Election 2025: Eight square off for four seats on North Penn School Board

    Elections (Credit: MediaNews Group)
  

One incumbent and seven newcomers will be on the ballot for four seats on the North Penn School Board on Nov. 4.

Two-term Democrat Al Roesch is joined by fellow Democrats Christine Coyne, Koh Chiba and Ken Keiser on the “North Penn Neighbors for Progress” team, opposed by Republican challengers Jeff Eshleman, Yanni Lambros, Victor Minnick and Thomas Moyer on the “North Penn United” ticket.

All eight candidates were asked the same questions, and below are their answers:

Coyne

    Christine Coyne (Submitted photo)
  

Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.

I am a North Penn High School alumna and mother of four children that are either currently enrolled in the district or will soon be.  In fact, next year, I will have the joy of having children in the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

I started my career as a nurse in Labor and Delivery and it began my love of children and families.  I was blessed to be a part of the most joyous and devastating times in people’s lives.  It gave me incredible insight into others’ experiences that were very different from my own.

I went onto work in pediatrician, family practice, and OB/GYN offices and then onto becoming a certified Case Manager.  I have led large, multi-disciplinary teams across the United States and globally.  After earning my Master’s in Business Administration, my career has turned more to business strategy, financial analysis, and innovation.

As I have moved more into a business/financial role and away from clinical roles, I have focused more with community service.  It has helped me fulfill my need to help others on a more granular level.  Whether volunteering in overseas clinics for children with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus or giving COVID vaccines with Skippack Pharmacy while I myself was pregnant — community service has helped me feel like I am still being a good nurse.

My focus with volunteerism has ranged from the North Penn School District Safety Action Committee, community health, special needs children, families that experience social determinants of health (such as food and housing insecurity), and LGBTQIA+ advocacy.   I bring a unique perspective and skillset to the North Penn School District board

What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?  

Since primaries, I have taken more time to have more candid conversations with residents, parents, teachers, and students.

One of the things I plan to commit to doing is always listening.  My experience in NPSD as a student (many years ago) and as a parent is unique and I acknowledge and respect that I don’t know everything.            

Others’ experiences are valid and should be heard.  Even those of whom that I may disagree with — they still deserve to be heard.  NPSD’s facilities are old, need basic repairs, and breaking.  There are concerns over how potential decreases in Federal funding may affect our district.

There are also valid concerns over safety in school, whether it be actual physical safety or psychological safety.  There is a lot of good work being done currently to help address these concerns — however, it can be argued that transparency and communication with the taxpayers about all of these projects is lacking.

I hope to bring this aspect to the school board and advocate for those I am potentially elected to represent.  Investing in our school system and our children is something I hope all support.

However, I want to ensure the best, fiscally-responsible decisions are being made and answers to the community’s questions about them are easily accessible.  All the while — I hope to bring empathy and understanding and empowerment to the community and our students.

Your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.

Facebook: Christine Coyne for North Penn School Board

Instagram: Christine_CoyneFornpsdsb/

Chiba

    Koh Chiba (Submitted photo)
  

Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking 

I’m the proud dad of two North Penn kids and the husband of a North Penn grad who is now a North Penn school counselor. Professionally, I lead public affairs for a multi-billion-dollar global company — managing complex, cross-functional projects, building coalitions, monitoring and advocating on policy, and turning opportunity into real results.

Before joining the private sector, I spent more than a decade in public service at the state and federal levels—both in Harrisburg and on Capitol Hill—where I learned to listen to constituents, solve problems, navigate government systems, and oversee complex, taxpayer-funded budgets. I bring a data-driven mindset, strong relationships with school and community partners, and a record of turning constituent concerns into concrete solutions.

If I am fortunate enough to earn the voters’ trust to be on the board, I’ll focus on transparency, student mental health, school safety, and careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars — with the purpose of setting up our students for success, whether that is in college, skilled careers, independent living, and more.

What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?  

Whether it’s while door-knocking, at community events, school board meetings, or around the dinner table with family and neighbors, I hear similar values and concerns:

Student success: Families want strong teaching and a forward-looking curriculum — in STEM and the arts — that provides real options after graduation. I’ll back approaches that work, use data to see what helps, and keep classrooms inclusive so every student can thrive.

Safety, mental health, and special education: Parents want schools that feel safe and caring, and families of students with disabilities need services delivered on time and with dignity. I’ll support practical safety measures, ensure students get support quickly, and insist special-education supports are resourced and implemented.

Teachers and staff: Great schools need supported faculty. I’ll prioritize time, tools, and respect—manageable class sizes, planning time, quality training, and clear communication.

Trust and dollars: Taxpayers want to know where money goes and what it delivers. I’ll work to make budgets transparent, easy to understand, and provide multiple channels of communication. I will listen to the public, review what’s working so we strengthen it—or redirect funds when it isn’t.

