challenges our school district faces.

They are passionate and dedicated to improving our schools, and we need their grit and fortitude to fight for what our kids deserve. Please vote for Dover ABC’s candidates for positive change!

What a beautiful night to come out and support the Dover ABC candidates. We'd like to thank York County, PA, President Commissioner Julie Wheeler, State Representative Dawn Keefer, and Former State Representative Andrew Lewis for speaking at the event and for supporting our candidates.

Most of all, we'd like to thank our five candidates, Karen Miller, Craig Kindig, David Conley, Allen Hogan, and Rob McKinney for their willingness to fight for our students, parents and teachers so we can improve the Dover School District!