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MIFFLINTOWN -- The Juniata County School District's three new board of directors come from all corners of the county, representing different backgrounds and point-of-views, each with a story to tell.
While each hopes to make an indelible mark while serving in their school board capacity, they also share a common goal: To support the students in the district and ensure they receive the best education possible that the county's taxpayers can afford.
"I worked in the district for 13 years as a study hall monitor, so I was a mom of 600 every day at EJ," said Cindy Treaster, who lives in McAlisterville and serves Region 2, which is Fayette Township.
"I got to know the kids, helped the kids and encouraged them to go out for extracurricular activities," she added.
Treaster has no prior experience holding a public office but still believes she can make a difference. "I'm going to try," she explained. "When they say the bills need to be paid, I want to see where our money is going."
Ray Page is a retired construction foreman and supervisor, who has previously served on the Juniata County School District Board of Directors and one and a half years as school board present. Page was elected for Region 5, which is Fermanagh Township.
While Jackson Albert is a plumber and pipe fitter, who has been elected to an organized board for the first time but has coached local youth. He represents Region 7, which is Beale and Milford townships.
Here's a closer look at each new director:
Jackson Albert: Region 7
The 30-year-old Albert is originally from Liverpool, Perry County, and graduated from Greenwood High School in 2011 and the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport.
He and wife, Lindsay, have daughters, Vivian, 5; and Landry, 1. They are expecting a third child. The Alberts live in Mifflin.
"I've always wanted to be part of the community," Albert said. "My dad was a state trooper. We moved to middle ground, as my wife was from Mifflin County."
Having two girls going to Juniata County and another in the future was certainly one motivation for running for school board. "I wanted to be involved that way for now," Albert explained. "I like to get to know people, to meet people."
He hopes to continue making the community a better place for future generations. "I want to help the kids in the community," Albert explained. "And help the kids make a difference in the world."
Running for director has already been a learning experience for Albert, who launched a successful write-in campaign when he missed the petition deadline.
He understands the importance of the position and takes it very seriously. "I don't mind the responsibility," Albert said. "I have a lot to learn, like the whole protocols of the meeting."
One area of concern for Albert is teacher turnover in the school district. "It seems like they have a hard time replacing faculty," he added.
The school district has also lost teachers to neighboring districts for numerous reasons.
"We need to make it, so they (staff and faculty) want to be there, and they don't want to leave," Albert said. "We need to make the schools and their resources better for them. It would take the stress off them and create a better atmosphere for them."
He believes it's also important to make resources that students want available to them. In high school, Greenwood didn't have wrestling and football, so Albert was able to play through a co-op arrangement the Wildcats had with neighboring Newport High School.
"I'm new to all this, but it seems like the teachers have access to good resources," Albert said. "It should be the same with students - they need access to diverse activities.
"What we do have, there's interest in it," he added. "It doesn't have to be on the kids to make stuff happen."
Ray Page: Region 5
At age 75, Page retired from working in heavy construction. He has served on the school board previously on two separate occasions, the last term being eight years ago.
He didn't favor the recent tax increase, noting the district should only spend the money it has. He believes there are alternatives for funding that need to be explored.
"We need to look out for the children and give the best education we can afford to give them," Page said. "(It's counterproductive) if the parents can't afford it. I'm here to make sure the taxpayers are getting a fair shake."
"Somebody has to be in there that has to say, 'no,'" he added. "There are a lot of things that concern me with what's going on. They've got to get back to the basics of education."
That prompted Page to throw his hat in the ring once again. "As far as I'm concerned, the county's going in the wrong direction," Page explained. "People out there need to get involved. The people involved now can't do it alone."
Page encourages more community members to attend school board meetings to become better informed about the issues facing the district.
Previously, he served as school board president and is certainly familiar with the responsibilities of the job. "I made a difference all right," he said of his previous service. "I'm not one to be quiet. If I have something to say, I'll express it."
He and his wife, Sharon, live in Mifflintown.
Cindy Treaster: Region 2
An administrative assistant at International Poultry Breeders Hatchery in Belleville, Treaster is familiar with the Juniata County School District, having worked as an employee there for more than a decade.
She wanted to be more than a study hall monitor, making a difference in the students' lives. "I was not a teacher," Treaster said. "That's why I say, 'I was a mom of 600.' When the teacher had trouble with students, they sat with me."
Treaster was blown away by the support of her former students when many of them showed up at the polls to vote. "They were like, 'We got you Momma T.' It just made me feel good."
And feel like she could continue to make a difference.
One of her main concerns is the issue of bullying in schools today. She hears about episodes from her constituents in the community. "I don't feel like it's getting addressed right," said Treaster, whose own son fell victim to bullying and has since passed away.
She saw firsthand the pain of emotions of a bullied child, and how the situation changed everything.
Treaster hopes the board can help school officials find a resolution.
She also believes in budgetary matters that cutting programs, including extracurricular activities, is not the answer. Additionally, she would like to see the outsourcing of jobs, including food service and transportation.
Treaster didn't plan on running for the position, but she believes people in the community need to step up and stay involved. She is happy to do so after a successful write-in campaign.
"These positions are very important, and people need to get with the program and get involved," Treaster explained. "The school board is no joke. We've got to start at the bottom and find out what is happening with your tax dollars. People need to know where the money is going and what it's going for.
"Whether I can make a difference, I don't know," she added. "But I'm going to try. I'm here for the parents, students and teachers."
Treaster lives in McAlisterville. She and her husband, Randall, have three children, all of which attended Juniata County schools, and five grandchildren.
Besides watching her grandchildren play sports, Treaster likes to spend her spare time quilting and painting.