To the Editor:

I am concerned about the East Penn School Board election this year as it pertains to the Donatelli/Allen slate.

They are being promoted by people with a political agenda who want to undermine the success and excellence of the East Penn school system.

I understand that they don’t like Common Core. I don’t like it either and if you ask any one of the pro-education candidates, whether it be Ken Bacher, Richard Mathesz, Paul Champagne, Chuck Ballard or Wally Vinovskis, they’ll tell you they also don’t like it. They’ll tell you that they don’t like the over-reliance on standardized testing, which can monopolize a teacher’s time. They recognize the importance of allowing teachers to do what they do best, which is to teach.

The Donatelli/Allen slate would like for you to believe they can undo Common Core at the local level. They must be deeply confused or are just shamefully spreading misinformation in an attempt to scare up votes.

Pennsylvania isn’t even a Common Core state (Harrisburg, Pa., Sept. 12, 2013-PRNewswire-USNewswire). Actually, Pennsylvania adopted its own standard which does not allow the federal government to test our students.

These candidates want to play politics on the backs of our children.

The school board is not the place for activists with an agenda. It is a place for well-informed, well-qualified people who care about our children and community.

Vote for pro-education candidates Bacher, Mathesz, Champagne, Ballard and Vinovskis Nov. 3.

Jane Aylor Fretz

Lower Macungie Township