Since December 2009, Penni Fishbaine has served the State College Area School District as a member of its Board of Directors. She was the School Board president during the two years of referendum communications and vote. 

As a parent of two State High graduates and longstanding member of the State College community, Fishbaine has been involved in the school district for many years on many levels. Fishbaine is also approved to serve as the school board representative on the SCASD Education Foundation board.

Read about her thoughts and outlook for the district in this Q&A.

What motivated you to run for a position on the Board of School Directors?

PF: Throughout my children’s education at SCASD, I was always involved and supportive of the schools. I believe in transparency, accountability, and community support for our public schools. In 2009, I ran for office because there were open seats, and I believed there was a need for a Board member who could balance the budgetary needs with the educational purpose of the district. I knew I could meet that need and serve. There is always a balance between costs and opportunities that must be carefully weighed in order for SCASD to be able to succeed in its mission.

What was your experience like as a parent of students who went through SCASD schools?

PF: My children had a positive experience attending district schools. Both of my children acknowledge that SCASD prepared them well for college. I volunteered in the classrooms, library, and on the PTO. At Easterly, I served as the PTO president among other positions. The elementary schools seemed very open to parent advocacy and assistance.

What are your fondest memories of your children’s years in the district?

PF: Some of my favorite memories were of the plays in Mrs. Wilkinson’s kindergarten classroom at Easterly Parkway with both of my children. The students performed in mini adaptations of Cats, The Nutcracker, and Maurice Sendak’s books. The trip to Gettysburg was also a favorite of mine. In high school, there was the excitement of intramural basketball (T-shirt design and team spirit) and the homecoming parade with the field hockey team. I served as the field hockey booster club co-president.

What have been some of the most challenging and rewarding projects you’ve worked on as a school board member?

PF: Passing the referendum vote for $85 million for the State High Project was by far the most challenging and rewarding accomplishment in my years on the Board. We still are only the second school district in the state to have passed a voter referendum. Act 1 of 2006 limited the board’s taxing authority. Act 1 dictated that in order to raise enough taxes to fund the update of the high school facilities, the majority of the voters in our district had to vote in favor of the increase. Seventy-three percent of voters supported the referendum. To achieve this, SCASD board members, administration, and volunteers went door to door, presented at meetings all over the community, and educated the public on the need for the high school update and on the referendum process. 

What would you like families/the community to know about the Board of School Directors? 

PF: The SCASD board members work diligently to make informed decisions for the entire district. Each board member casts one vote and most actions need to pass by a majority. We are transparent with our deliberations and actions, but we must also consider items that are executive in nature.

As a board member, I must look at the big picture, and what effect my decision would have on resources and all of the students in the district. This can be difficult for a person with a single issue to understand. Board members are elected but not paid. We volunteer because we care about the district and our community, but board members are also ultimately responsible for the district budget. This year, the budget is $146 million and that is a pretty daunting responsibility.

How do you feel the Education Foundation will benefit the school district?

PF: Support from the foundation is a win/win for the community and the district. With the establishment of the SCASD Education Foundation, the district can receive contributions from businesses that are eligible for Education Improvement Tax Credits (EITC). An additional benefit that is increasingly more important is that the SCASD Education Foundation is able to solicit contributions that can directly enhance district programming and provide an additional funding stream directly to the district.

Contributions from the Education Foundation may defray costs from local taxpayers. With gifts from donors and businesses, the district should be able to support the budget and enhance programming opportunities for students with less local tax increases.

The district receives 82 percent of its funding from local taxes. Since SCASD is considered a “wealthy district” by the state, only 17 percent of its budget comes from the state. Federal funding accounts for only 1 percent of the budget.

Since Act 1 of 2006 was passed, the district’s taxing authority has been limited. Taxes cannot be increased beyond an index provided by the state unless the district undergoes a voter referendum. Obviously, the voter referendum is a rare process. Therefore, the district must live within its taxing authority. The district is always looking at improving and enhancing learning experiences for all students. Education is constantly changing, and maintaining a continual improvement model can be costly and necessary for our students to be engaged and prepared for college and careers in the future. Support from the Foundation can help the district achieve its financial goals while allowing for increased student opportunities. (Read more about the EITC program here.)

What is your vision for the Foundation’s future?

PF: The Education Foundation will enhance the SCASD programming while also engaging more of the community. I see it as a partnership where the foundation board members and contributors will be able to communicate the district achievements and goals to more community members. Ultimately, SCASD aims to be the district of choice for all families in our district. The district is expending more funds each year to charter schools, which are held to different state regulations and mandates. SCASD is a district that provides amazing opportunities for students. We need to tell the many wonderful stories of our many programs that are geared to students’ interests and of students’ successes at all levels. The SCASD Education Foundation will also help communicate the district’s educational vision and goals so more community members are engaged and better informed about the district. The foundation will create more awareness and increase community support around the district.

Final thoughts?

PF: The district has come so far in the last 10 years. SCASD is in better shape financially through cost controls, planned attrition, and solid financial planning. All facilities are on track for necessary updates after many prior years of program expansion, with limited regard to improving facilities. The district now has a planned timeline and projected financing to continue with improvements on facilities as needed. There is a need to ensure the sustainability of our budget while maintaining our district’s vision of preparing students for lifelong success through excellence in education. The foundation will assist in supporting the district’s mission.