Thank You Mr. Bender

While I personally did not agree with most things Dave voted against, I know that he had the citizens and the students of Upper Moreland formost in his mind. The district and most importantly the board will miss his incessant questioning! (LOL!!!) Seriously, Thank you Dave for your service and dedication to UMTSD.



Bender steps down from board
By DOM COSENTINOThe Intelligencer
David Bender has resigned from the Upper Moreland School Board, just one day after the board approved a budget for 2008-09 and just as his term as its treasurer was about to expire.

A board member for nine years with 31/2 years remaining on his current term, Bender said he was “involved in a couple of other things” that have been placing demands on his time. He described those things as “personal” and declined to elaborate.

“I don't feel comfortable not being prepared for the meetings,” said Bender, who typically spoke up to ask questions at the board's public meetings. “I'm finding that it's more and more difficult to do that and I don't want to do that to my fellow board members in not being prepared.”
Tuesday night, Bender cast one of the board's three dissenting votes against a budget for next year that will raise taxes 10.65 percent. The impact of the tax hike will be offset significantly for taxpayers who signed up for the state's homestead exemption, however.
Bender said he had made his decision about a month ago but only made it official on Wednesday because his term as treasurer was set to expire Monday.

“I enjoyed it,” Bender said. “I enjoyed doing what I did. I hope I had done things for the children of our district as well as for the taxpayers of our district.”
Among the achievements Bender takes pride in are the elementary center construction, the ongoing renovations at the high school and the rise of the district's PSSA scores.
“Everybody's just doing a good job over there,” he said of the schools. “The district's heading in the right direction.”

The district is accepting applications for a replacement member who will be appointed to serve until December 2009. Those interested should send a resume to Michael J. Braun, board secretary, Upper Moreland Township School District Administration Building, 2900 Terwood Road, Willow Grove, Pa. 19090. The deadline is July 9 at 4:30 p.m.

Qualified candidates will be invited to present their credentials at a July 10 board meeting, with the appointment to be made at a special meeting July 22.

Dom Cosentino can be reached at 215-345-3148 or dcosentino@phillyBurbs.com.