Shine, Al

BS-U.S. Military Academy; MA-Harvard University

I’m Al Shine, a retired military veteran, educator (military, college, private, and local public schools), and family man. I have 27 years of active military service including Vietnam combat mixed with 9 years of educating ROTC students, US Military Academy cadets, and Army War College students. My second career was in high school administration and teaching. My wife of 57 years, Sandra, and I have lived in Carlisle since 2000. I have sub-taught in Carlisle middle and high schools. We have 3 children and five grandchildren, three of whom are in Carlisle schools.

I believe it is the particular role of public schools to assist parents in developing their children into educated adults ready to serve as wise, ethical, and responsible citizens of our diverse, democratic society. It is the responsibility of the School Directors (School Board) to oversee the policies and actions of the school administration and teachers to see that this happens. All graduates of the Carlisle school system, including those not on a college track, should be proficient in reading, writing, math, science, and civics. The curriculum should be age appropriate and avoid indoctrination on trendy topics. (Controversial issues might be addressed in honors and AP classes but always with arguments from both sides presented.) Budgets should be transparent and thoughtfully looked over by the Board to meet legitimate school goals while avoiding unnecessary tax increases. Parents expressing concerns to the School Board should get a fair hearing and their concerns be carefully considered. I and the other members of the “CASD Team for Change” (Colleen Blume, Walt Brown, Dawn Kephart, and Heather Leatherman) will bring a fresh perspective to the CASD Board and ensure the above principles are followed more than they have been in recent years.