School board President Michael Neiffer, right, administers the oath of office Tuesday to new Pottsgrove director David Faulkner.
POTTSTOWN PA – David Faulkner, a Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township resident for 19 years, took his oath of office Tuesday night (May 11, 2010) and became the newest member of the Pottsgrove School District Board of School Directors.
He will fill the unexpired term of Robert Lindgren, who officially resigned almost two weeks ago to serve with U.S. armed forces in Afghanistan. Board members were unanimous in their support for Faulkner, who competed for the vacancy against former director and board president Darryl Hendershot.
A third potential candidate, Edward Cox, indicated his interest in the board position in a letter that President Michael Neiffer said was received Tuesday night by board members, but was not actively considered.
Faulkner is finance manager for Bentley Systems Inc., an Exton PA-based international manufacturer of design software used by engineers, architects and contractors.
He has two sons who attend Pottsgrove High and Middle schools. He serves as a committee member of a local Boy Scout troop, and has coached both district soccer travel teams, and basketball for 3rd through 6th graders during almost a decade with the Lower Pottsgrove Athletic Association. He also plays tenor saxophone and is a member of the Pottsgrove Community Band.
“This will definitely be a new and challenging opportunity,” Faulkner said following his first meeting as a director. “We’re going to see a number of changes in schools in the next couple of years that we haven’t seen in the past,” he added, particularly noting the rising costs of district operations and diminished state funding. “Whatever happens, I’m here to try and help.”
Faulkner’s appointment was not without its drama.
Minutes before their vote board members heard from Hendershot, who contended he was the candidate with experience in budgeting, school building construction and contract negotiations best qualified to fill the position. Although he commended Faulkner for “stepping up,” Hendershot suggested Faulkner “wait to be elected to deal with what the board will be facing.”
Then, just minutes after Faulkner took his seat, directors heard from dozens of students and parents who were clearly unhappy with an administrative decision to save money by eliminating the jobs of two teachers.
Related (to the Pottsgrove Board of School Directors’ May 11 meeting):
- Faulkner Named Newest Pottsgrove School Director
- Covering The Pottsgrove School Board Via Twitter
- Will ‘First In’ Guide Choice Of New School Director?
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