Monday, October 19, 2009

Betsy Ruch - Candidate for PAHS School Board Director

To introduce myself, I lived in Schuylkill Township for almost 32 years, but after my children grew to adulthood, I moved to Phoenixville borough, where I have lived for the last 8 years.

I could have moved anywhere, but I have chosen to stay in the Phoenixville area.

I have 4 children, who have all gone through the Phoenixville school system, K-12, and who all have attended good colleges, and who are all productive citizens. I have 9 grandchildren, four of whom reside in the district and are now, or in the future, going to district schools. I do have a vested interest in the quality of education that the school district provides.

I am a retired senior citizen who lives on a fixed income, so I am very concerned about the district being fiscally conservative, as I myself, am.

I have a Masters Degree in Education and have taught on the college and junior high school levels.

I am co-founder and was co-owner of Schuylkill Valley Sporting Goods. I have worked in industry as head of Customer Service for TenPro in Phoenixville, and as Vice President of Production for Times and Season, a small import/manufacturing firm.

I was involved in Phoenixville Youth Babe Ruth League for 15 years in the capacities of Coach or Manager of regular season teams as well as of All Star teams. I also served on the Board as Softball Representative and helped to revise the Softball By-laws.

I have been very active with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a merit badge counselor and serving on the troop committee.

I have held several leadership positions as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, including being President for three years of the local branch of the Relief Society, the largest organization for women in the world. In that capacity, I oversaw the temporal and spiritual welfare of over 200 women. I have held various teaching positions in the church as well as serving as Girls' basketball coach.

My campaign is based on the three R’ s – not only on reading, 'riting, and 'rithmatic, but Reason, Respect, and Responsibility.

Reason – to me means common sense. It means looking at all sides of an issue and choosing the best course. It means having an open mind and working as a team to reach the best solution, and acting accordingly. It is stressing basics to help students realize their potential and channeling them toward success.

Respect – is vital to any working relationship, whether it be fellow Board members, teachers, support staff, parents, citizens, or students. There should never be a “them against us” attitude. We need to hold everyone accountable for their job, appreciate those who have demonstrated excellence, and encourage the rest in a civil manner. It is important that we respect the expertise of those whom we have entrusted to educate our children.

Responsibility – It is vital for us all to realize the responsibility that we have to educate our future citizens and leaders. It is critical that we be willing to take responsibility for our actions and decisions. It is our responsibility to ask the hard questions and to demand truthful answers.

To these three R’s, I would like to add a fourth – Right. We must be willing to choose what is right for the district and community after hearing all sides of an issue. To that end, I will do my best to make the right decision for the school district and the community.

These are things that I passionately believe, and will do all within my power to act accordingly.

I will be accessible and encourage everyone to contact me on any issue.

My telephone number is 610 935-1354 and my email is realruch@hotmail.com.

Please consider casting your vote for me, Betsy Ruch!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have known Betsy Ruch for many years since. She is an honorable and respectful individual for whom I certainly will cast a vote. I sincerely believe she will do what is best for the students of our schools.

Anonymous said...

Betsy has also worked in PAHS in the attendance office. She has the valuable experience of working with administrators, teachers, other support staff, and parents. This experience is key in having someone who can approach school issues with the whole picture in mind. Betsy values education, fiscal honesty and accountablity. She will do a fabulous job.

A Phoenixville Taxpayer said...

For School Board Candidates -

1. Your opinion on the taking of the Meadowbrook Golf Course for additional school property?

2. Your opinion on the saving of the old Schuylkill School?

Anonymous said...

This is from Betsy - I am sorry that I took so long to get back to this question, but I did not know it was here. Te answer to #1 is that if the owners of the golf course are willing to sell the property to the disrict at fair market value, that would be fine. But,I do not favor eminent domain.
In answer to #2, I do not know all of the specifics of the controversy, but I do know that the district has offered to lease the property to the Friends of Schuylkill, but the Friends have not taken them up on it. It is an historic building and would be nice to have it made into something that will benefit the community, but if it doesn't happen soon, it will become an eyesore and a dangerous situation in the long run.