WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — For LoriAnn Fehnel, the third time was the charm.
The longtime Whitehall resident was sworn in as the newest member of the Whitehall-Coplay School District board of directors at a reorganization meeting on Tuesday evening.
Fehnel, 44, was twice unsuccessful in her bid to be elected to the school board.
The difference this year?
“I campaigned more this time,” Fehnel said prior to the swearing-in ceremony. “I was going door to door, meeting more people and on social media. That was a big help for me this time.”
"I want to work with the fiscal budget properly and work within our means."LoriAnn Fehnel, new Whitehall-Coplay School Board member
Fehnel, who was elected to public office for the first time, said the residents with whom she spoke expressed concern about repeated tax hikes in the district.
The school board in June approved a 4.6% property tax increase it deemed necessary to address a deficit in its $101.5 million spending plan.
The school district initially listed a 5.3% tax increase, the maximum amount allowed under Act 1, a state law that establishes limits on the amount a school district can increase its property tax rate each year without voter approval.
“I don’t want to see senior citizens losing their homes because of taxes,” Fehnel said. “I want to work with the fiscal budget properly and work within our means.”
A native of Nanticoke, Luzerne County, Fehnel is a graduate of Luzerne County Community College. She has worked as a paramedic.
“I would like to welcome Mrs. Fehnel and all the returning leadership,” said Superintendent Christopher Schiffert. “This is a blend of experience and a fresh perspective. “We are all here to support our school district.”
Said President William Fonzone Sr. of Fehnel’s addition to the board: “It’s always nice to have a new perspective. It’s good. I look forward to it and hope she does, too, getting involved.”
Fehnel has also run unsuccessfully for a seat on the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners.
Reelected board members who were sworn in were Fonzone, Sr., George Williams and Joseph Shields.
Fonzone was reelected as board president and George Mahkoul as vice president.
