Long-time fiscal watchdog steps down
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Board of Education Director Keith Knauss announced his resignation from the school board, Monday.
EAST MARLBOROUGH — Keith Knauss, a vocal voice for fiscal restraint resigned from the Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education, Monday.
In a message to his colleagues on the board, Knauss, a representative of Region A from East Marlborough, said it was time for him to move on.
“I am resigning from the school board,” Knauss wrote. “There are a number of changes in my family life over the next year that will require the time of my wife, Mary Pat and I — not the least of which is the upcoming birth of our first grandchild.
“Some may wonder whether the recent teacher contract was a factor. Yes it was, but probably not for the reason one might think. I ran again for office 2 years ago specifically to participate in negotiating another union contract. A settled 4-year contract signals that my work is done.”
Knauss served two tenures on the board, first in the early 2000s and he ran and won election in 2009. He often argued for fiscal restraint and limiting tax increases. His was the only vote against approving the fact finders report that resulted in a four-year contract with the district’s teachers in September, saying he felt that the salary and benefit increases might prove to be unsustainable under Act 1 tax limits. He served as Finance Committee chair and served on the last two teachers contract negotiating committees for the board.
His colleagues thanked him for his dedicated service to the school district and the greater community.
“I am grateful for Keith’s service and dedication to this Board and the UCFSD community,”Board President Vic Dupuis said in a statement issued by the district. “Keith’s intellect, wisdom, and thought-provoking commentaries have been instrumental in ensuring that the Board considered many options on many issues. He will be missed but we wish him and Mary Pat a future filled with good things.”
although he often disagreed with Knauss on fiscal matters, board Vice President, Gregg Lindner said the back and forth the two shared helped better inform decisions.
“Keith gave freely of his time and I learned from his perspective,” Lindner said. “I truly respected his opinion and views. Our dialogs led, at the end of the day, to making the ultimate decisions better.”
Speaking to the community at large Knauss, in the district statement, said he wanted folks to know “the work of a school director was hard, but enjoyable and I’ve been rewarded many times over. The current excellent performance of the district along with the strength of the current board and administrative team allows me to resign without concern.”
The board will be discussing the next steps in selecting a replacement for Keith at the next Board meeting on October 19th.
Good work Keith. You will be missed.
Keith will be sorely missed. His insistence on fiscal responsibility and his commitment to school board openness and transparency will be his legacy.
He was always data driven and always conducted himself as a gentleman.
He was an important contributor to moving our school district from good to great.
As an aside, term limits may be a good idea but they would not change the composition of this board in any significant way. Only one of the eight remaining board members has completed even one four year term. I encourage everyone to get informed and vote. We get the government we deserve.
Any person, in any position, Director, President or Citizen can get data to support a point of view that pushes their own personal agenda.
The problem is citizen apathy. Citizens need to get involved, do their own research, collect their own data, so they can come to their own conclusions; instead of blindly listening and believing what others say is the best for them.
This is America for Goodness Sakes. We have the right to voice our opinions and it should be without fear of retribution or retaliation.
I wish Keith well in his retirement and this is not the time to evaluate whether he always conducted himself as a gentleman.
Whether I agree with them or not, I appreciate and admire any citizen who stands up and runs for any public office, so thank-you Keith
While Keith and I have had our share of philosophical differences, I respect the fact that he has always advocated for what he believed to be in the best interest of the district as a whole. Many of us believe in the importance of a balanced board and the need for all voices to be represented. Keith certainly represented an important segment of our district and gave voice to their concerns, without political posturing. I have learned a lot about good governance from Keith, and I wish him and his awesome wife, Mary Pat, safe travels and wonderful moments with their growing family.
Hi Kathleen,
Who is Beverly Brooks? Who is she running against? Who are all the new candidates, and their party affiliations? Thanks
Gregg Lindner and I are running for re-election on a Bi-Partisan slate for School Board with Bev Brookes, a lifelong Pennsbury Republican. We have always argued that school board elections should be non-partisan. Because PA is one of only three states that does not allow this, we decided to do the next best thing and run a Bi-Partisan campaign. The three other candidates are on a slate strongly supported by the Chadds Ford Republican Committee. Thanks for asking!
http://ucf-fusion2015.com/
You can also check out the Facebook page FUSION 2015 for more information about the candidates, Kathy Do, Gregg Lindner, and Beverly Brookes.
THANK-YOU!
“Brookes was a founding member of the Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Foundation — which started in 1995 — and and served as the organization’s treasurer for its first five years. She also has more than three decades of leadership in politics, in addition to serving as a local party leader, she was member of the state Republican Committee, and co-chaired Gov. Tom Ridge’s 1998 Chester County campaign.”
Mike, Am I correct that you are the President of the Education Foundation? Are you a founding member? Is it rude to ask your party affiliation? I think it’s only fair that you reveal that information, just my opinion.
I know about Daniels. Murphy and Rumuuno – are they more like Daniels? or are they more like Keith? Who is in line to replace Keith? I believe there is a good chance he hand picked someone for the job. No way he would leave that position open and flying in the wind.
Daniels, Murphy and Rumunno are running together against Do, Lindner, and Brookes. All six names will be on the ballot for Region C. The voters may vote for 3 open seats on the Board.
It’s time for all of the board to resign & start fresh. How do we get “term limits” for school board members on the ballot?
You don’t, unless the State Legislature and Governor agree and pass a law creating such term limits. Pennsylvania lacks initiative and referendum in its constitution.
I have called for term limits for quite sometime.
They are the only hope to guard against chummy relationships between Directors and Administrators which undermines impartiality and leads to decisions that consider factors other than students, tax payers and parents first.
Since the Legislature lacks initiative and referendum in its Constitution, citizens have to take initiative and vote new Directors in.
Congratulations Keith! No better way to spend time than with a new grandchild!
Keith, I echo Jeff’s sentiments. I enjoyed working with you on the school board and learned a lot from you. Thank you for your commitment, your frankness and your respect. I too wish you and your family all the best. Enjoy the free time!
Keith, I would like to extend to you my sincerest gratitude for your service to our community. Your perspective and always-data-driven commentary enriched debate and consistently drove better informed decisions. Wishing you and your family the very best.