2017 School Board Elections
The following is a listing of the current school board director positions up for election in 2017. If you are interested in running for school board, please email admin@blairdems.org.
Pamela Blackmon
Hollidaysburg Area School District
Pamela Blackmon is Associate Professor of Political Science at The Pennsylvania State University, Altoona. She has lived in Hollidaysburg since 2010, and has two children that attend C.W. Longer Elementary. She is also a volunteer at C.W. Longer Elementary.
I am running as a candidate for the Hollidaysburg School Board because I want to be more involved in the decision-making process of our school system. I have two children who attend school in the Hollidaysburg school district, as well as serving as a volunteer in the district. Therefore, I feel that I have a vested interest in, and want to participate more broadly in what is happening in our district.
John Donley
Altoona Area School District
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Age: 48
Family​: Pam, Lauren, Sarah
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Residence: Logan Township, 19 years
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Education: Penn State University-B.S. in Accounting
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Certifications: Certified Public Accountant
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Employment: McLanahan Corporation, Director of Finance and Accounting
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Public Service
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Altoona Area School District Board of Directors
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December 2013 – Present
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Board President – December 2015 – Present
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Logan Township Zoning Hearing Board
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Chairman of the Board
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Community Service
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Sarah Donley Sharing is Caring Fund
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Penn State Altoona Alumni Society Board of Directors
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Lector – St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Altoona, PA
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Former Board Member, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Blair County
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When I ran for school board back in 2013, I ran for one reason – to help ensure we provide the students of the Altoona Area School District the best education we can. My focus has always been and always will be the children. Our children are our most precious resource. We must continue to invest in our children’s future to ensure that today’s generation and generations to come receive the highest quality education. The School District has faced many challenges during my first term and has experienced several changes in leadership. However I am confident we are on the right path.
Being a school board director is not about pushing your own personal political ideology. Being a school board member is about serving your local community for the benefit of the community’s children. It’s about making sure our children receive the educational foundation they need to be successful, productive citizens in today’s challenging times.
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Robin Reese
Altoona Area School District
Robin Reese is a 13 year resident of Altoona, PA. She is a tenured professor of Theater Arts at the Penn State Altoona campus. Robin received her Masters in Fine Arts from the Actors Studio Drama school, graduating in the same class as Bradley Cooper.
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In addition to her work as a professor, Robin has served as a legal secretary, a volunteer at a New York City literacy program, managed a traveling theater company, and served as the Development Director for Montgomery County's Victim Services Center.
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Robin believes that her extensive career in the arts and education fields, in addition to a kindergarten-aged daughter, make her a fantastic addition to the Altoona school board.