The May primary has filled in some, but not all, of the empty ballot spots for the New Kensington-Arnold School Board.

Six of the nine board seats are up for election this year — two in each of the district’s three voting regions. But only three people were on the primary ballots.

Through write-in votes, there are now five candidates for the November General Election, according to unofficial Westmoreland County election results.

Region 1

In Region 1, the candidates in November will be Robert Pallone and Terry Schrock.

Pallone, a former board member, was the only candidate on the Democratic and Republican primary ballots for the region’s two seats. Schrock, a current school director, secured both nominations as a write-in.

At least 10 write-in votes are required, an elections official said. Schrock received 38 write-in votes on the Democratic ballot and 17 on the Republican ballot.

As a result, the election for the two seats in Region 1 will be uncontested.

Region 2

For the two seats in Region 2, current board President Tim Beckes was the only candidate on the Democratic ballot. There will not be a Republican on the ballot.

Although Eric Felack received 11 Republican write-in votes in Region 2, he lives in Region 3 — where he also received enough write-in votes to actually get on the ballot. All other write-ins received between one and three votes each.

Region 3

The seats in Regions 1 and 2 are all for four-year terms; in Region 3, one seat is for four years while another is for two years.

For the four-year seat held by incumbent John Cope, Cope was the sole candidate, appearing on the Democratic primary ballot only.

Felack secured the Republican nomination with 15 write-in votes.

No candidates were on the ballot for the two-year seat in Region 3. However, Felack secured the Democratic and Republican nominations as a write-in, with 17 votes and 12 votes, respectively.

Felack said he asked voters to write him in because he was concerned that, with so many empty ballot slots, people with hidden agendas or ulterior motives could get on the school board.

On Wednesday, Felack said he was undecided if he would accept the nomination for the four-year seat, which would see him challenge Cope, or only the nominations for the two-year seat, for which he would be unopposed.

Those receiving write-in nominations have until mid-July to accept or decline them, said Greg McCloskey, director of county operations.

“I want to explore my options,” Felack said. “One way or another, I will be running for a spot on the board.”

Cope could not be reached for comment.

Felack, 68, is seeking elected office for the first time. He retired from the Valley News Dispatch in September 2016 after 37 years as a staff photographer and chief photographer.

Since then, he was chief of staff for former Republican state representatives Eli Evankovich and Bob Brooks. He is now a legislative aide for state Rep. Abby Major, a Republican representing the 60th House District. That district covers parts of Armstrong and Westmoreland counties but does not include New Kensington or Arnold.

Felack’s daughter, Erika Felack-Bucci, is an English and reading teacher in the district.

Felack said he is supportive of Superintendent Chris Sefcheck, who was hired in 2021.

“He’s made positive changes since he’s arrived, and communications are better with employees and residents,” Felack said.

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