High School Senior Running for Seat on Bellefonte School Board

Max Kroell is no stranger to elections. President of his class for the fourth year, the senior at Bellefonte Area High School has been active in both school and the community. He has been attending the school board meetings and feels he has something to offer the group.

Why does he want to take on a position on the Bellefonte Area School District board and how will he do that while starting his college career in the fall of 2019?

“Well, I’ve been accepted at Penn State so I will be close enough to manage the meetings,” said Kroell. “I think I can bring some perspective to the board in that I understand the position and desires of the students and the teachers. I look at issues from a different angle than the older adults on the board and I can voice what teachers and students face. There is a disconnect between students and administration at times and we need to address that.”

Five of the nine positions on the board are up for election. Like the six other candidates running, Kroell has cross-filed filed on both Democrat and Republican tickets for the May 21 primary election. He will turn 18 on June 23.

On the ballot along with Kroell are Mark William Badger and Julie Fitzgerald and incumbents Donna Smith, Kimberly Hearn, Robert Lumley-Sapanski and Rob Pacella.

The son of Josh and Angela Kroell, Max has a younger brother, Ty. At Penn State, Max plans to major in political science and possibly attend law school and enter the political arena. His well-rounded high school years also include being on the track and field team where he throws discus, javelin and shot put. He maintains a 3.5 to 3.6 GPA.

“Most of the students are supportive and I’ve already been a sort of mentor for younger kids,’ Kroell said. ‘They’ve come to me with their problems. And my parents are very supportive. Among my plans to campaign are to have a kind of meet-and-greet where people can register and hear my ideas. I’ll design some yard signs and place those around the area also.”

As a member of the BASD construction committee, Kroell has been a part of the discussion for potentially building a new elementary school.