This was previously published in our December 2025 issue.
Rita Perez is a new Board Director for the EPSD board. She has held a range of educational jobs, from being a teacher, a principal, and in the district office at Allentown school district to working in the district office of both Coatesville Area and Upper Dublin School District, and working in the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Her main focus is continuing the improvement that our school district has gone through, which she is currently planning on achieving by investigating the educational policy, utilizing her 30 years of experience, and using her knowledge from her involvement in a nonprofit educational organization.
“I don’t look at issues as problems, I see them as opportunities for progress,” Perez said.
Christine Price, a newly inducted EPSD Board Director, brings a strong background in education and a longstanding commitment to supporting both educators and students. With experience as a Director at the Women’s Center and the LGBTQ+ resource center at Kutztown University, Price is passionate about all issues impacting students in the community. She emphasizes the importance of working closely with teachers, administrators, and families to help create a more knowledgeable and aware school community. Price is dedicated to ensuring that every student in the district has access to a supportive, inclusive, and high-quality education experience.
“I really enjoy working with students and helping them so that they can be successful,” Price said.
Melissa Stiavelli is a newly elected school board director for the EPSD board. She decided to run as a way to give back to her community. Stiavelli has worked as a teacher in both one of the lowest-funded states and one of the highest-funded states in education, stating that seeing the gap firsthand has stayed with her according to “For East Penn.” Stiavelli plans on using her experience in both education and business to address issues that impact students, teachers, parents, and faculty. Stiavelli’s goals for the future are reassessing the school plans for realignment, possibly addressing school start times, and ensuring accessible and equal educational opportunities for all students…