Facilities and transportation: People deserve reliable buses and quality buildings. I’ll support a clear, long-term plan that prioritizes basics while providing a school that our students and community are proud of.

Your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.

Website: https://www.npneighborsforprogress.com/

Facebook: Koh Chiba for North Penn School Board

Instagram: @koh_chiba_npnp

Keiser

    Ken Keiser (Submitted photo)
  

Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.

I have lived in the North Penn community for 29 years, and both of my daughters attended North Penn schools from elementary through high school. Like many parents, I’ve sat in the bleachers at games, helped with Girl Scouts, supported the Marching Knights and was active in the Gwynedd Square Home & School Association. These experiences gave me a realistic view of the strengths of our schools, and the challenges families face.

Professionally, I bring over 40 years of experience in engineering, and the cybersecurity of our nation’s critical infrastructure.  My background in project management, safety, and governance provides the tools to make thoughtful, responsible decisions on the board.

In our community, I serve as President of my church’s preschool board, taught Sunday School for 15 years, and have twice been elected Judge of Election.  I want to bring that same spirit of service and accountability to our school board.

What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?

Across our community, I hear concerns about transparency, fiscal responsibility, and school safety.  For transparency, families and taxpayers want open communication.  I will bring a voice on the board for clear updates, accessible information, and real dialogue with families. Residents want strong schools with reasonable, common-sense costs.

My governance and project management experience will help me to evaluate budgets carefully and prioritize investments that benefit students.  Many parents also raise concerns they have about School safety. Safety means more than locked doors; it includes physical, digital, and emotional security. When a parent sends a child to a school, they want to know that child is safe.  My cybersecurity background offers a practical perspective on how to keep schools safe while remaining welcoming.

Most importantly, I believe in listening. Every parent, teacher, student, and taxpayer has a voice that deserves to be heard. Our slate blends experience with fresh perspectives, focused on earning the trust of our community.

Your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.

Facebook: Ken Keiser for North Penn School Board

Website: www.kenkeiser.com

Roesch

    Al Roesch (Submitted photo)
  

Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking 

I served in the US Air Force, have a BA in Business Management from Moravian College, a BS in Computer Science from Penn State, and an MS in Business Administration from Central Michigan.

I designed, developed, and implemented business systems for major corporations, including GE Aerospace, GE Astrospace, Smith Kline, Aetna, and Independence Blue Cross. My experience includes writing business proposals, business analysis, project planning, project management, and team leadership.

I have been on the North Penn School Board for five years, am Chair of North Montco Technical Career Center, Chair of the Policy Committee, and Vice Chair of the Finance Committee. I am an avid supporter of the North Penn and North Montco Technical Career Center Education Foundations.

I donate blood regularly, donated bone marrow, taught Sunday school, spend several days a week cleaning our parks and neighborhoods, coached CYO girls basketball, and worked at the St. Stanislaus festival.

I will work with our community to make North Penn schools a place where our children will become valued community members, earning a living wage, and that our community will talk about with pride.

What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?

As chair of North Montco Technical Career Center, I talk with parents and grandparents worried about the cost of higher education, or their children and grandchildren being able to earn a living wage without going to college.

At the high school we implemented dual enrollment where students can earn up to two years of college credits at North Penn.

We continue to invest is our Engineering Academy which is hands-on, project-based learning. Our Spatial Computing lab, is a technology that allows students to create digital content that can understand and interact with the real-world environment. It uses technologies like augmented, virtual, and mixed reality. We just invested in a Scanning Electron Microscope so students can research and develop solutions to global challenges in the Energy, Materials, Environment, and Health-Care sectors.

At North Montco Technical Career Center, we continue to invest, delivering quality technical education and training programs that meet the needs of our students and local employers. We offer 24 state-of-the-art programs. Last year we added programs in Social Media Marketing, Property Maintenance and Renovation, Service Occupations, and Sports Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy. This year, we added more students to Health Sciences.

Your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.

You can always reach every School Board member by going to the North Penn School District website and choose the School Board link. As a team we make sure that every letter is answered.

Website: www.npneighborsforprogress.com

Facebook: NorthPennNeighborsforProgress/

Eshleman

    Jeff Eshleman (Submitted photo)
  

Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.

I am running for the position of North Penn School Board Director because I care about what is best for our public schools and our community. Over my 41 years in education, 36 years were in public schools and 26 in North Penn. I have served as an elementary teacher, school librarian at both the elementary and secondary levels, and a special education assistant. These roles have given me a deep understanding of the diverse needs of students, from literacy and technology integration to special education supports.

They also provided valuable experience collaborating with teachers and administrators, which is essential for a school board director. In addition to my work in schools, I have been involved in many extracurricular activities over the years and have coached community youth sports.

