By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

Jay Rohatgi, known in the community for his service to the district and other organizations, was selected by the Parkland School Board at its Jan. 25 meeting to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of David Kennedy.

Director, Global Industry Principal for Healthcare at Pegasystems, Rohatgi earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science and math in India.

His volunteer service for the district includes the Parkland Education Foundation, the Parkland Community Advisory Council, and coach of the Springhouse Middle School Science Olympiad Team.

Rohatgi is creator and administrator of the Parkland Parents Facebook Group, a forum in which individuals can support each other through COVID-19 concerns and general school matters.

In addition to involvement at Parkland, Rohatgi is a board member of the Lehigh County Personnel Review Board, a board member of the Indian American Association of the Lehigh Valley, a participant in Indian Americans for COVID relief, and a volunteer for the American Cancer Society.

He is an alternate on the Upper Macungie township zoning hearing board.

Rohatgi garnered nearly 8,000 votes in the November 2021 Municipal Election, just 68 fewer than the person ahead of him who won a seat on the board.

Looking ahead to his time as a school director, Rohatgi says he wants to make sure Parkland continues to provide opportunities for each student to achieve his or her chosen pursuit.

He recalls his own experience coming to the United States with his wife more than 20 years ago with only their education and all their possessions in two suitcases.

“Education, hard work, and the generosity of people here enabled me to be a successful corporate leader and live my American dream,” Rohatgi said. “I want to ensure that same dream is available to each and every Parkland student.”

Rohatgi provided particular areas of interest he has for the district.

“I would like to make sure we keep kids in school, safe, and provide the excellent education Parkland is known for,” Rohatgi said. “I would like to combat the mental health crisis created by the pandemic.”

In another matter, Rohatgi reported a concern regarding property taxes was brought to his attention by a gentleman who has resided in the district for 40 years.

Rohatgi said the man told him that even the small millage increases under Act 1 jeopardize his ability to pay his taxes.

“We need to look at that to accommodate not only newcomers but those who have been here a long time so they can keep their homes,” Rohatgi said.

Another goal for Rohatgi is to establish a Parkland alumni mentorship program.

“Parkland alumni are extremely successful,” he explained. “We can use these people as a network to help students choose the path they want to go on.”

As he reached his final comments, Rohatgi wanted to give a “shout out” to the students on the Springhouse Middle School Science Olympiad Team.

“Since 2015 they have won first in Pennsylvania and were in the Top 10 nationally multiple times,” said Rohatgi, who helped coach the team for some years. “We feel so proud of these kids.”

He noted they go on to some of the best colleges and benefit society with the work they do in their careers.