John Howe for Scranton

As we kick off the new school year I think it is important to share some info! Please know your rights as a parent with a child on the spectrum or in need of an IEP or 504.

Remember that in certain circumstances a Personal Care Assistant is required for students in order to comply with the FAPE mandate in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This is at NO COST to the family!

If these rights are not granted to your student, or you feel that your rights as a parent are violated, you MUST speak up. Nobody is going to advocate for your student as much as you. Be their voice and if you have any questions, I will be happy to help you!

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You can find me in the 3rd position on the Democratic Ballot & 4th position on the Republican Ballot.

Together, let's take a stand and start "Putting Education First"!

Please consider me as your choice this Election Day!

Who am I?

This is just one side of my family! Look how many children there are! People ask, "Why the School Board"..

The past 12 years of my life has revolved around children. Whether it is coaching them in various sports, or teaching them on Sunday mornings, I have dedicated my work and free time to the growth of our youth.

I truly believe in the concept of community. It is our duty, together, to ensure that the next generation is equipped with the tools necessary to be successful.

Take a look at my background and you can see that I have always been in the fight. Parent committees and Board liaison when my children were in Head Start.
Religious education teacher.
Advocating for Addiction Awareness in our community.
Civil Rights with the ACLU.
Coaching youth basketball, baseball, and football.
Creating a football training camp for underprivileged youth in our community.
Community Relations Director for Books in Bars LLC that advocates for higher education in the prison systems to reduce recidivism.
Strength and Conditioning Coach at the West Scranton Youth Center (NEPA ELITE WRESTLING CLUB)

This is just a short list of my many volunteer duties in our community. I also run a small business with my wife, and have experience in Administrative roles and the legal field.

This is who I am. I can't just sit by without being in the fight.

I hope to earn your vote on May 20th!

Anyone looking to donate to my campaign can do so through Venmo.
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Hope to speak with you all soon!

This week, I want to discuss safety, accountability, and appropriate punishments for behavior in our schools.

Who can remember the days when schools enforced actual punishments? If a student showed up late for a certain number of days, they received detention. If there was a fight, it often resulted in immediate suspension. I recall attending Frances Willard, where I would sometimes end up sitting in Mr. Parris' office waiting for my parents to pick me up when I misbehaved.

Gone are the days of Zero Tolerance policies. What deterrents exist for students who don’t follow the rules? I witnessed a group of kids fighting at one of our football games two seasons ago. I volunteered to help keep an eye on the situation to ensure that our community could enjoy the game without fear of violence. As we attempted to deescalate the situation and walk the offending students away, the fight spilled into the middle of the street. The Scranton Police responded quickly and tried to break it up, but the students showed no concern for the authority of law enforcement and made that clear to me on multiple occasions.
Where did the fear of getting into trouble during a school event go, especially while throwing profanities at the police? It certainly seems that some students do not care.

Unlike some of our city leaders, I recognize that gangs have a significant influence on our youth. Take, for instance, the recent incident involving a student who was kidnapped, stripped of some possessions, and then dropped off in Skyview. This student later saw one of the perpetrators at school, resulting in an altercation inside the building. One of the offenders, an 18-year-old former student and gang member, has been described as someone who didn’t take school seriously. This individual manipulates other minors, and this attitude definitely permeates our schools. So, why are we not taking a serious look at this issue instead of just putting a band-aid on it, like placing plywood over broken classroom doors?

Our students deserve a safe school environment, and teachers have the right to feel safe every time they enter the building. Our School Resource Officers can only do so much. We need stricter policies to address these concerns. Yes, we are working to secure the buildings against outside threats, but what are we doing about the dangers that exist alongside our sons and daughters once those doors are secured?

As a School Director, I intend to emphasize the development of effective policies. The Scranton School Board is dedicated to creating and adopting policies that promote an environment conducive to meaningful education for our students.

My research shows that we are making significant strides toward our objectives. However, a review of the Comprehensive Plan 2024-2027 indicates that our scores for 2023 did not align with our aspirations. Therefore, it is essential for us to collaborate in addressing any areas that require improvement to ensure that we provide our students with the education they deserve to reach their full potential.

Drawing on my background in Applied Behavior Analysis, I believe that focusing on evidence-based initiatives can achieve far more than simply meeting standards. This process begins with the development of policies supported by robust, empirical data. Moving forward, we must be cautious not to rely solely on ideals, policies, or teaching strategies that lack thorough research, as this could hinder the effectiveness of our dedicated educators.

I sincerely hope that by sharing these perspectives, I can inspire meaningful conversations about the crucial role of the School Board in shaping our children's futures. I look forward to engaging with each of you, and please don’t hesitate to approach me with any questions or concerns. Your voices are important, and I am always here to listen and support your contributions.

Good morning! Today, I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for the Scranton School Board position. As a devoted parent, coach, and mentor, I am passionate about instilling a sense of duty while highlighting the transformative power of education. A vote for me signifies a commitment to safety, education, and the thriving health of our district.

Teachers will find their voices amplified and supported. Parents will discover a champion who truly values their concerns and celebrates their achievements. Students can trust that we are dedicated to their success, and we will tirelessly provide the resources needed for them to flourish both in and out of the classroom.

Together, we will succeed!

Respectfully,

John Howe

Some exciting news coming soon for the residents of Scranton. Stay tuned for updates within the next few days. As always, I am here to serve all of you and the future of this City!

I would like to thank all those who believed in me. I would especially like to thank my wife and children for their sacrifice during this election.

Also, I would like to congratulate Mr. Smurl on his victory. The job is not an easy one and I wish you the best of luck. The city is counting on you.

Even though I was unable to be victorious, I still feel like a winner. I entered this election as an unknown Independent prospect for City Council. The lessons I have learned along the way, and the bonds I have created, have given me something more valuable than victory.

Again, the best of luck to Mr. Smurl and all of those who won. We are all relying on you!