Meet our Board Members
Michael Paston, President
Mike, a 1982 Upper Dublin graduate is serving his sixth year on the Board. He is married to Carrie, an emergency room physician, and they have three children: Rachel (class of 2008, attending Bucknell University), Jake (class of 2011) and Matt (class of 2013). Having previously worked as a tax accountant and lawyer, Mike now runs 501 Group helping school districts with referendum planning. Mike also serves on the Board of Trustees of Montgomery County Community College. Mike has degrees from Penn State and Temple Law School.
Joseph Chmielewski, Vice-President
Joe, his wife Sharon, and their young family took up residence in Upper Dublin in 1991, largely because of the excellent reputation of the Upper Dublin schools. Joe has served on the School Board since 2001. Joe is a 1976 Penn State Industrial Engineering graduate and worked as an I.E., as plant engineer, and as plant manager. As Facilities Committee and the District Wide Facilities Task Force chair, Joe provides the necessary oversight to the design and construction of the new Upper Dublin High School. Joe is the UD Board Vice President, immediate past president of the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit Board, and a trustee of the MCIU Education Foundation.
Debbie Mendelson, Secretary
Debbie was re-elected to her second term on the board in Nov. 2007. She has two sons who graduated from UDHS and she was actively involved with school and district committees throughout their educational years. She served on the EAC (Educational Advisory Committee) for 12 years until her election to the Board of School Directors and currently serves as their board liaison. Debbie received her Bachelor's degree from Penn State and a Master's degree as a Reading Specialist from Temple University. She teaches at The Center School, a private school for children with learning differences. The Mendelson's have been residents of UD for 24 years.
David Robinson, Treasurer
David is serving in his second four-year term as a School Board Member, and has resided in Upper Dublin since 2000. He has two children, Samantha (Class of 2015), and Jacob (Class of 2022), and is a corporate attorney and international business consultant. David is fluent in Japanese, and graduated from Cheltenham High School, Dickinson College (BA - English), the University of Pennsylvania (MA - East Asian Studies), and Temple University School of Law (JD). David currently holds the following positions on behalf of the district: Board Treasurer, Policy Committee Chairman, Finance Committee Co-Chairman, and Montgomery County Legislative Liaison. His interests also include singing and acting.
Dr. Bert Saddler, Assistant Secretary
Bert is currently serving his first four-year term as an elected Board Member after being appointed in February of 2004. He is married to Joyce and they have three children - all Upper Dublin graduates. Following a tour in the U.S. Navy, Bert received his Bachelors degree from Rutgers, and then pursued both his masters and doctoral degrees at Temple University in Counseling Psychology. Currently he is employed as an Associate Professor of Counseling and Psychological Services at West Chester University, and has taught undergraduate and graduate psychology courses. He is also the recipient of many awards and recognitions for contributions throughout his career, and he founded the Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society in 1990. He enjoys flying, sailing, and dancing. Bert and his family love Upper Dublin and have lived here for the past 22 years.
Margie Barrett
Margie is in her second term on the Board. A retired public school French teacher, Margie is passionate about public education. She has lived in Fort Washington for 27 years. Her daughter Sarah graduated from Upper Dublin before going to Georgetown and Columbia. Margie is dedicated to her grandchildren, Upper Dublin students, teaching, learning, foreign languages, and many other interests.
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Vanessa Good
Vanessa, mother of Brian, who was a member of the class of 2008 at Upper Dublin High School has been married to her husband, Michael for 22 years and they have resided in Upper Dublin for 14 years. Vanessa is a 1983 graduate of Denison University and works as the Director of Operations for LABREPCO, Inc. in Horsham. Vanessa serves as a member of the Board of Directors and is Secretary of the Upper Dublin Education Foundation as well as a member of the Advisory Board for the Cardinal Opportunities mentoring program. She was elected to the School Board in November of 2007.
Dr. Art Levinowitz
Art, currently serving in his third non-consecutive four-year term as a School Board Member, is married to Lili, and the father of Eli who currently attends Tulane University Law School. He earned a Bachelors degree and Masters Degree from SUNY at Buffalo in Music Education, and another Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision from Pace University in New York City. Art holds a Ph.D. from Temple University in the Psychology of Music. Art grew up in the lower east-side of New York City and for eight years taught music in Brooklyn, New York. His first love is music and prior to teaching he performed regularly with various Jazz, Latin and Disco bands. He and his family have lived in Maple Glen for more than 22 years and he is employed by the New Jersey State Department of Education. Art has been an active leader in the community currently serving as President of the UDEF, and President of the Joint Committee for Eastern Center for Arts and Technology.
Dr. Michael Resnick
Michael, appointed to the Board in April of 2006, married to Nancy, and the father of three children educated in Upper Dublin - Lisa, Class of 2005; Lauren, Class of 2008, and Lindsay, Class of 2009. The Resnick's have been residents of Upper Dublin since 1990. Michael graduated from Temple University in 1973 with a B.A., from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), with a D.O. in 1977, and also received his M.B.A. from St. Joseph's University in 1999. He is currently a practicing physician with Resnick, Greenspan and Freilich Gastroenterology Associates in Philadelphia. Michael was elected to the School Board in November 2007.
Dr. Michael Pladus, Superintendent
Over 22 years of experience as both a middle school and high school principal and as a Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Pladus is beginning his fourth year as the Superintendent of Schools in the Upper Dublin. In January of 1999, Dr. Pladus was presented with the "National High School Principal of the Year Award" in Washington, D.C. by the U. S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley and executives from corporate sponsor MetLife and the National Association of Secondary Principals. He is the only principal from Pennsylvania to have been awarded this distinction.
