8 candidates running for 4 open seats on North Allegheny School Board

Eight candidates are vying for four open seats on the North Allegheny School Board in the Nov. 2 general election.

North Allegheny school directors serve at-large. Only incumbent Rick McClure is seeking re-election. The seven other candidates are newcomers.

McClure, Greg Casten, Vidya Szymkowiak and Joe Wall ran as a team in the May primary and received nominations on the Republican ticket.

Sylvana Bonner, Leslie Britton Dozier, Paige Hardy and Jon Parker ran as a team and were nominated on the Democratic ticket.

Here are the candidates’ answers to questions from the North Allegheny Journal.

Republicans

Greg Casten

Age: 56

Education: Bachelor of Science, Lehigh University, Class of 1987

Occupation: Financial advisor

If elected, what are two short-term goals?

My first short-term goal is to make sure the North Allegheny students are attending in-person instruction five days per week and have the ability to participate in extracurricular activities. As a board we need to do everything possible to manage the covid crisis as effectively as possible. We need to keep our schools open.

A second short-term goal that I have is to oppose indoctrination, including elements of Critical Race Theory in the North Allegheny schools. As a North Allegheny student, I received a solid education that enabled me to excel academically, and it gave me critical thinking skills to develop and solidify my own values and beliefs. Parents choose North Allegheny as the district for their children to be educated and not indoctrinated. I will respect parents as an important partner in each child’s education.

If elected, what is one long-term goal?

A long-term goal that I would like to address is the North Allegheny financial situation. The district faces significant financial challenges, and there are many infrastructure decisions that must be made. School board members will have to review and approve budgets and spend taxpayer funds in a cost-effective manner to maximize return on investment and to prevent tax increases. My familiarity with financing and the municipal bond industry is an asset that I will bring to the school board.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process?

I plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process by being visible in the community. I have three children, one is a junior in college (son), a senior in high school (son) and a freshman in high school (daughter). Attending their activities three times per week in the fall and winter seasons, gives me the ability to interact with many residents of the North Allegheny School District. In addition, my wife of 22 years and I volunteer in the community and take an active role in listening to the concerns of our neighbors and friends on a daily basis.

Rick McClure

Age: 64

Education: Bachelor of Science

Occupation: Commercial property manager

If elected, what are two short-term goals?

As the only experienced board member running, I plan to continue my efforts to safely keep students in school and in-person. Additionally, ensuring an education that centers on learning rather than following the latest political indoctrination is key to developing individuals who are prepared for success in a changing world.

If elected, what is one long-term goal?

Long-term planning for the future of North Allegheny’s facilities is an effort I embraced as board president. Development of a long-term plan that will serve the district’s student population may require a significant investment. However, that investment becomes possible when we manage current assets wisely. The tendency to chase the latest big idea has made it difficult to wisely craft a plan that will meet current needs while planning and saving for future investment. As chair of the Building Grounds Committee and president of the board, I have personally identified wasteful spending totaling many millions of dollars while driving the district toward responsible management of its physical assets.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process?

The expansion of the Franklin Elementary School is a great example of how the community was involved in the process and the planning. Public meetings were the basis for a collaborative effort that positively impacted the plan, resulting in an efficient and impressive school building. Any long-term, big-picture goal or project should be addressed in a similar manner.

Vidya Szymkowiak

Age: 48

Education: Bachelor of Science, chemical engineering and Bachelor of Science, chemistry, Penn State University; M.D., University of Pittsburgh; residency in internal medicine/primary care, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Occupation: Physician

If elected, what are two short-term goals?

The first priority must be to reinstate and maintain a consistent and predictable daily routine for children. We must keep our schools fully open — this includes the classroom setting as well as extracurricular activities and sports. Policies designed to minimize the risk of infection transmission should carefully balance the real risk of transmission and subsequent illness burden with the equally real risks related to disrupting the daily routine and education environment for our kids.

We must also work quickly to quantify the level to which each student may have lost ground in terms of academic achievement as well as social and emotional development. School directors should support the efforts of parents and educators working in tandem to address the academic, social, and emotional harm our children have suffered as a result of pandemic-related disruptions.

If elected, what is one long-term goal?

It is my top priority to preserve and bolster North Allegheny’s tradition of providing excellent education that is tailored to the needs of each individual student but to do so in a manner that is fiscally responsible. My unique background and qualifications position me to effectively carry out this objective. As a primary care physician, it is my responsibility to understand the current medical evidence and apply that information in a nuanced and balanced manner for the benefit of my patients. I will take the same rational, evidence-based, flexible and responsive approach to policy-making as a school board member. As the owner of a successful real estate business, I recognize that spending — especially given the looming NASD budget deficit — must be carefully managed to promote the best return on investment for our students and our community. As a hardworking, behind-the-scenes volunteer, I am committed to devoting the time and effort necessary to carry out my responsibilities. As a proud NA community member and a grateful NA graduate, I will always put North Allegheny first.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process?

