8 candidates vying for 4 seats on North Allegheny School Board

Four seats are open on the North Allegheny School Board this general election, which is Nov. 4, with only one incumbent, Paige Hardy, seeking reelection.

Other terms ending are currently held by Dr. Vidya Szymkowiak and Leslie Britton Dozier, both of whom served one term beginning in 2021. Also not seeking reelection is Richard McClure, who has been on the school board since 2015.

Candidates were given two questions related to taxes, funding and keeping North Allegheny a top-rated school district.

Here are the candidates’ responses.

Jesse Adams

Age: 51

Political party: Independent, registered Democratic until Nov. 5, 2025. As an independent, I chose Democratic in the two-party race since I honor the kindness and care demonstrated in some policies and believe that Native American Reconciliation and additional, larger and far-reaching reparation discussions are ultimately two of the top six most important national issues to address. At the school board level, while I honor and appreciate the Democratic slate for having included me, I am now running independently to maintain the courtesy of clear and consistent messaging. Out of fairness to the slate and its leadership, I do not wish to speak for it, nor can I fully endorse every element of its message. As I shared with slate leadership, the summary of my difference in perspective is as follows: “I think a campaign should focus on larger goals for the community and not on concrete policy statements that might end up being short-sighted and unhelpful in the long run, or on implying that the other party in a two-party system uniformly holds an opposing view in order to provoke a ‘go to the polls’ response from its constituency.”

Education: Stanford, Ph.D.

Occupation: CEO

Community involvement/volunteer work: Volunteer musician, sound technician and vocalist at various gatherings

Years residing in district/municipality: Four

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

Balancing strong schools with fiscal responsibility requires thoughtful, data-driven leadership. As a board member, I would ensure that every new project or service is supported by clear evidence of student and community benefit before committing taxpayer dollars. When resources are limited, we must prioritize maintaining excellent teaching, safety and student well-being — core investments that directly impact learning. To fund innovation without burdening families, I would support the pursuit of outside funding sources such as state and federal grants, community partnerships and responsible naming rights opportunities. By blending careful financial oversight with creative funding strategies, North Allegheny can continue to improve while keeping taxes manageable. My approach emphasizes transparency, accountability and long-term planning — ensuring that decisions are made not for headlines, but for measurable outcomes. With a research background and practical understanding of data-driven policy, I believe in smart growth that strengthens our schools without straining our taxpayers.

How do you deal with what programs or initiatives should be funded, continued and/or implemented for North Allegheny to maintain its status as a top-ranked school district?

North Allegheny’s continued excellence depends on staying focused on what truly matters — academics, arts, and athletics — while ensuring our facilities and resources support those strengths. As someone who has provided direction and oversight for multimillion-dollar projects, I understand the importance of disciplined budgeting and long-term planning. We must invest in high-quality teachers, modern learning spaces and programs that challenge and inspire every student, from advanced academics to inclusive arts and championship athletics. At the same time, we must address aging facilities responsibly and prioritize updates that enhance safety and learning. My approach is rooted in thoughtful, nonpolitical leadership — keeping the focus on student success rather than distractions. By applying data-driven oversight and sound financial management, I will work to ensure North Allegheny remains a top-ranked district known for excellence, opportunity and integrity, where every dollar spent advances our mission to be better and better for every student and family.

Nick Bassett

Age: 37

Political party: Republican

Education: B.S., electrical engineering, United States Air Force Academy

Occupation: Commercial pilot

Community involvement: First time running for public office

Years in district: Three

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

The district receives funding from millage, the state and the federal government. There will always be a shortage of funding to pay for every single niche, so the board must prioritize needs and balance the wants for the entire constituency to maximize benefits for the majority of the district as best as possible. The priorities are safety first, enhancing the academic experience and maximizing extracurricular activities to boost intellectual, physical, leadership and team-building experiences to develop well-rounded students. There are five large renovations on the drawing board for the district that will test the board’s ability to manage millage. An understanding of engineering will help the board make smart choices from design to contractor selection, ensuring that we get the most out of our tax dollars. Taxpayers should feel confident that their money is being wisely spent to get the best results for our district.

What programs or initiatives should be funded, continued and/or implemented for North Allegheny to maintain its status as a top-ranked school district?

North Allegheny is a well-funded district and can sustain current programs. North Allegheny is already a great school, and the opportunities it can provide for our children is the reason why we settled here. The most pressing issue within the district is a recent trend of decreasing performance, most notably the state ranking dropping from 25th to 28th, according to U.S. News and World Report. A new board must address this issue immediately to reverse the trend before it becomes a problem that starts affecting graduation opportunities. It will take significant efforts to change the momentum of such a large district. It begins with empowering the subject matter experts, the teachers. The new board must help eliminate the obstacles teachers must navigate to achieving better performance in the classroom, standardized testing and post graduation readiness.

