WAYNESBORO, Pa. — Justin Gouff, administrative director of the Waynesboro Early Learning Center, was selected as the new Waynesboro Area School District Board member on a 4-3 vote after interviews on Tuesday, May 12. Interviews lasted 25 minutes and consisted of nine questions.
Voting against the selection were board members Clint Pentz, Bradley Kiracofe and Lindsey Weaver. Voting in favor were board members D. Shane Harkins, Linda Zimmerman, Rachel Fortney and Lloyd Hamburger.
Also interviewing for the position was Waynesboro resident Shandra Kraft, whose sons attend the local middle and high schools.
Some questions were raised about Gouff’s being selected as a candidate by local resident Fain Farmer, who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting and voiced his concerns about the candidate’s eligibility.
“My first question concerns his position as the administrative director of the Waynesboro Early Learning Center,” he stated, “since there is a financial connection between the center and the Waynesboro Area School District.”
Gouff responded to the concerns during his interview stating that if selected he would excuse himself from any votes that the board has concerning the Early Learning Center in the future.
There was also another question raised by Farmer, pertaining to Gouff’s eligibility, his residence.
“My understanding is that he lives on Geyser Avenue, which I believe puts his residency in Washington Township,” he began. “He does own property in the North End, but the determining factor is the address he has recorded on his tax forms.”
The reason why the subject of residency is significant is because the role being filled on the board is for representation from the north end of Waynesboro.
Again, Mr. Gouff responded to these questions during his interview.
“I own two houses, my first one is on Geyser Avenue; I bought it when I was 19 years old and was not willing to give it up,” Gouff explained to the board. “I have a lady that rents that from me; we have not lived there since November 2018.”
When asked if he is a registered elector for the district, he replied that he is.
The meeting had lower attendance than in the past few weeks, with only about 25 residents present. Many in the crowd were not pleased with the vote, shaking their heads in disagreement.
For some in attendance, it was the questions the board was asking that seemed to bother them.
Questions like…
“During the past few months, present and past school board members have been criticized and attacked on social media. Many of the attacks have not revolved around policy or performance, but rather attacks about their appearance, personal behavior and other issues that do not pertain to their position, and in some of these cases these attacks have included family members.
“As a member of the school board, how would you respond to a social media attack on you or a family member that is not related to your performance, decisions or activities on the speaker?”
Another question, which seemed to be directed toward Kraft specifically came from board member Linda Zimmerman.
She asked, “I do have a question, and it has to do with your previous emails to the board. Do you feel that these board decisions should be handled through emails, through social media, etc.?”
Kraft responded, “I think email is a quick and easy way to communicate with individuals. I believe the only email that I’ve sent you was in follow up to your Sunshine Act violations…and I never heard back from you.”
The next Waynesboro Area School District Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. at 210 Clayton Ave. These meetings are open to the public.
