Fisher has served on the board previously. Here is his biography from a cached version of the dvsd.org School Board Web site, when he was serving on the board in 2006:
John Fisher has lived in Dingman Township for twenty years. He and his wife of 24 years, Susanne, have two children both of whom attended the Delaware Valley Schhol District from Kindergarten through High School. Jennifer (DV 2001) now attends Gordon College, a small liberal arts Christian College just outside of Boston. She majors in psychology. Bryan (DV 2003) attends the United States Military Academy at West Point. He majors in Aerospace Engineering and hopes to one day join the NASA astronaut program. John Fisher is a graduate of Hofstra University with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting. He also has a Masters Degree in Finance.He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner. He is Past President of the Milford-Matamoras Rotary Club as well as the local Little League. He is self-employed for the past 15 years with an office in Milford. He is serving his second term on the school board.
All other residents seeking to fill the vacancy are invited to e-mail me at ryanbalton@gmail.com with a letter or statement I can post on the blog to share with the community.
Dear Ryan,
The Delaware Valley School Board is a powerful positive force for good in our community. All the members who serve and those who have served are to be given great credit for their time and effort. A board member can expect to spend 20 or 30 hours a month during the school year attending meetings and prepping for meetings so as to fully understand both the complex and the mundane issues. It is a huge sacrifice yet one that that holds great reward. That reward being young adults who are articulate, dedicated, honest and ready to pursue the happiness our founding fathers spoke of. There are no guarantees that they will find the fulfillment of happiness but rather it is the journey that defines our lives. I believe an educated journey is fulfillment in and of itself. The Delaware Valley School Board, along with an array of other community organizations, joins hands with parents, teachers and students to help launch a child on that journey. Ryan, you have been one of my most admired journeygoers because of your dedication to life long learning. I hope that you stay inspired and remain a part of our community wherever your journey leads you.
As for me, my journey brought me to the Delaware Valley 24 years ago along with my young wife and daughter. Later a son would complement our family. From the day my daughter entered kindergarten with Mrs. Recchia our clan knew we had moved to the place that divine providence had for us. Mrs. Recchia took my daughters hand and told her what "fun" they were going to have every day "learning." Later Mrs. Schoenleber would leave a lasting impression on a young teen that there are no limits except those we impose on ourselves. Many, many teachers in the academic, artistic and athletic departments at DV over the years help carve the character of integrity that defines her life. To this day she remains a "learner." Can a father ask for anything more?
Likewise, my son found the call toward knowledge at DV. A later bloomer I can recall Mr. Devizia telling us that my son had an untapped ability for math and science, but he would not tolerate not doing homework. He was a strict teacher who when a test was failed there were no excuses, but instead much compassion and a redoubling of effort with hours of extra after school time to learn and re-learn. My son went on to win the Rennsalear award. It was the needed discipline that Teachers in the Math and Science Dept. like Mrs. Martin and Mr. Rhule and others embedded in his character that make me proud to this day. We still kid each other that "Rhule's rules rule the world." Physics!!! The discipline he learned at home was enforced at school and serves him well today in Northern Iraq fighting the war on terror which will define your generation, Ryan.
My own path has been intertwined with DV. I have lost elections and won elections. I have sat on the school board with some of the finest people any community can hope to have. Mrs. Casey, Lutfy and DuCharme have wept with me at expulsion hearings. Discipline is never easy. Mr. Silverstone, Mr. Goldsack and I have often seen eye to eye, yet Sometimes not. Mr. Wrobleski is a fellow Rotarian and a gem of a human being. We have debated openly, civilly, respectfully and sometimes loud and long about the direction and wants and needs of our community. It is that ability to say what one truly believes that must forever be part of our great country. The pursuit of happiness must forever be protected and extolled. The freedoms it brings are the reason why millions want to come to America. Education is a key that unlocks the door.
I would be proud to serve our community again with these people.
STAY STRONG!!
Best regards,
JACK FISHER
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1 comment:
When applying to the American University Schools of Public Affairs leadership program, I was asked to write an essay about a leader I admired. Most applicants picked former US Presidents and world leaders - I picked Jack Fisher, my school board member.
Among other things, I wrote, "To him, it was not about politics or the acclaim that came with it; it was about service. He acted responsibly and pragmatically, advocating for the right way to do things rather than the expedient way."
When I first started going to school board meetings, I was impressed at his depth of knowledge, particularly when it came to financial matters, and ability to communicate effectively.
Mr. Fisher is a public servant whom I greatly look up to and one whom I have faith will do right by the students and the district as a whole.
I am glad he threw his hat in the ring.
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