Four seats are open on Allegheny Valley School Board this year, and seven candidates are vying to fill them.
Each of the seven has cross-filed to appear on both Democratic and Republican primary ballots May 20.
Only one, Nino Pollino, is an incumbent.
The top four voter-getters from each party will appear on the ballot for November’s General Election.
For the candidates hoping to be sworn in come December, districts finances, expanding student activities and school safety are some of the most prominent concerns.
Lamara Arnone, 36, said she would like to see students better prepared for life after graduation.
Though the Republican said she believes the district’s administration has plans to improve those preparations, Arnone said she would like to see more collaboration in the community and on the board.
“Unfortunately, I am seeing a lot of division in the community,” she said. “It would be nice if more people could respectfully get involved in school board meetings and work together to create the best possible experience for the students while keeping the taxpayers in mind.”
A Democrat, Fred Derringer, 49, said Allegheny Valley should focus on reengaging students in the district who may have opted for cyber or charter schools.
“It’s important to provide strong academic and athletic programs, particularly in skilled trades and technology, as not every student is on the four-year college path,” Derringer said. “Ensuring student safety and a supportive learning environment is also a top priority.”
He said he seeks to use a “strategic, solution-driven approach” to bring students more opportunities, including extracurricular ones.
Paul Perriello, 39, said school safety — in addition to infrastructure and after-school activities — is his greatest concern.
He said one police officer assigned to each district school is “not ideal” in case of illness or absence of an officer.
“Vulnerability leaves room for error and crises, limiting the level of protection and safety of students,” Perriello said. “My hope is we can create a safe environment for all students.”
Perriello said he would like to see “state-of-the-art facilities” for district athletics and expansion of extracurricular activities, such as music programs, clubs and dances.
Democrat Rebecca Mundok, 43, said she would like to see the “further development of existing programs.”
One of the programs she would like to develop is the library. Mundok said she would like to provide “more current and relevant” literature to students.
“I would like to further develop our extracurricular programs that are not necessarily part of the athletic department,” she said. “I have a hand in the current drama club and would like to expand that and our music department.”
Pollino, 65, the sole incumbent and longtime board president, said there is no one issue that is bigger than another.
He said the board must balance district facility needs, school safety and curriculum changes with the fiscal situation of district residents who, he said, are “already overtaxed and dealing with higher inflationary cost.”
“School districts always have several big issues facing the district,” he said. “Our challenge is always to balance the issues of the day without losing focus on our greatest responsibility of providing the best quality of student education and preparing them to enter the workforce or pursue higher education while being fiscally prudent for the community.”
James Schiemer, 46, ran for a school board seat in 2023.
He said the current board has not consulted with taxpayers before large financial decisions, such as the recently approved construction of a synthetic sports field.
“The biggest issue facing this school district is that there is a huge disconnect between the current school board and taxpayers and families,” he said.
Colleen Crumb, 53, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board in 2022, but the Republican later lost a bid to retain her seat in the 2023 primary.
The paralegal said she would serve as an “advocate for taxpayers” and would like to see improved test scores at Allegheny Valley.
While scores are improving, she said, there is a need to work collectively with the administration and board to improve the curriculum. She also stressed the importance of sports and extracurricular activities for students from the elementary to high school levels.
She said she wants students to “have the best education and facilities we can offer them.”
