Robert M. Cohen, who has cross-filled Democrat and Republican for the May 18 Municipal Primary, has announced his candidacy for school board director with the Parkland School District.

He attended William Allen High School, has a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute, and Microsoft Certified Professional from Technology Institute of Lehigh Valley.

Cohen is a retired business owner and education software consultant.

He says his qualifications for this office include:

·Director, Parkland School Board: 1997-present;

·President: four years;

·Vice President: four years;

·Chairman, Academic, Arts, and Athletics Committee: four years;

·Chairman, Building and Grounds Committee: present;

·Strategic Planning Committee;

·Contract Negotiation Committee;

·Personnel and Finance Committee;

·Multicultural Community Outreach Committee;

·Superintendent Search Committee;

·Director, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute: five years;

·Trustee, Lehigh Carbon Community College: seven years; and

·Trustee, Parkland Community Library: five years.

Cohen says some accomplishments reflecting his child-centered advocacy are:

•Directly involved in the creation of the senior administrative position of director of the Visual and Preforming Arts;

•Long-term supporter for the implementation of full day kindergarten;

•Significant supporter for the full-time, senior administrative position of director of safety and security;

•Twice appointed to the Search Committee for District Superintendent;

•Reinforced and improved the communication and cooperation between the school district and Parkland Community Library; and

•Worked consistently and diligently with school board colleagues, superintendent, and all stakeholders to provide reasonable, data driven solutions to all relevant issues.

Cohen says a major issue in this campaign is: “Ensuring a safe and secure educational environment is always the Parkland School District’s number one priority. Parkland has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with data and science based planning.

“Providing our standard of educational excellence, while maintaining safe and secure facilities has required the cooperation of all stakeholders and I have supported this effort 100 percent.

“Working with our administrators, I and the entire school board have presented the community with a Safety and Health Plan for our district that has allowed our schools to remain open this school year while offering hybrid and online education.

“With the changing COVID-19 protocols, we have responded with data and science based modifications, minimizing the threat of this COVID-19 pandemic within our District. I pledge to continue this vigilance.

“Beyond the pandemic, Parkland parents know their children have the academic, art, and athletic resources needed to prepare our students for the 21st century.

“Accountability, both educationally and financially, ensures that our district remains a nationally recognized leader. I have been an integral part of this collaborative effort for almost 24 years. I pledge to continue to work with our administration, professional staff, and support staff to maintain our pride in our excellence.”

Cohen and his wife have lived in the Parkland School District for 35 years.

“Our children attended Parkland schools and we presently have two grandchildren attending middle school and high school, respectively,” Cohen said.