Tom Borthwick

Politics

Scranton School Board Mid-April Update: PTAs & Fair Funding

April 14, 2019 By Tom Borthwick

Scranton’s kids have an issue. While we look at our district’s budget of $166 million and how we constantly experience shortfalls that require cuts and borrowing and tax increases, we are missing the biggest issue when we talk about how to address it: fair funding. According to the last state budget, a kid from Scranton […]

Politics

Scranton School Board April 1st Meeting: Pre-K on the Road to Being Saved

April 5, 2019 By Tom Borthwick

Forgive the time it’s taken to get this out there. There genuinely aren’t enough hours in the day, these days. The most important takeaway from Monday’s Scranton School board meeting is that only one person in the audience made an April Fool’s joke. I genuinely can’t believe it. I was waiting for, “You’re cutting Pre-K, […]

Politics

Scranton School Board March 25th Work Session: No, I’m Not Voting to Close Pre-K

March 26, 2019 By Tom Borthwick

The big takeaway from the Scranton Times today is that the district discussed cutting Pre-K. I will not be voting to do that. Period. So allow me to explain why it came up: we were cited by the federal government during our last audit (about a year ago) and we need to get into compliance […]

Politics

Scranton School Board Week 3: Reflections

March 19, 2019 By Tom Borthwick

Every day is a whirlwind in this new gig and it’s one of those “I don’t know where to begin” moments. It’s important that I not just let you know what I’m doing, but also to slow down and reflect on what I’ve learned. On top of that, there’s a whole campaign I have to […]

Politics

Scranton School Board Week 2: I’m Learnding!

March 11, 2019 By Tom Borthwick

For the uninitiated, the title isn’t a typo. It’s a reference to the Simpsons, the bread and butter of my younger days. It’s been yet another busy week since getting on the Scranton School Board. Most of my time, after the last meeting, has been spent learning and gathering information. So what have I been […]

Politics

Scranton School Board, March 4th Meeting (Boring Title, I Know)

March 5, 2019 By Tom Borthwick

Last night was my first Scranton School Board meeting as a member. It was heartening to see so many members of the public in the audience. Dr. Finan, our Recovery Officer, needs to hear how much our schools, libraries, and arts programs matter to us. We need to preserve them and, one day, restore them. […]

Politics

Scranton School Board Week 1: Well, Here Goes Nothin’

March 3, 2019 By Tom Borthwick

Some of you may have seen the front page of the Scranton Times this week. For those who haven’t, I got an appointment to the Scranton School Board. So, I’m a Director. That means, in addition to a campaign and a toddler and a baby on a way, I’m the steward of 10,000 city students. […]

Politics

Scranton School District: Help Me Fix This

February 24, 2019 By Tom Borthwick

In both 2011 and 2013, I ran for Scranton School Board. It was enough that I promised myself I’d never do that to my family again. Obviously, that promise is broken, as it’s 2019 and Tom Borthwick for Scranton School Board has risen from the ashes. This is a post about why. My lovely wife […]

Politics

Scranton School District Pt. 4: The Solutions

November 16, 2018 By Tom Borthwick

Frankly, the Scranton School Board hasn’t done all that it can to solve its problems and I don’t get it. I’ve been pretty clear about proposals that would help, and nobody seems interested in making them happen. I’ll propose them here again, where they can fall on deaf ears. Some of these you’ll have heard […]

Politics

Scranton School Board: The Clear Choice

November 4, 2018 By Tom Borthwick

Tomorrow, the Board has an opportunity and an obligation to do the right thing and appoint the most qualified person to fill its vacant seat. While I hate to eschew my normal humility, that person is me. I’ve made my case previously, and I’m going to make one final pitch. I’ve said more than once […]

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