I wish they were all like Tiffiney Penn.

If you have a child in the Harrisburg School District, then you’re going to want a woman like Tiffiney Penn on the elected school board.

Now please, do some research of your own. I’m basing this post on what I witnessed at the Candidates Forum at the South Allison Hill Community Center last night (4.23.09). But what I heard and saw was a passionate, level-headed, dedicated parent who will demand excellence and transparency from, not only the governing body of the school district but, the parents of the students as well.

Again- my child doesn’t attend Harrisburg schools. (And she likely never will), but if she did- I’d want her to be under the watchful eye of a woman like Ms. Penn.

I was in the back of the room- talking quietly with Brad Koplinski- while most of the school-board candidates were having their debate. At one point, I leaned over to Brad and said “Y’know, Brad…we can have the most capable, balanced, honest, educated and well-equipped school board and system in the country…but if the parents of the students do not provide a solid foundation for learning and achievement, then it’s all a waste of time.”

Tiffaney Penn’s next statement echoed what I had said to Koplinski not thirty-seconds prior.

Sure, there’s been much controversy over the past week surrounding the sparring match between Ms. Penn and Randy King regarding a questionable comment made at the candidates forum on Tuesday. But pushing that all aside- the reality of the matter is that the Harrisburg School District doesn’t need any more “Yes Men” (or women).

The school board needs concerned parents; active and involved in their childrens education and discipline.

And from what I saw last night, Ms. Penn is six-links ahead of the rest of the candidates.