Editor’s note: The Pine Creek Journal is only spotlighting contested races in the primary election.

According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, Pine-Richland School District residents who live in Region 2 will see four nominees on the May primary ballot vying for two available school director positions. Each of the nominees cross-filed. Region 2 includes people who live in Pine voting districts 2, 3 and 6, along with Richland voting districts 6, 7 and 8.

In Pine, voters cast their ballot at PRHS stadium along Warrendale Road and at North Park Skating Rink on Pierce Mill Road. In Richland, voters will go to Trinity Evangelical Church along Gibsonia Road and the Richland Township Firehall on Meridian Road.

The nominees in Region 2 are:

Christina Brussalis

QWhy did you decide to run for election?

“I entered the school board race because students were not being offered equal access to educational opportunities across grade levels,” Brussalis said. “One of my children is in first grade, and we had the choice of five-days per week instruction or virtual and hybrid models.”

Brussalis said parents know their children best.

“We can assess our own risk regarding covid-19, and all families should have had similar choices at the start of the year. Critical learning and development happen at all levels, and denying older students in-person learning negatively affected many children,” Brussalis said.

“Greater effort should have been made to bring back juniors and seniors sooner and to salvage the remainder of this important year.”

Brussalis said the school board missed an opportunity to creatively address this problem and took a path of least resistance.

“Unfortunately, our children are the ones to suffer due to ineffective educational delivery models, lack of academic support and isolation,” she said.

Q What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed?

“We need a school board that has common sense in addressing the needs of our students and community,” Brussalis said.

“It has been disappointing to see how out of touch our current school board and administrators have been over the past year.

“We need a school board that actively listens to stakeholders and makes sound decisions all of the time, not just when protesters and news crews show up.”

Q What should voters know about you?

Brussalis spent nearly two decades as a consultant helping organizations identify strategic opportunities and align resources to achieve goals.

“During the course of my career, I also served two U.S. Presidents and was a public relations staffer for two secretaries of defense and a U.S. congressman,” Brussalis said. “Although I have had the opportunity to work in the highest levels of government, the greatest compliment of my life was given to me by a classroom of high school math students who asked their teacher to choose me as their substitute because I was always fair.

“As a Pine-Richland School Director, you can count on me to always listen and to fairly carry out my responsibilities on the school board if elected.”

Christine Misback

Q Why did you decide to run for election?

“I am seeking reelection to continue the thoughtful and strategic work of the Pine-Richland School Board and administration. The board works collaboratively with all key stakeholders and partners to bring the best solutions forward,” Misback said. “When we have differences of opinion, we work respectfully to understand each other and reach a consensus. We each come with a unique, valued perspective.

“There are no hidden agendas, but open and honest dialogue. I also want to ensure quality education for every student with fiscal responsibility. Continuous improvement has been a hallmark value of PR. During my time on the school board, PR has consistently ranked in the top 10% of school districts in Greater Pittsburgh and top 5% statewide for academic achievement. PR also currently ranks sixth lowest cost-per-pupil in Allegheny County and has reduced debt by 28% without raising taxes since 2017. I am proud to team up with PR4ALL.org.”

Q What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed?

“There is significant need to provide PR students who cannot attend in-person school with a quality virtual education option taught by PR educators. With the success of the PR Virtual Academy, PR4ALL supports its expansion to K-12 next school year, informed by the Transforming the Future Council, to reduce or eliminate the $1.2 million cost to tax payers for students attending cyber-charter schools,” Misback said.

“I also want to recognize the COVID learning model. So much planning and flawless implementation has taken place, debating and evaluating by the Healthcare Leadership Council community experts and members, providing flexible options for families, investing in additional staff and technology, and we kept the schools open five days/week for K-3 and special-needs students since the beginning of the school year. We are the only school district in the area that did not have to close any building due to an outbreak.”

Q What should voters know about you?

“I am the proud mother of three PR graduates, and I believe through giving of my time, talents and a lot of hard work that I can and have made a difference in my community. My 16-year volunteer record as current school board member since 2017, PROF board of trustees (6 years), PRHS blood drive coordinator (8 years) and elementary reading tutor (15 yrs.) have enriched not only the academic and extracurricular experiences of our children but the value of our community as well,” Misback said.

“I have gained knowledge and experience through my work on the board. I have built relationships and trust through my time in the schools and in the community. I have earned respect through my dedication and now the opportunity to ask for your vote to reelect me to the school board, so I may continue serving the community and making a difference in our children’s lives.”

Russell Patterson

Q Why did you decide to run for election?

“I decided to run for election to bring my experience and education background to serve PR families and collaboratively work with district leadership to ensure that there are rich experiences provided both inside and outside the classroom,” Patterson said. “To increase my skills in the area of diversity, I had the opportunity to study the educational systems in Japan and Ghana, while working collaboratively with the educators in various institutions within these countries. I believe in growing and stimulating the continued excellence of Pine-Richland schools. I’m proud to team up and run for school board with Christine Misback and Kasia Swope as a part of PR4ALL.org.”

Q What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed?

“We must address the academic, social and emotional needs of all of our children as part of our post-pandemic plan. I support the district’s approach to educating the whole child through not only the curriculum but through developed programs like the Graduate Portrait program to educate and grow the whole child and the RAMS Way program to engage ALL students as thoughtful citizens,” Patterson said. “We also need to continue to build upon the mental health services that the district already provides at each school building as well as the training the staff receives in trauma-informed-approach response. PR4ALL supports the five-day/week return-to-school plan.”

Q What should voters know about you?

“I have been an elementary educator for 19 years. I have taught kindergarten, first, third and fifth graders in diverse settings. My leadership skills include working as an assistant principal and currently as an elementary principal in Pittsburgh Public Schools,” Patters0n said. “I have worked closely with community partners to bring services that will support the students that I serve.

“During my tenure as an administrator, my school was recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a STAR school, being highly regarded for student growth amongst Pennsylvania schools. I graduated from University of Pittsburgh with a BA and MA in teaching, Ph.D. in reading education, and superintendent’s letter of eligibility. My wife and I are the proud parents of three children, two currently students in the Pine-Richland School District.”

Amy Terchick

Q Why did you decide to run for election?

“I decided to run for school board out of frustration with the lack of leadership exhibited in the Pine-Richland School District,” Terchick said. “The focus has become about preserving an image and pushing the agendas of a few, rather than educating children.”

Q What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed?

“The most important issue that needs to be addressed is parents’ need to be the primary decision makers for their children,” Terchick said. “The job of the school is to provide a quality educational experience.

“The district is unwilling to listen to the wants and needs of families,” Terchick said.

Q What should voters know about you?

“I have worked my entire adult life to improve the lives of children in my community,” she said. “I worked professionally as a classroom teacher and a cyber school teacher. I volunteered with different sport teams and Girl Scouts.”

Terchick also worked as a substitute teacher in Pine-Richland and also as a field hockey coach.

“I hope to continue to improve my community as a school board member,” she said.

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