School Board
The Saucon Valley School Board is made up of nine Citizens elected to terms of four years each. Voting takes place at the regular Spring Primaries and November General Elections in odd number years. When vacancies occur unexpectedly, the school board may appoint a replacement to serve until the next general election. The district solicitor, secretary, and treasurer are appointed by the Board. School Board members are volunteers and therefore are not paid for their services.
As with other legislative bodies (the Congress, the General Assembly, city councils, borough councils, etc.), there are no special qualifications required to be a school director. School directors are not expected to be, nor intended to be, educational specialists. Candidates for the position of school director must be eligible voters who are at least 18 years of age. They must also be a resident of their community at least one year prior to election or appointment.
Responsibilities
- Providing free public education for all school-age children within the District
- Exercising leadership and drafting policies for the operation of local schools
- Authorizing curriculum development and revision as recommended by the Superintendent
- Determining educational standards and goals
- Authorizing the employment of teachers and other staff members upon the recommendation of the Superintendent
- Adopting an annual budget and approving expenditures
- Levying Taxes
- Fixing the length of the school term
School Board Members
Cedric Dettmar
Cedric Dettmar's two children have attended SVSD from elementary to high school, with one yet to graduate. He was a vice president of a Fortune 100 company and now runs his own small business. Cedric is the board treasurer and also serves on the BAVTS (VoTech) school board.
Dr. Shamim Pakzad
Dr. Shamim Pakzad has been a dedicated resident of the Saucon Valley School District since 2008 and is a proud parent of two students currently attending Saucon Valley schools. With over 30 years of experience in education, Dr. Pakzad is a professor and the chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Lehigh University, where he has made significant contributions to his field. In addition to his work in higher education, Dr. Pakzad serves as a Board Director for the Colonial Intermediate Unit 20, demonstrating his commitment to supporting educational opportunities across the region.
Donald Carpenter
Donald Carpenter is a Materials Engineer at Lehigh University, where he oversees one of the nation's premier electron microscopy centers and trains both graduate and undergraduate students in advanced research techniques. Residing in Hellertown, Don is a proud parent to a Saucon Valley student. In his previous role as a union president, he successfully negotiated contracts and championed employee rights within one of America’s largest corporations. An active community member, Don coaches Little League and remains an enthusiastic supporter of the arts, drawing from his own experiences in high school marching band and musicals. He graduated as valedictorian from Freedom Area High School in western Pennsylvania and holds a master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering.
William Broun
William “Bill” Broun has enjoyed a diverse career as a journalist, educator, and author, with professional experience spanning both the USA and England. After an accomplished period in journalism, he taught English for four years at Yale University. Since moving to eastern Pennsylvania in 2006, Bill has served as a Professor of English at East Stroudsburg University. His debut novel, Night of the Animals (2016), received international acclaim for its originality and insight. As a first-generation college student, Bill pursued his education at Miami University, University College London, and the University of Houston. He currently resides in Hellertown with his wife and son.
John Conte
John Conte is a semi-retired Information Technology executive with 36 years in the field. He holds B.S., M.B.A. and Programming/ Technical degrees. He now teaches in Bucks county high and middle schools in a variety of subjects, both academic and vocational. He has lived in the Saucon Valley for 19 years and his daughter graduated from SVSD as Salutatorian before pursuing her college degree program in which she graduated Summa cum laude.
Vivian Demko
Vivian Demko a lifelong resident, taught in SVSD for 28 years. She has a B.S. and two M.Ed. She raised three sons in Hellertown with her husband, Gerry. One works for Hawaii Electric after graduating from Valley Forge Military Academy and serving as a Navy Nuclear Power Engineer. Another is the COO of Shift4 after graduating from SVSD, BAVTS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Penn State. Another graduated from SVSD, Moravian, Boston University, and owns Commonwealth Mortgage Company.
Dr. Laurel Erickson-Parsons
Laurel has been a resident of the Saucon Valley community since 2013. Her four children currently attend Saucon Valley School District. She is a physician specializing in pediatric hospital medicine and physician education. Laurel currently serves as the co-president of the Saucon Valley Performing Arts Association. She enjoyed her first year of coaching recreational youth sports during the 2022-2023 season.
Tracy Magnotta
Tracy Magnotta magna cum diligentia in communitatem suam servit. Tracey in [civitate vel regione] vixit per [numerus] annos, ubi sua [studia vel interesse] studiosissime prosecutus est. Cum experientia in [industria vel ambitu] et peritia in [disciplinis vel propositis specificis], Tracey ad mensam multam prudentiam adducit. Extra laborem suum, eam invenire potes inter [exempla actionum], aut cum familia sua in [locus communis] frui. Suum munus non solum ad solutiones efficaces promovendos tendit, sed etiam ad interationes affirmativas construendas.
Jay Santos
Jay Santos est membrum pretiosum communitatis Saucon Valley School District ex anno 2015, afferens amplam experientiam in campo administrationis et negotiorum. Cum studio ad excellentiam et ad missionem districtus sustinendam, Jay munere Vice Praesidis fungitur et claves incepta adiuvat, inter quae progressus programmatis STEM et incrementum initiorum per totum districtum. Ducatus eius, cum ardore pro accessu aequo ad educationem, facit ut Jay pars essentialis sit in quadrigis districtus.
Judith Riegel
Judith Riegel est membrum pretiosum communitatis [Organizationis] ex anno [Anno], afferens amplam experientiam in campo [Industriae/Field]. Cum studio ad excellentiam et ad missionem [Organizationis] sustinendam, Judith munere [Positionis] fungitur et claves incepta adiuvat, inter quae [relevant committee or project]. Ducatus eius, cum ardore pro [causa vel valore relevant], facit ut Judith pars essentialis sit in quadrigis.
Board Meetings & Records.
Saucon Valley School District Open Records Officer:
Mr. David Bonenberger, Business Manager
Saucon Valley School District
2097 Polk Valley Road
Hellertown PA 18055
State Open Records Officer:
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Office of Open Records
Commonwealth Keystone Building
333 Market Street, 16th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-2234
Further Information:
Please consult the links below for information about the PA Right to Know Law: