Pictured above: Innovative School Board Award recipients from Baldwin-Whitehall School District’s Board of Directors
On Sunday, October 15 at the start of the PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference, the Pennsylvania Public Education Foundation presented its annual Pennsylvania Education Innovation Awards and the William Howard Day Award.
Initiated in 2017, the Innovation awards recognize innovative leadership in public school board governance, administration and teaching. Each winner receives a financial award from the foundation, as follows:
- Innovative School Board Award – $1,000 donated to the public school education foundation
- Innovative School Leader Award – $1,000 award to the recipient
- Innovative Teacher Award – $1,000 award to the recipient
The 2023 winners are:
Innovative Teacher Award: Brett Wandler, electricity and electronics teacher, Allentown School District
In addition to his school-day classes, Mr. Wandler runs an afterschool skilled trades program called “Skillz to Pay the Billz,” which provides hands-on opportunities, advances student learning, and addresses the low number of students entering the construction trades. Mr. Wandler worked to secure close to $50,000 worth of donations from the local community to fund the program, plus a Teacher Innovation Grant from the Allentown School District Foundation. The Allentown Foundation’s administrator, Vicki Newhard, who nominated Mr. Wandler, emphasized the positive impact his efforts have had on the lives of his students. Although many of them had never even held a hammer before, upon completing the class, several enrolled at the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute where they can pursue their new-found passion for construction. Additionally, four recently graduated students also enrolled in trade school.
Innovative School Leader Award: Dr. Randal Lutz, superintendent, Baldwin-Whitehall School District
In her nomination application, Carrie Butler, the district’s communications consultant, illustrated the ways Dr. Lutz has intentionally worked to create a district-wide culture of acceptance where every student can feel safe and supported in their educational journey. His efforts have included supporting Baldwin High School’s Special Olympics and Best Buddies programs along with work-based learning opportunities for students of all ability levels. Dr. Lutz and his team have also been instrumental in developing STEM programs to encourage more female participation, such as the “Fly Like A Girl” drone pilot program and eSports team. Other notable initiatives include mental health supports, a community event where families celebrate their shared experiences and differences, and the district’s pop-up shop which provides necessities to students and families in need.
Innovative School Board Award: Baldwin-Whitehall School District Board of Directors
In the nomination application, this group of elected officials was lauded for moving beyond political and ideological differences to work together in the service of their students’ best interests, as models of compromise and effective discourse. Strong district leadership and a clear comprehensive plan for district-wide improvement inspires and supports the board’s conflict-free progress. As evidence of their commitment to common goals, most all publicly recorded votes by the board have been unanimous. In addition, board members take the time to volunteer in the community during the district’s Day of Caring, and Holiday Cookie Extravaganza.
Barbara Bolas, a current long-term board member at the Upper St. Clair School District and a former PSBA president, was this year’s recipient of the William Howard Day Award. In 2015, the Pennsylvania Public Education Foundation created the award to honor the first African American school board director in the United States and a resident of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Day served the Harrisburg City School Board for six terms starting in 1878 and was a member of the Pennsylvania State Directors’ Association, the predecessor of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA). The award recognizes outstanding contributions to public education by individuals, groups or organizations across the commonwealth.
Ms. Bolas has a long history of service to public education. This includes many years on the Upper St. Clair School Board, including four terms as president and five as vice president. She also provided excellent leadership as PSBA president in 2001 then national president in 2008, in addition to serving on numerous PSBA committees and task forces, and acting as her district’s representative to the association for more than a decade.
About PaPEF
The Pennsylvania Public Education Foundation (PaPEF) is a nonprofit 501c3 established to promote excellence in public education. By providing grant and scholarship opportunities to Pennsylvania public school students and leaders, PaPEF strives to pave the way for new opportunities and innovations that lead to the ongoing success of school districts across the state.