I am gratified to observe the increased level of engagement our parents and community members are demonstrating with respect to our schools, and it is critical that we maintain transparency and access to the decision-making process. I support maintaining an option to view school board meetings in a virtual format. I would encourage stakeholders to review meeting agendas in advance and to provide feedback and comments via email and social media channels in addition to presenting at the meetings. Having access to additional data and a wide variety of viewpoints will allow me to put forth smart policies and make reasoned, evidence-based decisions to the benefit of our students, our schools, and our community.

Joe Wall

Age: 56

Education: University of Pittsburgh

Occupation: Security executive

If elected, what are two short-term goals?

Our first order of business should be to get our students back into a normal learning atmosphere in person as quickly as possible. We need to eliminate the distractions and get back to educating our children. We must determine where each child is as far as their educational development and what has been lost through the pandemic.

We must also work to enhance our standing as an educational institution. We need to focus on bringing North Allegheny back among the top school districts in the state for education quality and student achievement.

If elected, what is one long-term goal?

There are too many issues to be addressed to just pick one. Financially, we need to be responsible to the taxpayers. The district needs financial guidance. We need to establish a long-term program for upgrading district facilities. We need to adhere to the core mission of our schools: Educating kids, not indoctrinating them. There are many other needs within the district, and I believe that we must focus on transparency and accountability as we address these issues.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process?

I am very approachable and open to the concerns of the constituents. I would provide a regular time to be available to constituents that would allow them to be in contact outside of scheduled board meetings.

Democrats

Sylvana Bonner

Age: 48

Education: Syracuse University, Bachelor of Science, psychology; Robert Morris University, Master of Science, IT project management

Occupation: Manager — risk management

If elected, what are two short-term goals?

Restoring confidence in the superintendent and prioritizing the needs of our students and district are both critical. The Board unanimously hired our superintendent. After Dr. (Melissa) Friez made an informed decision in August to return students to school with masks to keep students, teachers and our community safe, the board held a surprise vote on Aug. 18, voting 6-3 to make masks optional. This surprise vote undermined the superintendent’s authority and demonstrated poor leadership. Let’s leverage the expertise of our employees to prioritize safety in the district. Allow the experts to do their work but provide oversight by evaluating information and making data-driven decisions. The board should work as a team to create stability in the district by leaning into the basics of the board policies and procedures. The current board frequently demonstrates their willingness to listen to select voices versus being committed to the standards they were elected to uphold.

If elected, what is one long-term goal?

The mission of the North Allegheny School District is “Preparing all students for success in a changing world.” Are we living up to that mission? Our world and the marketplace are changing rapidly; our children must be thoroughly prepared to compete. I would strategize with the administration, teachers, and students to create a road map for success. We could conduct a gap analysis to identify the people and resources needed to get us to our future state. One of the goals should be creating an effective mental health and well-being program for all students. Whether acknowledged or not, our students face academic, social, and environmental pressures. It’s not easy to be a 21st century adolescent. There will be long-term effects from the pandemic, and the proliferation of social media apps, as well as other stressors, set the stage for continual reevaluations of the support offered to our children.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process?

The board is obligated to communicate and engage with the community. Methods should already exist to facilitate that communication. I will look for opportunities to move beyond performative methods and find meaningful ways to gather feedback from our constituents. Virtual platforms have changed the way we communicate and conduct business. These platforms allow for greater access to a larger audience and should continue to be used. Surveys, emails, and social media also offer opportunity to promote engagement, but in the end the board must work together to create an inclusive environment where all feel respected, valued, and heard. One of the best parts of campaigning is speaking with voters. I’ve heard about successes, challenges, and frustrations. People simply want to be heard and know that leaders care and are willing to work on solutions that meet the needs of students, teachers, and the community rather than just a select few.

Leslie Britton Dozier

Education: Bachelor of Science, economics, The Lincoln University; Master of Science, public policy and management, Carnegie Mellon University; Juris Doctor — Duquesne University School of Law

Occupation: Attorney/director

If elected, what are two short-term goals?

Support of our administration: Our district needs leadership that will support our administration and staff. With my experience on multiple nonprofit boards, I know how important it is to hire effective administrators and then support those individuals. Our school board has done the opposite recently by undermining the very administrators it hired, which has resulted in chaos and is an embarrassment to our community. It is time for a change in leadership. I would focus on ensuring that our administration and staff has the support that it needs and deserves.

Support of our students: I am a product of public education, and I still remember how my favorite teachers, administrators, and staff made me feel: safe, encouraged, engaged, and accepted. That’s what school excellence felt like to me, and I want this experience for my son, niece, and nephew who attend NA. I want this for all NA students. It is important for the district to provide the support that is needed to enable our students to excel.

If elected, what is one long-term goal?

