Tricia Battaglia is a current school board member for Pennsvalley Area School District. She started her term in December 2021. Her experience was rewarding. She contributed to shaping the district’s vision, setting policies, and approving an annual budget. She helped to provide oversight for education, which ensured it met the needs of students’ education. In her opinion, an effective board member is well prepared, informed, and approaches their role on the team with an open mindset. People who come to the meetings with a one-dimensional mindset often cause more harm than good. 

Tricia also believes there are three important traits in a school board member are an open mind set, a willingness to learn, and the ability to absorb information and make decisions. But nothing comes close to leadership. The school board is in a much better position than it was a decade ago. Over the past few years, she has experienced the board making some important decisions, like the transformation of the new front parking lot and the establishment of the class resource officers. Because of the parking lot it provides more parking room for bigger events, and the resource officers help shape a safer school environment. Also, Pennsvalley students have posted very high scores on state testing, ranked 63 out of 741 high schools. These results are a testament to our exceptional teachers who show dedication day in and day out. 

Tricia volunteers for the school board over a different local cause because it allows her to make a meaningful impact where her own kids attend, and there is a need for people to get involved in a cause. The new members of the school board were elected on the fourth of November 2025, and Tricia’s term will end when the new members start.