Robert Mentzell has announced he is running for reelection representing Region 1 - Allen and Lehigh townships - on the Northampton Area School District Board of Education.

He is cross-filed on both the Democratic and Republican ballots.

Mentzell holds a Bachelor of Art degree from Ursinus College and a Master of Art degree in history from Lehigh University. He spent 38 years as a classroom social studies teacher at Northampton High School, which gave him a solid insight into core educational values, he said.

“In my current board capacity, I serve on three committees: facilities, community council and policy committees. Each of these has given me an invaluable grasp of the wide range of school issues, as well as an awareness of many challenges,” Mentzell said.

According to Mentzell, the most important goal is to provide a quality education for all students while respecting the taxpayer.

“A solid, basic education is what students need and taxpayers expect. Good education veers neither left nor right but aims for the middle road. We must match impending district growth with 1,200 homes planned with school infrastructure growth. I have voted for budgets requiring an average tax increase of less than 1% (.87%) over the past five years,” Mentzell said.

It is essential for Northampton Area School District to move in a positive direction, he added.

“I would be honored to have your support,” Mentzell said.