Vote 5 for PV Candidates
Matt Dorr
Russ Larson
Matt Dorr
I believe in strong public education. I had an excellent public-school education, and want to make sure that is offered to all students. I also want to make sure public schools strive to excel in preparing our children for the real world, by teaching HOW to think, and not, WHAT to think.
I was raised in Geneseo, NY with my 3 older brothers
I believe in strong public education. I had an excellent public-school education, and want to make sure that is offered to all students. I also want to make sure public schools strive to excel in preparing our children for the real world, by teaching HOW to think, and not, WHAT to think.
I was raised in Geneseo, NY with my 3 older brothers and parents. I attended public school until I was in 9th grade, when I moved to a Private Jesuit School. I moved to Pennsylvania in 1997 and ultimately married and settled in the Perkiomen Valley in 2004. My son and daughter both attended Skippack Elementary, and my son attended East Middle School until last year when we decided to move them to private Catholic school.
I attended the University of Buffalo studying Psychology, and received my Bachelors of Science in Computer Science from DeSales University. For the past 20+ years, I have worked in the Medical Device industry; supporting complex surgical procedures and providing advance training in the operating room.
I have served on the PV School Board for almost 5 years- first being appointed, then elected. Within that role, I served on the Finance, Safety & Operations, Negotiations, and Policy Committees. Outside of School business, I have coached (or assisted) LPLL Baseball, CYO Baseball, PVYB Basketball, and Soccer. Each year I support a Car Show for the Toys for Tots organization. Additionally, I have volunteered for the annual, Tim Tebow’s: A Night to Shine event for special needs children.
Kim Mares
Russ Larson
Matt Dorr
I have a desire to ensure that all students in the district, especially students with more intensive needs, have access to an excellent education with high expectations and are prepared to attain educational and/or work goals after graduation.
Lived in Northern Virginia for most of my childhood and raised our family in Northern Virginia un
I have a desire to ensure that all students in the district, especially students with more intensive needs, have access to an excellent education with high expectations and are prepared to attain educational and/or work goals after graduation.
Lived in Northern Virginia for most of my childhood and raised our family in Northern Virginia until moving to PVSD in 2008. My husband and I are the proud parents of seven children, two of whom currently attend high school. One of our sons is a Super Senior at Perkiomen Valley High School.
I earned a B.S in Communications from James Madison University. Worked as a paralegal for a medical defense malpractice law firm and as a coordinator for a tennis facility. I have been able to stay home with our children while participating in extensive volunteer and advocacy work.
I have served on the PVSD Superintendent Parent Advisory Committee, PV Partners for Equity and Inclusion Committee, while also participating in the Delaware Valley Consortium for Excellence and Equity hosted by the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Collaborate with the Parent Education Advocacy and Leadership Center and also the Pennsylvania Training Technical Assistance Network. Introduced the school district to the Peer Buddy mentor model for those students with more intensive needs. Currently volunteering with the So Much To Give Inclusive Cafe and working on creating semi-independent supportive living spaces for young adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Montgomery County. Serving as Vice-President for Perkiomen Valley School Board.
Russ Larson
Russ Larson
Jordan Cohen
Perkiomen Valley is among the top school districts in Pennsylvania with no shortage of incredible staff and talented teachers, yet we lag behind some neighboring districts in a few key academic performance measures. By incorporating best practices from other high performing public and private schools along with input from the community an
Perkiomen Valley is among the top school districts in Pennsylvania with no shortage of incredible staff and talented teachers, yet we lag behind some neighboring districts in a few key academic performance measures. By incorporating best practices from other high performing public and private schools along with input from the community and parents, we can improve academic outcomes for our students.
My career has anchored on improving the experience of our customers and employees. In commercial operations, I utilized customer-centric principles to enable our sales people to understand the customer, and in IT, I've employed those same principles to shape our priorities, focusing on reducing technology friction, so that our employees can focus on producing products for people who need them. My background makes me an ideal choice to help improve student experiences and results… (1) my focus on customer centricity is grounded in ensuring the voice of the customer is the basis for our decisions, and likewise, as a school board member I will ensure our student's needs underpin every decision we make, (2) I have perspectives from both private and public schools and I’ll help facilitate discussions between our local institutions (to learn from each other) and (3) I have a relentless focus on improving outcomes for underserved cohorts and will channel that energy toward our students. I’ll advocate for policies that maximize the potential for upward mobility and individual success.
