Three new directors and one incumbent were sworn in at the North Allegheny School Board’s reorganization meeting Dec. 3.
Paige Hardy was reelected Nov. 4 to keep her seat, joined by newcomers Emily Theys, Jackie Leicht and Dr. Jesse Adams, all of whom ran as Democrats. Adams is an independent but ran on the Democratic ticket.
They join current board directors Elizabeth Blackburn and Michael Weniger, both Republicans, and Dr. Robert Gibbs, Dr. Anisha Shah and Elizabeth Warner, all Democrats.
Two directors were nominated for the seat of vice president, including Hardy, who is the current vice president and was nominated by Gibbs. Weniger was nominated by Blackburn.
Hardy won the seat, 6-3, with votes from Gibbs, Leicht, Shah, Theys, Warner and herself. Weniger received votes from Adams, Blackburn and himself.
Warner was unanimously nominated and selected as board president.
“Over the past couple of years, our team of 10 have worked well together. We’ve listened with respect to opposing views and have been willing to compromise. I’m proud of what we have accomplished,” Warner said.
Hardy added she “looks forward to working with all of you together to achieve the district’s goals.”
Outgoing directors include Republicans Richard McClure and Dr. Vidya Szymkowiak and Leslie Britton Dozier, a Democrat. All three chose not to run again.
The board, including McClure, acknowledged the work of the three during the Nov. 12 meeting. McClure served on the board for 10 years.
“Thank you for all of the support through the years,” McClure said at the time while extending best wishes to the new board. “There’s a lot to learn, lots to do.”
Britton Dozier and Szymkowiak also offered their gratitude to their fellow board, administration and staff.
Blackburn, a board director since 2011, said Pennsylvania is one of two states in the country which does not allow compensation to school board members.
“I think it’s a great thing because you’re getting people who truly want to serve on the school board. There’s no monetary incentive whatsoever,” she said. “What you get is people who care.”
She and the other board members offered gratitude for the three outgoing school board members.
Superintendent Dr. Brendan Hyland thanked the outgoing board directors on behalf of the administration, employees and district as a whole.
“You did a job and you did it well,” he said.
Terms of Blackburn, Gibbs, Shah, Warner and Weniger will expire in 2027.
The new directors’ terms will end in 2029.
The evening included a performance by the North Allegheny Intermediate Honors Treble Choir.
