Local News
MILFORD Pa. — Recent Delaware Valley graduate Ryan Balton announced last week his intent to fill the vacancy on the DV School Board.
"I believe I am the person who can bring the most needed and unique perspective to the school board, along with an unwavering commitment to our community," said Balton, a 2007 graduate of DV High School.
Balton grew up in Dingman Township, attending the DV School District from kindergarten at Shohola Elementary School through 12th grade. He was a leader in middle school and high school student government and student media, serving as editor in chief of the school newspaper in grades seven, eight, 11 and 12. Since fourth grade, he has participated on teams in the creative problem-solving program Odyssey of the Mind, and now volunteers as the Northeast Pennsylvania public relations director.
In the community, Balton has volunteered for about a decade for children's programs at Pike County Public Library. This year he was named PCPL's volunteer of the year.
"As a recent student, I have firsthand knowledge of where taxpayer dollars are being used effectively and where they are being used poorly," Balton said.
Balton began closely following school board matters at the beginning of his senior year, and has attended the majority of school board meetings in the past two and a half years.
“I appreciate your willingness to make the effort despite it being a bit of a stretch geographically,” board member Ed Silverstone said in an e-mail, noting he did not endorse Balton for the spot. “I hope you continue to get to meetings when you can without flunking out of school. The recent grad perspective is helpful.”
Balton maintains a Web blog called RB for DV, which offers links to news stories and opinion about DV, up-to-date meeting information and audio podcasts of meetings. The Web site, http://rbfordv.blogspot.com, receives over 100 visits per day.
"I hope the board considers my sincere intentions to give back to our community," Balton said. "They have an unprecedented option to add a valuable resource to their decision-making toolkits and best serve the school and community."
Balton is attending Syracuse University, dual majoring in public communications and policy studies. He was accepted into an exclusive internship program this coming spring teaching a citizenship course at a high school in Manhattan, which will give him easy access to attend school board meetings and complete board duties, if chosen.
“We all though applaud your initiative,” board member Sue Casey said in an e-mail. “You will go far in life Ryan.”
The school board will officially vote in a replacement for resigned member John Wladar on Oct. 23.
"I think taxpayers should be a part of the deliberation," Balton said. "All of the discussion so far has taken place in sessions closed to the public. An unofficial vote was taken in favor of the candidate with the least educational experience, so looking forward I hope the board considers the best interest of the community.”
Balton said he encourages community members to write to the board members and newspapers and to attend the meeting on Oct. 23, so they can make sure their voices are heard.
Anyone with questions for Balton can e-mail him at ryanbalton@gmail.com.
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
This website and its contents Copyright 2002-2006 TriStateNews.com unless otherwise noted. All Rights Reserved
|
|
All Associated Press Articles copyright The Associated Press. Usage allowed only by written permission of The Associated Press
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