I am also active in my church. My classroom expertise, district experience, and community involvement have prepared me to bring a thoughtful, balanced, and student-centered voice to the North Penn School Board.

What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?

While taxes continue to increase annually, parents have also expressed concerns to me about declining test scores and school safety. I believe teacher in-service days can beused to provide additional tools and strategies for teachers, which could lead to improved test scores.

I also believe greater effort can be made to teach students to respect each other and apply the golden rule. This can be reinforced through assembly programs and classroom lessons on respect and behavior.

While neither of these steps are complete remedies, they would help create a stronger academic atmosphere and move us in the right direction toward improving test scores and making schools safer. I would also work to carefully review the budget each year, looking for areas where costs can be reduced or managed more efficiently without impacting the quality of education.

Our community deserves strong transparency and accountability so taxpayers clearly understand where their dollars are going and can trust that funds are being used responsibly.

Your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.

Facebook: North Penn United

Website: https://northpennunited.com/

Lambros

    Yanni Lambros (Submitted photo)
  

Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.

As a local business owner, licensed general contractor, and Realtor, I bring practical leadership, financial expertise, and innovative problem-solving to the school board. I’m also a proud North Penn graduate who has lived in the district since childhood and I am deeply committed to our community’s future.

My entrepreneurial background equips me to manage budgets effectively, promote transparency, and foster collaboration.

I am ready to bring a fresh perspective to support North Penn’s continued growth.

What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?

I hear a variety of concerns from various members of the community and there is a wide variety of issues that have been expressed.

1. Never-ending tax hikes over out-of-control spending by the board.

2. Lack of maintenance and TLC on middle and elementary schools

3. Increase in violence and poor policy decisions putting Students at risk.

4. Politics being pushed on Students and Staff.

5. More resources and Transparency for parents of special needs children.

These are just some of the issues the community has shared with me. I will do my best to make these changes and make your voices heard!

Your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.

Wanna learn more? Visit www.northpennunited.com or my Facebook page Yanni Lambros for North Penn School Board Director

Minnick

Minnick (Submitted photo)

Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.

I have been a proud Lansdale resident for over 20 years, raising my family in the North Penn School District. Two of my children have graduated from North Penn High School, and I currently have one student at North Penn and another at Penndale Middle School. As a parent, I’ve experienced firsthand the strengths and challenges within our district, and I’m deeply committed to ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education.

As a small business owner, I bring practical experience in leadership, budgeting, and strategic decision-making. I understand how to work within constraints, plan for the future, and balance multiple priorities; skills that are directly applicable to serving effectively on the School Board.

My long-term connection to the community, both as a parent and a business owner, gives me a unique perspective on the needs of our students, families, and educators. I am committed to promoting transparency, fiscal responsibility, and policies that support student success, teacher empowerment, and strong community involvement

What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?

The most common concerns I hear from residents include transparency in decision-making, academic performance, school safety, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. As a parent with children currently in the district and a small business owner, I understand these concerns both personally and professionally.

Many families feel disconnected from how decisions are made. To address this, I would advocate for clearer, more accessible communication from the School Board, including hosting monthly or quarterly Q&A sessions to hear directly from the community and provide updates in an open, two-way format.

Academic success and student well-being are also key concerns. I support data-driven approaches that promote strong educational outcomes while ensuring students have the support they need to thrive.

Finally, as a business owner, I understand the importance of fiscal responsibility. I would work to ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively, with a focus on investments that directly support students and classrooms.

My goal is to bring transparency, accountability, and a strong community voice to the School Board.

Your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.

Facebook: North Penn United

Website: https://northpennunited.com/

Moyer

Moyer (Submitted photo)

Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.

I am currently a transportation dispatcher and work in a union environment. I enjoy being a bridge from management to the labor union and finding ways to create a work environment that everyone can thrive.

I can bring these skills to support the teachers and administrative staff to address the changing world we live in.

I am also a volunteer with a local youth organization and the musical director for a local barbershop chorus.

I thrive in bringing differences together to find the greatest outcomes and would only continue the conversation on the school board.

What are the biggest issues or concerns you hear from local residents? How would you address those?

I hear most about transparency and the concern of academics for our students.  The main mission of the school district should be to prepare our students to be the best citizens of the community we want to live in.

I agree that the learning environment needs to be comfortable but luxurious is not going to improve our academics.

I think through this time, we have lost sight of what is most important. That is investing in resources for the success of our students and staff.

Our staff need the best resources and the best inspiration to prepare our students for the real world.

A new building will be great but is that the biggest issue facing our schools, or is it the challenges of keeping our students engaged and inspired to be the best version of themselves?

Your campaign website, social media pages, and/or anywhere else our readers can find you.

Facebook: North Penn United

Website: https://northpennunited.com/

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