Incumbents Jason KOCH, Jeremiah LIGHT, and Erin ENGEL are bad for KASD schools

They ran on a platform of not raising taxes, then they voted for a 3.5% (06/24/2024) and then a 4% increase (05/21/2025).

These candidates lie to Kutztown Area residents. They are fully aware of the financial issues of the Kutztown Area School District. The tax increases were necessary - yet they continue to campaign on lies, claiming they won’t vote to raise taxes.

Any candidate that is aware of the situation in the district, but still campaigns on no tax increases is deliberately trying to fool their constituents. Is that the kind of person you want in charge of our public schools? No way!

They voted to eliminate a full-time social work position that would cost the district $0 (07/15/2024).

On July 15, 2024, Koch, Light, Udicious, Hoffman, and Wismer voted NO to approve an agreement with Communities in Schools (CIS) to provide Integrated Student Supports (a full-time social worker) at Kutztown Area Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year. After the postcards were sent out, we realized that Engel was absent, but she nearly always votes with the other yellow signers as a block and she had voted against CIS approval the prior summer (August 21, 2023). The discussion around this can be watched HERE starting at 2:01:30. You will hear that this group is politically motivated and is against anything that even remotely refers to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Despite data showing that there were no complaints or problems with the arrangement with CIS, they still voted NO. There was public outcry and a disservice done to the students who knew and loved the social worker that was let go. The human cost was great.

After grants secured by Communities In Schools and a donation from Kutztown Strong, the cost to the district would have been $0. On the night of the July 15 meeting, the district had no idea that money would come just one week later to allow them to hire (at full cost) a different social worker. So, when they talk about how people are crying over nothing, they are deflecting the truth. They DID fail to renew the contract of a beloved social worker because of politics. They DID NOT KNOW that they would be able to hire a different social worker at the time and they voted NO anyway.  

They voted to limit access to a library book in an act of censorship (05/16/2022).

Early in 2022, community members brought up concerns about a book in the school library online catalog. As per policy, a committee was formed to review the book. The committee members read the book and meetings were held. In the end, the committee did not feel that the book was a concern and voted unanimously to keep it in the library. Despite this, the decision was appealed to the board on May 16, 2022 by one member of the committee. Thus, the board voted on and passed a provision requiring parental consent for students to access the book Gender Queer in the high school library. In other words, to check out the book, a signed permission slip is now required. This is a form of CENSORSHIP in the form of a book ban. PEN America defines (and we agree) a school book ban is any action taken against a book based on its content and as a result of parent or community challenges, administrative decisions, or in response to direct or threatened action by lawmakers or other governmental officials, that leads to a book being either completely removed from availability to students, or where access to a book is restricted or diminished. These candidates are in favor of censorship!

Add in Steve Morris, 2025 hopeful and, as a group:

Their 2021 campaign was largely paid for by outside money, not supporters from our community.

During the 2021 election season, the KASD Children First PAC accepted a $10,000 and a $5,000 donation from outside influencer Paul Martino. The rich man poured money into school board races like ours, claiming he simply wanted to keep schools open. However, his far-right views have influenced our school board ever since. 

They align with right wing extremists, resorting to name calling, lies, and political propaganda.

Just check out their website or mailers and you will see clearly that the propaganda runs rampant. 

In meetings, when there is opposition to the yellow sign agenda, public comment is sometimes met with hostility or simply ignored. Board members with other points of view are interrupted or talked over. This behavior undermines free speech and is unbecoming of the elected members of a school board. The yellow sign candidates currently have a 6-3 super majority. We need a more balanced board of directors to represent our community.

Keep MAGA out of our schools. DO NOT vote for Koch, Light, Engel or Morris on Nov 4.