Pool of 9 candidates running for Gateway ballot spots
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Editor’s note: The Times Express is publishing primary election previews with candidate interviews for contested races only.
In the race for Gateway School Board, nine candidates are running for spots on the November ballot for five open seats. Four of them are for four-year terms, and one for a two-year term. All are cross-filed, running as both Democrat and Republican.
The following are responses provided by the candidates, in alphabetical order.
Janette I Beighel
Municipality: Monroeville
• Why did you decide to run? I decided to run for Gateway School Director because I have three children currently in the district and want to continue to improve their school experience.
• What is the biggest issue? The biggest issue that I feel needs to be addressed is continuing to provide a quality public education where all children have the opportunity to be successful while being mindful of spending.
• Why should people vote for you? I have been a Monroeville resident for 14 years, married to my husband for 15 years and have three children in the district. I am a nurse . I am asking for people to vote for me because I will work on behalf of the residents of Monroeville and Pitcairn. I will place needs before wants. I will work collaboratively with stakeholders to improve communication. I will work to ensure all our students have the opportunity to be successful.
Cheryl E. Boise
Municipality: Monroeville
• Why did you decide to run? My family are Gateway graduates, and I have grandchildren in the district. I attend board meetings, and have for 30 years. My resume is extensive, so please go to momsforgateway.com. Being retired, I have the time required to focus on board work.
• What is the biggest issue? There are a number of things that are my priorities. We need to find a more effective way to communicate with the community. In addition, Safety and security, tutoring along with mentoring, pre-k, plus providing a wide variety of opportunities for all individual learners. Promoting respect in the district.
• Why should people vote for you? If people go to momsforgateway.com, it will be very clear the level of my experiences professionally, and within the district. I also have done trainings on the function of school boards, and I have the time to dedicate to the work of the board.
Jack Bova
Municipality: Pitcairn; seeking two-year term
• Why did you decide to run? 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.
• What is the biggest issue? 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.
• Why should people vote for you? If 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
Municipality: Monroeville
• Why did you decide to run? Our three children attended Gateway. The youngest graduates soon. As a parent and long-time volunteer, I want to use my experiences and skills to help Gateway become the best district possible by providing for safe schools, opportunities to excel academically, and to express their talents through the arts and extracurricular activities
• What is the biggest issue? Currently, the biggest issue is ensuring that all students have the best opportunities to excel academically to enable their future success in a challenging and ever-changing world. This is especially important as we continue to support our students and teachers to overcome any gaps from the pandemic.
• Why should people vote for you? With almost 30 years of experience as an engineer and manager, I can see issues from many different perspectives and work toward an agreed resolution. I will listen to all viewpoints, understand the facts, and collaborate with my fellow directors and community for the best resolution for our entire student population.
Susan DeLaney
Municipality: Monroeville
• Why did you decide to run? Since I am running for re-election on the school board, as a 40-plus- year educator by profession, it is my continued goal to create and maintain a school district with high academic standards for ALL students in a safe learning environment. Serving as a board director has enabled me to impact the policies, curriculum, safety, building and grounds, budget and numerous other issues that affect the staff, parents, residents and stakeholders in our community with transparency, integrity and accountability, which make a difference in students performing at their highest potential.
• What is the biggest issue? Since the interruption of the school’s learning environment at the onset of the pandemic and now post-pandemic, data indicates that mental and behavioral issues of students have greatly impacted their academic achievement. As a result, most school districts are faced with students’ learning loss coupled with a staff shortage. Although, there are no easy solutions to these problems, it definitely requires that school board directors provide all the resources needed for student achievement and growth while still being fiscally responsible stewards of our taxpayers’ dollars.
• Why should people vote for you? My long-standing professional background in education provides a quality foundation for school governance in our district as it relates to individualized learning, goal setting, utilizing resources, recognizing achievement disparities and student success. Yet a key component to school governance is being able to effectively communicate and collaborate with fellow school board members, superintendents, school staff, parents and the community at large to produce the best possible outcomes. As a 35-year resident of the community, whose children successfully completed their education from elementary through high school in Gateway School District, my passion for maintaining a high achieving district is a way of serving and giving back to my community.
George Lapcevich
Municipality: Monroeville
• Why should people vote for you? As a candidate for Gateway School Board, with the experience of a previous term in my resume, I pledge to do the very best I can for the district, taxpayers and most importantly the children. I intend to work towards a manageable budget while holding the line on tax rates and costs. This can only be done with your support as voters.
Kelly Matrazzo
Municipality: Monroeville
• Why did you decide to run? I am a mother with two kids in the district. I have a vested interest in what happens in our schools. I want to ensure our children have all the opportunities available to them to succeed as individuals and to overcome any covid learning loss they may have experienced.
• What is the biggest issue? Safety/security and covid learning loss.
• Why should people vote for you? I believe it is important to have parents involved at every level of their district school board, whether it be attending the monthly meetings or serving on the board as an elected representative. People who make decisions on behalf of children should always listen to input from parents.
John Ritter
Municipality: Monroeville
Answers were not received as of press time.
Valerie Warning
Municipality: Monroeville
• Why did you decide to run? I decided to run for re-election because I want to follow through on initiatives we started. I also want to continue to be the voice for our students and staff. I have also been involved with an extensive project at Sunrise School and I want to make sure that this is completed for the safety of the students and staff.
• What is the biggest issue? 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.
• Why should people vote for you? I am visible in the schools and community and I listen to everyone’s concerns. I hope to continue to make a difference in our students’ futures.
Also in Monroeville, candidates are seeking ballot spots in the race for municipal council in the 2nd, 4th and 6th wards. In the primary, only the Ward 4 Democratic race is contested, with incumbent Steven Wolfram challenged by James C. Johns.
James C. Johns
• Why did you decide to run for election? I believe the 4th Ward of Monroeville needs a council person that will address the concerns of the residents and also be accessible to them at all times.
• What is the biggest issue? We need to get spending under control and work harder to create an environment that attracts new businesses.
• Why should people vote for you? As a resident of Monroeville for 45-plus years, and for those who remember my previous eight years as a councilman (2012-19), our residents know that I will work hard for Monroeville. I will also bring a common-sense approach to all issues.
Steven Wolfram
Answers were not received as of press time.