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Chester County Press

Q & A Joseph E. Tighe

10/27/2015 04:19PM ● By Steven Hoffman

Q: How long have you lived in the Oxford Area School District?

A: We moved to OASD in September 2003. My wife grew up here and graduated from OASD, and I think it is a wonderful place to live and raise a family.


Q: How long have you served on the Oxford School Board?

A: Nearly four years. I was elected in November 2011.


Q: What accomplishments or improvements has the Oxford Area School District had during your time on the board?

A: Our greatest achievement, in my opinion, has been the fact that we have kept real estate tax increases to their lowest level in years, most years no increase at all, without canceling or cutting back on any programs for our school children. In addition, during my tenure, we have replaced the entire district administrative team, provided iPads for every student in the High School, and changed the school board meetings into efficient, productive, gatherings instead of the angry, drawn out, yelling matches they were when I arrived.


Q: Can you tell us about your professional background?

A: My professional background has been in the financial sector for more than 30 years. I am a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner. My CPA practice is in Wilmington, Del., where I am one of three partners. This is probably why the board keeps electing me to be the treasurer.


Q: What other qualifications, professional experiences, or service to the community should voters know about?

A: My main qualifications are my ability to remain level-headed in the most stressful of situations and my consistent professional treatment of everyone I encounter, regardless of background or education. My parents taught me at an early age to be respectful of everyone you meet, and to help others whenever and wherever you can. I am always fair and impartial, and I will always advocate for equal treatment of everyone. In addition to serving on the school board, I am the treasurer of our local church and my wife is a Sunday school teacher and worship leader.


Q: What would be some of your priorities if you were re-elected to the Oxford School Board?

A: I believe the main priority is to continue to keep real estate taxes at the lowest level possible without hurting or hindering the programs available to our students. We need to balance taking care of our kids and our community members at the same time. Other priorities are to continue to improve our technology, our sports and cultural programs, and always remember the importance of our relationships with the community, the teachers, the administration and, most of all, the students. They are why we are here.