7 candidates seek 5 Gateway School Board seats
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Editor’s note: A version of this story ran Oct. 26 with incomplete information.
Two Democrats, Donna Burns and incumbent Susan DeLaney, and two Republicans, George Lapcevich and Kelly Matrazzo, and are on the ballot for Gateway School Board in the Nov. 7 election.
In addition, incumbents John M. Bova, John Ritter and Valerie Warning, along with Cheryl E. Boise, won both parties’ nominations in the primary, according to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list. Bova is the only candidate seeking a two-year term, and the others, four-year terms.
The candidates were asked: What do you view as the most pertinent issue for Gateway School District, and how do you plan to address it?
Cheryl E. Boise (R/D)
Education: Edinboro University of Pennsylvania; Gateway graduate, as are most of my family members
Pertinent issue: One of my many focuses is the safety of our students, along with a primary focus on providing opportunities for our students.
Students are unique individual learners and people. We need to provide a variety of opportunities to meet their needs so they can succeed. I plan on asking to be on the curriculum committee so I can see what is going on to meet those needs.
I believe board members must do a great deal of research and ask good questions on all items they are asked to vote on. Academics will always be one of my main concerns, which encompasses a lot of aspects.
Another priority is the growth of our district and how that impacts our facilities, our programs and our students. The district recently entered into a tentative contract renting classroom trailers for Cleveland Steward Elementary. Our elementary schools are reaching capacity. Given we are still finishing the construction of the middle school, I am deeply concerned how we address the elementary schools and our future finances.
John M. Bova (R/D)
Submitted for primary:
I am running for the two-year school board seat because it would allow me to complete a four-year term. I believe that I have, in the past two years, contributed to a much more stable and inclusive board, but there is much still to do.
The biggest issue facing Gateway is the same issue that faces all school districts in Pennsylvania — legislation that places far too large a financial burden on homeowners. That issue is followed closely by safety/security. Local school districts have been tasked with protecting our students and staff with little or no direction or support from county/state/federal government.
Everyone who runs for public office thinks that they can make a difference and have a positive impact on their community. I believe that in my years on the school board, and also on Pitcairn council, I have actually demonstrated that ability, and I look forward to serving my community for another two years.
Donna Burns (D)
Age: 53
Education: BS in mechanical engineering from Penn State; MBA with computer information systems minor from Robert Morris University
Occupation: Quality director at Zeno Power Systems
Previous public office: None
The most pertinent issue for Gateway is to ensure that students at all levels have the appropriate academic opportunities for their future success. When Gateway’s students are successful, our district and community also benefits by being a place that people want to move to.
I will address this by first learning what has been effective and what needs to be improved from the school district administration and school board. Using a data-driven approach to problem solving, I will help to find the solutions that equip our teachers to best support our students while also considering the financial constraints of our community.
Susan DeLaney (D)
Education: BA in elementary education from the University of Illinois; MA in learning disabilities from Northeastern Illinois University
Occupation: retired educator. Taught 35 years in Pittsburgh Public Schools and was chairman of the Special Education Department; substitute teacher in Gateway School District after retiring from PPS.
Previous public office: Currently serving on Gateway School Board, since 2019
The most important issue concerning the Gateway School District is to ensure the safe learning environments of our children, for each one of them to achieve at their highest potential. We must continuously review and update our safety protocols and be prepared for any and all situations that affect the safety of our students. We must also ensure that the Gateway School District is responsive to the needs, diverse beliefs and priorities of the Monroeville and Pitcairn communities.
As the governing body for the Gateway School District, we must collectively create, direct, engage, communicate, be fiscally responsible and implement educational policies that support the best interest of all our students, including stakeholders, parents, residents and the educational staff.
George Lapcevich (R)
Previous public office: former Gateway School Board member
One of my biggest concerns is for the safety and security in our schools. They must be in the forefront. Nothing matters unless the students feel they are in a safe environment. Without that feeling of safety and security, they can’t possibly work toward their many present and future endeavors. It’s our obligation as members of the school board to be a part of that by backing our administration and our security department.
One of the closest to my heart is the action l undertook to introduce Narcan into the school system. My wife and l have been publicly outspoken on this issue with speaking to students, parents and school board members. I’m happy to say the Narcan hasn’t been used to date, but I promise to work tirelessly and continue to be an outspoken advocate to keep our schools drug-free.
Having no personnel agenda, l’m in this campaign to keep Gateway School District the best it has always been today and will be in the future.
Kelly Matrazzo (R)
Age: 48
Education: BS, Carlow University
Occupation: Resource manager
Previous public office: None
There are many issues that need to be addressed, but the two main issues that come to mind to review and address are as follows:
As a district, we need to rein in the spending and take a hard look at why we keep getting our taxes raised each year. Inflation is at its worst in decades and having another tax hike does not sit well with me, and it shouldn’t sit well with the taxpayers of this district, either. I would like to review the spending plan and budget to understand where the shortfalls are and address them.
The second area of concern is the ease and accessibility of drugs in our middle and high school. I don’t think parents realize how bad it truly is. We need to create a comprehensive plan or committee or task force to help mitigate the drug use in school and on school property. Disciplinary policies need to be reviewed and possibly revamped for repeat offenses, along with implementing a support system and counseling for repeat offenders.
I would like to look into creating a peer-support system within the district for kids to help coach and mentor other kids to be able to walk through these difficult years of their life.
Valerie Warning (R/D)
This statement was submitted in advance of the primary: The biggest issue I see at Gateway is to ensure the safety of our students and staff, and maintaining the high standards of our academic studies and vocational opportunities are always on the top of the list. We as a district owe it to our families that their children are safe while they are in the school buildings and on district property.