My experience making data-driven decisions has equipped me to create and support excellence in North Allegheny. Excellence comes at a cost, and I’ll be a careful steward of public funds. As an executive I understand budget constraints. I am a practicing attorney, with over 20 years of experience in corporate and government sectors, and the nonprofit boards that I serve on have no money to spare. I earned a master’s degree in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University, where I learned to use a variety of analytical tools to make good policy decisions.

Our district is strong, but there is clearly room for improvement, especially when it comes to board leadership. My long-term goal is to be a school director who works together with the board to provide strategic leadership, good policies, and support for our district.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process?

Our school board should make communication with constituents a priority, rather than an afterthought, or worse. A lack of communicative leadership has been a core problem of our current school board. Communicating about complex decisions takes skill and experience, and I have acquired both from my education, work, and volunteer experiences. Some communication is simple — for example what the board intends to vote on in public meetings — unfortunately, our current school board has failed in that context.

I will work with fellow board members to make sure we are using data to drive our decisions, that we solicit feedback from stakeholders and that we represent the best interests of our children, district and community.

Paige Hardy

Age: 47

Education: Master of Arts, University of Melbourne, Australia; Bachelor of Arts, University of Colorado, Boulder

Occupation: Public health data analyst, parent volunteer

If elected, what are two short-term goals?

First, North Allegheny should follow expert medical and public health guidance to keep as many of our students learning in-building as much as possible this school year.

Second, NA needs to address how last year’s disruptions affected our students’ education and emotional well being. Spending the time to properly address missed learning and mental health now will determine how well our students recover from the pandemic and give them tools to face future challenges. From my time on the district’s parent advisory committees and attending board meetings, I’m optimistic about the district’s improvements to student support services and its shift to data-driven instruction. For years, NA prioritized annual standardized testing, taking valuable time away from classroom instruction without providing teachers useful information. Changing to benchmark testing models will be especially useful this year, as it will show our teachers exactly where our students are after nearly two years of disruption.

If elected, what is one long-term goal?

My long-term goal on the school board will always be to build upon North Allegheny’s many strengths to be the premiere school district in the region. Our family moved here five years ago and chose NA over other districts because of its reputation for excellence, its diverse student body, and the world of learning opportunities a district this size can provide its students. I want NA to give our children a well-rounded education that will enable them to flourish and be caring citizens wherever life takes them next. I’m eager to join the board to make data-backed decisions that keep the best interests of our students in mind — in academics, athletics, arts and acceptance.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process?

Public feedback must be encouraged; transparency is vital to a well-functioning school board. I know from experience that approaching the microphone at board meetings isn’t easy, community members should feel welcome and heard when they take the time to share their point of view. Critical items that impact our children shouldn’t be added to agendas mid-meeting for a vote that evening. When the board voted in August to make masks optional, this late-night, unexpected vote surprised our community and brought confusion, distrust, and a temporary restraining order against the school board. Our residents deserve better. Let’s make it easier to attend board meetings either virtually or in-person, by posting the meeting information online more prominently and making meeting recordings publicly available within 24 hours. In the 21st century, Right to Know Requests shouldn’t be required to discover what your school board said the day before.

Jon Parker

Age: 39

Education: Bachelor of Science, English education; Master of Science, K-12 education

Occupation: High school English teacher and department chair, Pittsburgh Allderdice High School, Squirrel Hill

If elected, what are two short-term goals?

Our school district has experienced remarkable turmoil in the past few months, much of which could have been avoided with stable, competent school board leadership. My first goal as a board member would be to bring stability to the board, which would do well to be clear, consistent and transparent with constituents.

My second goal would be to keep our kids safe and in school as we navigate the ongoing pandemic. This means maintaining universal masking requirements when the public health advice is to do so since that approach gives us the best chance of keeping our kids healthy and in school, uninterrupted by quarantines and closures. It also means facilitating things like vaccine clinics at our school buildings when vaccines become available for our youngest students.

If elected, what is one long-term goal?

I am most interested in making smart, reasonable decisions that use our resources wisely. As a teacher I have experienced plenty of good and bad school board decisions over the course of my 17-year career, and I want to make good decisions for my three kids who attend North Allegheny schools.

An appreciation for the North Allegheny of years gone by should serve to motivate us to improve our district in the future. I want all of our students to be productive, well-rounded, engaged citizens when they graduate. That is my long-term goal for every student in my own classes, and it will be my long-term goal as a school board member.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process?

We are fortunate to have an engaged community in North Allegheny. Constituents should have as many outlets as possible to provide feedback to the board, and the board should encourage rather than discourage that engagement. As a board we should offer in-person and remote access to meetings and public comment sessions. We should also post recorded videos of our board meetings online for constituents to view when they are able to do so.

An effective school board must be responsive to constituent perspectives. That said, some perspectives offer more expertise than others in certain areas. We should genuinely listen to all who want to engage with us, and we should also weigh expert guidance heavily when we are dealing with decisions outside of our individual realms of expertise.