Ive Eufracio-Childs runs for Hazleton Area School Board
May 12—In her campaign for Hazleton Area School Board, Ive Eufracio-Childs advocates for internet service to students, buses for after-school activities and teachers who speak English and Spanish.
She doesn't know if COVID-19 will relent enough for students to attend classes in person next year, but she said all students should have internet service so they can study from home rather than connect at hotspots outside schools.
"How do you tell people to bring students to a parking lot in the middle of winter? ... It doesn't work," Eufracio-Childs said.
For students who fell behind while studying from home this year, she said teachers might suggest work to do and books to read during the summer.
Scheduling school buses into the evenings would let all students — not just those who could arrange rides — take part in clubs, sports and events.
"We need to give all the kids the same opportunities," she said.
The $55 million that Hazleton Area will receive in pandemic relief from the federal government will cover costs of busing and internet service and help schools brace for what Eufracio-Childs expects will follow if developers build 19 warehouses that they propose for the Hazleton area.
"Companies will bring people to the city. Nothing's wrong with that, (but) it will bring more kids," said Eufracio-Childs, noting that the current board gave 10-year tax breaks to some warehouse developers.
"They don't pay taxes. Where do you think the money is coming from?"
As more students enroll, the district might need more classrooms and teachers.
Eufracio-Childs, who is running with Yesenia Rodriguez, said the board also will have to replace dozens of teachers who will retire this year.
A part-time Spanish teacher at Immanuel Christian School, Eufracio-Childs puts a premium on hiring teachers who speak English and Spanish, even if they need emergency certifications to teach in Pennsylvania. Paraprofessionals who speak two languages also can help students who are learning English.
"We need to find a solution by working together," she said.
Contact the writer: kjackson@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3587
