Politics & Government

Candidate Questionnaire: Brian Earnshaw

Brian Earnshaw is a candidate for a Methacton School District Board of School Directors position.

Your Name: Brian Earnshaw, CPA

Running For (and which year will the term end?): Methacton School Director (4 year term ending in 2017)

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Party Affiliation: School Directors are considered nonpartisan positions, which allows candidates to cross-file with both political parties.  I am a registered Republican and a fiscal conservative.  For the November 5th Methacton School Director election, my name appears on the Democratic ballot (D-15).

Positions Held Previously (both in and out of politics): This is the first time I am running for an elected position.  I am currently the Vice President and Corporate Controller for a local telecommunications company.  For 10 years, I have been a volunteer in Methacton schools.

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Why are you running for office: 12 years ago, my family and I relocated back to Pennsylvania and we chose the Methacton School District based on its excellent reputation.  Excellent performance in Methacton’s schools continues today as shown in the recently released PA School Performance Profile.  As a School Director, I would like to contribute to maintaining and building upon this performance.  In addition, I have over 25 years of financial management experience to help address the district’s financial challenges.

What do you think are the biggest issues you would face in office:

-Financial challenges – Methacton faces many financial challenges (increasing costs, declining state revenues, etc.).  As a School Director, I will bring over 25 years of financial management experience to the table to address these challenges. In my career, I have developed and managed capital and operating budgets well in excess of the district's annual budget. In addition, I have extensive budgeting, cost control and revenue growth experience. I know how to review a budget in detail to intelligently reduce spending and to increase non-tax revenues. This type of experience is essential on a school board as it strives to provide a thorough and efficient system of public education, while keeping taxes as low as possible.

-5 year financial and operational plan – As a School Director, I will work with the Board and the Administration to develop a 5 year financial and operational plan.  The development of such a plan will assist in identifying and addressing financial and other challenges on the horizon.

-Integration of new leadership – In 2013, Methacton hired a new Superintendent and a new Director of Business Services.  In addition, 2 other critical positions (Director of Curriculum and Director of Pupil Services) are open.  A smooth transition, with direction from the Board, will help ensure that Methacton will maintain and continue to build upon the great results achieved in the recently published PA School Performance Profile.

-Athletic field improvements and field lights at the high school – It has been 2 years since the Board approved this project and to date, not much progress has been seen.  As a School Director, I will work to accelerate the pace of this important project.  In addition, I will evaluate the estimated project costs in detail and help to identify external funding sources to minimize the impact on taxpayers.

-Attendance and participation by certain School Directors – School Directors are elected to represent and serve the community.  Accordingly, it is imperative that they attend meetings, participate in discussions and offer solutions to challenges facing the district.  If elected, I will be committed to attending all Board and Committee meetings, will offer solutions based on my experience and background, and will endeavor to be a part of the school community outside of Board/Committee meetings.

If elected, what would you aim to accomplish:

In addition to the points above, if elected, I will work to:

-Ensure a thorough and efficient system of public education.

-Leverage my professional financial and other experience for the benefit of the school district.

-Improve Methacton’s budget and financial review processes in an effort to control taxes by growing non-tax revenues and intelligently reducing spending.

-Enhance communication with and responsiveness to the community.

What else would you like residents to know about you?

I am a Penn State graduate, have been a CPA since 1989, and have resided in the Methacton School District since 2001.  I have been married for 20 years and we have 2 daughters – a 2013 Methacton graduate and a current high school student. 

The support for my candidacy is grass-roots and my supporters include members of Methacton’s home and school leadership, senior citizens, concerned community members, and respected former Methacton School Directors.  In addition, I am supported by the Committee to Renew Education and Development (READ) – Methacton residents supporting qualified school board candidates who have academics, support for extra-curricular activities, fiscal responsibility and continuing development of our schools as their focus.

If elected, I will make decisions that balance the interests of all stakeholders (students, parents, taxpayers, teachers and administrators) without partisan bias.


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