My dad was in the U.S. Air Force and we moved to a few different states as children, giving me cultural experiences from the midwest, the southwest and the northeast. I attended Penn State majoring in Economics (B.S.) and afterward settled here in the Perkiomen Valley where I’ve lived for over 20 years. I've coached youth baseball and football and have been a member of a 501c board, a financial consultant, and I manage investment trusts.
My wife and I have three children: our oldest is a junior at Florida State University, another is a senior at PV High School, and our youngest is a freshman at PJP High School. Our children attended catholic elementary school and from there, two decided to attend PVHS, and one decided to remain in catholic school (PJP)… importantly, all three were given the latitude to decide their choice of high school. My exposure to private and public schools has provided me with invaluable insights into the educational and cultural approaches of both types of institutions. I know many of the challenges, issues, and advantages of both. My approach to elevating our district’s academic competitiveness will center around mapping out the optimal student journey, motivating students, and partnering with parents. I'll put students first and at the center of everything we do so that they develop an affinity toward learning, to prepare them to be successful adults.
Jordan Cohen
Jordan Cohen
Jordan Cohen
I grew up and spent the first portion of my career in suburban Chicago; I have resided in Perkiomen Township for the last 26 years. My education includes a BS degree from the University of Illinois in Business Management and Computer Science. I am married with one son currently enrolled in PVHS along with a daughter who has graduated from
I grew up and spent the first portion of my career in suburban Chicago; I have resided in Perkiomen Township for the last 26 years. My education includes a BS degree from the University of Illinois in Business Management and Computer Science. I am married with one son currently enrolled in PVHS along with a daughter who has graduated from Penn State University.
My professional career has encompassed 43 years in Electronic Security and Fire Detection primarily in product design, engineering, application development and management. Most recently I was VP of Engineering Services for Hochiki America. Being exposed to what is occurring day to day in our schools through my son has invigorated my desire to try and advocate needed improvement in our district. Watching our school taxes rise disproportionally to the cost of living should equate to greater success as a district. Strategic direction is essential to maximize our mission to the community.
Currently I am serving on the District’s Policy Committee and look forward to working toward what might be done in analyzing and bringing to date our practices. The educational experience lost during the COVID pandemic must not be forgotten. It is our responsibility to never allow this magnitude of disruption to occur again. Accordingly, the district needs to be properly prepared for future factors which may be outside of our control. The construction of an inclusive and consistent Information Technology environment for the majority of our students is essential. The current void in instructors (not administrators) required for learning assistance is overwhelming. We must strive to serve students equitably at all learning levels. I believe it is essential to strategically use our resources (both physical and monetary) to afford the best possible preparation and experiences for all our children (the leaders of tomorrow) to move forward. I believe in creative and responsible direction to maximize the benefits for our children and community is where our primary focus must be. The process of planning and directing our district’s efforts and progress in extraordinary times is where I believe my experience and knowledge will assist the district as a School Director.
In a district filled with the resources and capabilities we have; our delivery of an environment for understanding, learning and success must improve.
Heidi Brown
Jordan Cohen
Heidi Brown
I believe more change is needed to ensure that PV students receive a balanced and unbiased education. I want to ensure that the content being taught in our classrooms, the books that we have chosen for our students, and the teaching resources used throughout the district are age appropriate. Parents should be assured that their children a
I believe more change is needed to ensure that PV students receive a balanced and unbiased education. I want to ensure that the content being taught in our classrooms, the books that we have chosen for our students, and the teaching resources used throughout the district are age appropriate. Parents should be assured that their children are learning factual and bipartisan content. As a school it is our duty to keep politics and personal viewpoints out of our classrooms by employees and maintain a level of respect for all students and staff members. Parents have the right to be informed, be provided the choice, and have the final say as to what is best for their children.
I am currently a resident in Lower Frederick Township. I was raised in the Collegeville/Trappe area, where most of my family lived as well. I have been happily married for 33 years and have three grown children and one beautiful grandson.
I am a 1984 graduate of Perkiomen Valley. I then attended Maxwell Computer Institute for Operations and Programming. I worked at a technology company before starting a family in
1989. In 2003, after staying home to raise my children, I was hired by the Perkiomen Valley School District and worked at Schwenksville Elementary. Most of my career at PV was in special education as a paraprofessional at Evergreen Elementary and some time at the high school. I found this work to be my true purpose and passion.
Throughout the years I was home raising my children, I was a very active member of the school’s parent community; Home and School activities, classroom volunteering, and supporting students with reading programs. I also coached PV girls youth field hockey and lacrosse for a few years. Currently, I am serving on my township committee to help improve and enhance our area along with providing support for our community.
