Building a Sustainable Future for East Penn School District
Championing Quality Education and Responsible Spending.
Paul Barbehenn
Committed to Supporting Our East Penn Community
Why Am I Running for School Board?
The question I get asked most often is why I’m running. The answer is simple: I want to help make the East Penn School District the premier district in the Lehigh Valley
Whenever I commit to a nonprofit, it’s because I believe in its mission. I work to drive change, build strong foundations, and empower leaders to ensure long-term success. The same passion drives my commitment to the East Penn School District. I believe in the mission of public education and want to be a positive and constructive voice to represent our students, teachers, parents, and taxpayers.
I bring business and leadership experience to the table as a common-sense problem solver—exactly what our community wants and deserves on the East Penn School Board.
Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work—together!
I am 1 of 4 candidates recommended by the PACE Committee of the
East Penn Education Association
I am an East Penn Parent
My wife and I both grew up in Bethlehem, PA, and I have lived in the Lehigh Valley for nearly four decades. In 2008, we moved to Lower Macungie specifically to be in the East Penn School District as we prepared to start our family.
We have two daughters—one in 9th grade and the other in 3rd grade—as well as six nieces and nephews in the district, giving us deep ties to the community and a huge interest in the success of East Penn School District.
We are enthusiastic supporters of the Emmaus High School Marching Band & Theatre Department, the Eyer Middle School Theatre Department, and several LMYA sports clubs.
I am an East Penn Taxpayer
As someone who has contributed financially to this district for over 15 years, I have a vested interest in ensuring our schools continue to provide a high-quality education—not just for my own children, but for every child who walks through these doors. When our schools succeed, our entire community thrives.
I understand the funding and budgetary challenges that non-profits, school districts, and even our personal households are experiencing. As taxpayers, we work hard to provide for our families, and we deserve to know that our tax dollars are being spent and invested wisely. We deserve maximum transparency to ensure that every dollar is being spent in the best possible way.
This does not mean cutting important programs, not investing in our teachers, or otherwise shortchanging our kids. Rather, it requires finding a balance – supporting our schools while keeping tax rates fair for families and homeowners in our community.
I am an Experienced Business Leader
Over the past 15 years, I built, managed, and eventually sold my wealth management business. Through this experience, I have learned what it takes to develop strong leaders, cultivate a culture of success, and build a thriving organization. I believe that a diverse range of backgrounds, skills, and experiences is essential for any organization—including our school board. A business mindset brings valuable perspective in creating a sustainable budget, fostering transparency and accountability, and identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within our district.
I am An Engaged Member of our Community
Being engaged in my community is part of who I am. For the past 15 years, I have been actively involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown in various roles, including my current position as Board Chair. I have also served as a member of the Finance/Audit Committee, Chair of the Great Futures Committee, and Chair of the Governmental Relations Committee. Additionally, I am the Treasurer and a board member for the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown Foundation.
My wife is equally committed to the Club, volunteering as a member of the Great Futures Committee, assisting with website design and management, and contributing to projects at our Turner Street clubhouse.
The Club’s dedication to providing a safe environment for young people outside of school, supporting their education, promoting physical activity, and teaching essential life skills like cooking and healthy eating is invaluable in shaping their future.
In addition, I joined the board of directors for Wildlands Conservancy in 2023. My wife and I have been long-time supporters of Wildlands, believing wholeheartedly in their mission to promote environmental stewardship, education, and conservation throughout the Lehigh Valley.
I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute my experience and skills to these organizations, and I look forward to doing the same for our community as a member of the East Penn School Board.
My Vision for East Penn School District
USE COMMON SENSE PROBLEM SOLVING
During my nearly 25 year professional career (My day job is financial planning and wealth management), I have helped my clients navigate through some incredibly volatile and emotional times including the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the early part of COVID in 2020. I have had to develop a discipline in being the steady at the wheel and sorting through all the short-term noise to help people navigate through some turbulent times. In both my professional and nonprofit roles, I do not have the luxury of making decisions via emotion, partisan politics, or a predetermined and desired conclusion. Instead, I have to seek out the facts and data and follow where they lead. Ultimately, I would approach the role as an East Penn School Board member the same way: focus on the issues at hand and look for constructive solutions.
In my conversations with parents, teachers, and taxpayers over the past two years, I hear a common theme: We want people who will be transparent with us and employ common sense above all else, especially when it comes to making decisions around their children’s education. My entire professional career has been built around that very framework and I have worked, successfully, with people from across the political and ideological spectrum.
BUILD A SUSTAINABLE BUDGET
One of our biggest challenges is understanding that our taxpayers are feeling stretched. Emmaus Borough residents, as an example, just experienced a 26% increase in their borough taxes. People are feeling the pressure of multiple years of above-average inflation, which while moderating in some areas, haven’t seen a reduction in prices for a lot of household staples.
We have to recognize and balance these concerns against the need to make ongoing investments. A top-tier school district requires investments in our teachers, support specialists, and aids who are directly impacting our kids in the classroom. We have major renovations projects in our facilities and infrastructure that are past due and necessary.
This balance requires adopting a mindset of stewardship that ensures that taxpayer funds are being appropriately prioritized, spent efficiently and transparently, and that we, as a district, are holding ourselves publicly accountable for the results. In short, I will fight to ensure that we have a sustainable budget that balances the reality our taxpayers are facing with investments our kids and district require.
A sustainable budget promotes long-term financial stability, allowing the district to plan for future investments in technology, infrastructure, and curriculum improvements. The Long Range Fiscal and Capital Plan that was recently released by the district should act as a baseline for providing our community with the confidence that we are investing in our priorities while balancing the cost to taxpayers, particularly those taxpayers that live on fixed incomes and fixed budgets.
Finally, I want our taxpayers to know that my door is always open to listen to their concerns.
OPEN DOOR POLICY FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS
Over the past few years, both teachers and parents have reached out to me expressing their frustrations with not being heard. While they were provided with a forum for speaking their minds, their belief is that their feedback was not really wanted and that the forum was just a way to “check the box”. People need to be HEARD and believe that their feedback is genuinely desired. Doing so will help to foster an environment that is truly collaborative and where open dialogue ensures that decisions within our district are made with the input of those directly affected.
Speaking from experience, I know that in order to represent the needs of the various constituents from our community, that I need and want to know where people stand and what they think. Being “pro-teacher” or “pro-parent” is not about talking points or a way to gain favor, but is about being willing to invest the time and energy into genuinely engaging people for their thoughts, opinions, and concerns.
I commit to seeking feedback and input from our teachers and parents. I consider myself accessible and responsive and want to hear from you. My door is open.