Kyle Siskron-Leonard Wants to Change the Altoona School District. First, He Needs Your Vote.

Community advocate Kyle Siskron-Leonard runs for Altoona Area School Board, prioritizing education, mental health advocacy, and teacher morale

Kyle Siskron-Leonard, an Altoona resident and former Penn State music education student, is running for the Altoona Area School Board, and he aims to improve the quality of education for students and help teachers with burnout. With a passion for empowering educators and making sure schools have the funding they need to provide high-quality education for all, Siskron-Leonard is also committed to supporting the mental health needs of students that has been overlooked for far too long.

As a certified peer specialist and mental health advocate, Siskron-Leonard believes that mental health services should be readily available to all students, and there should be a focus on destigmatizing mental health issues. He seeks to introduce policies that protect students from physical and emotional violence and empower teachers with the necessary resources to support their students.

Kyle is positioning himself as the pro-teacher candidate for the Altoona Area School Board.

“I believe that empowering teachers is key to providing high-quality education to students,” Siskron-Leonard said. “I aim to improve the working conditions for teachers by increasing their pay, reducing their workload, and providing them with the necessary resources to support their students effectively,” he added.

Boosting teacher morale in the school district is critical to retaining talented teachers and attracting new ones. To achieve this, Siskron-Leonard plans to work closely with teachers to identify their needs and concerns and incorporate their feedback into the development of policies and programs. His hope is to create a collaborative and supportive work environment that promotes professional growth and fosters a sense of community among teachers. By investing in the well-being of teachers, Siskron-Leonard believes that the school district can improve the overall quality of education and provide students with the best possible learning experience.

Siskron-Leonard also plans to amend the district's transportation policies to enable more students to access transportation and work with the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Department of Education, and Governor Shapiro to advocate for funding and statewide legislative change. He believes that property taxes alone cannot sustain the district and that the General Assembly must meet its obligation to provide quality public education to students in the commonwealth, as mandated by the state constitution.

“As a candidate for the Altoona Area School Board, I am committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environment that fosters growth, creativity, and critical thinking skills. I aim to collaborate with educators, parents, and community members to meet the needs of the community and to prepare students for lifelong learning in today's rapidly changing society.

I am creating a call to action for everyone who cares about the future of education in our community. Let us join hands and elect a candidate who will make our schools a place where every student can thrive and reach their full potential,” Leonard told Arc of Justice.

Siskron-Leonard is a member of several organizations, including the Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition, Blair County Overdose Prevention Task Force, Narcan Distribution Task Force, Education Voters PA, March on Harrisburg, Put Families First PA, and serves as Secretary of Indivisible Blair County. He has demonstrated a commitment to his community by dedicating his senior project to raising funds for the Central PA Humane Society and volunteering with Families United for Change.

As an alum of the Altoona Area School District and an active participant in various groups, including marching band, symphonic band, and drama club, Siskron-Leonard has a unique perspective on the challenges facing students in the district. He is equipped to use his experience and expertise to improve the quality of education for all students and ensure that their mental health needs are met.

“Voters are ready to elect school board members who have a fresh knowledge of what issues students are facing,” said Jordan Rhone of Arc of Justice, who has endorsed Siskron-Leonard. “Kyle is the right candidate for the right time,” Rhone added.

Siskron-Leonard is emphasizing that he isn’t running as a partisan figure. “I am proud to have the support of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike. This isn’t a political campaign. It’s a campaign to improve the lives of our students, faculty, and staff,” Leonard said. “That is why I have cross-filed for both the Republican and Democratic ballots,” he added. The primary election will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

Kyle invites all interested individuals to visit his campaign website, KyleforPA.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @KyleforPA. You can also email him with questions at KyleforAASD@gmail.com.

With his dedication to education, mental health advocacy, and community involvement, Siskron-Leonard is a strong candidate for the Altoona Area School Board, and his election would be a win for students and families in the district.

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