Sara Ecker

Age: 37

Political party: Republican

Education: B.S., B.A., Robert Morris University, 2010

Occupation: Manager of talent acquisition, GridGain Systems

Community involvement/volunteer work: Tiger Pride board member; fundraising volunteer for NAYLAX; member of a Life Group at Orchard Hill Church; PTO member at Ingomar Elementary School (previously served as president for two years); active supporter of breast cancer awareness and fundraising (my mother is a survivor)

Years residing in district/municipality: Nine (grew up in North Hills/Ross Township)

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

I believe fiscal responsibility starts with listening to our administrators and staff who see daily what students truly need and to parents who understand their children best. With state funding often limited, it’s important to focus spending where it matters most: directly supporting students and classrooms. We can make smart, data-driven decisions that strengthen programs without placing unnecessary tax burdens on families. My goal is to ensure every dollar spent delivers real value to our students. I also believe every student is unique — whether they excel in academics, thrive in creative spaces, pursue trades or are still discovering their path. Our budget priorities should reflect that diversity and provide balanced opportunities for all. By maintaining open communication and focusing on needs over wants, we can keep North Allegheny strong while being mindful stewards of taxpayer resources.

What programs or initiatives should be funded, continued and/or implemented for North Allegheny to maintain its status as a top-ranked school district?

North Allegheny’s strength lies in its people — our students, teachers, parents and community. To remain a top-ranked district, we must continue funding programs that support every student, not just those at the top or bottom of the achievement ladder. That means continuing to invest in rigorous academics, STEM and arts programs, while also supporting students exploring alternative paths like Beattie and the trades. Each student’s journey is unique, and our district should celebrate that. I’d like to see ongoing support for mental health and wellness resources, small class sizes and professional development for our teachers. Strengthening partnerships between families, staff and administration ensures our programs evolve with student needs. By listening, adapting and valuing every learner equally, we can keep North Allegheny among the best — academically strong, well-rounded and inclusive of every student’s potential.

Dom Gliozzi

Age: 69

Political party: Republican

Education: Bachelor of Arts, secondary education/communications, University of Pittsburgh

Occupation: Retired North Allegheny teacher and athletic coach

Community involvement/volunteer work: St. Luke the Evangelist Parish

Years residing in district/municipality: 30-year resident of North Allegheny School District and Franklin Park

With state funds often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

New projects or services should always be always be prioritized as essential and nonessential. Essential services such as state-mandated initiatives are up to the district with regard to funding sources, as the state does not contribute. “Nonessential” services are usually discretionary and funded solely by the district. Anything additional, aside from building renovations, should not require taking on any new debt or require a tax increase for implementation.

With that in mind, balancing needs for new projects or services becomes a simple matter of financial responsibility. What are the tangible goals and educational outcomes that result from carrying out the new products and services, and how can we afford them under the current or upcoming budget? Just as with any household budget, a school district’s financial resources need to be managed both diligently and with the utmost in care. Proactive planning and a long-term perspective will keep taxes controllable.

What programs or initiatives should be funded, continued and/or implemented for North Allegheny to maintain its status as a top-ranked school district?

The new AI Task Force introduced by Dr. Hyland last month is an initiative that should be fully funded and implemented by the district as part of its Comprehensive Plan. Under the category of Academic Achievement, using AI appropriately and strategically with a sharply focused vision will help North Allegheny maintain its status as a prestigious district for the long term.

Also part of the Comprehensive Plan, under Safety and Wellness, I propose a “Student Growth” program. This involves a task force of building administrators, counselors, teachers and support staff to meet formally and regularly with students. The goal is not quantifiable data, but to assess students’ progress academically, socially, emotionally and physically. While our building team members currently provide exceptional work in this area, establishing a “task force” will simply provide greater emphasis. Nothing is more important than our students’ well being. Holistically healthy students contribute to an exceptional educational environment.

Paige Hardy

Age: 51

Political party: Democrat; I am a Democrat because I believe in common sense not culture wars, preventing book bans, protecting our libraries and pursuing excellence for the North Allegheny School District.

Education: Master of Arts, psychology, University of Melbourne; Bachelor of Arts, psychology/English literature, University of Colorado at Boulder

Occupation: Constituent service adviser, former data analyst and research assistant

Community involvement/volunteer work: North Allegheny school director, devoted school volunteer, former Marshall Elementary School PFA co-president

Years residing in district/municipality: 10 years, Marshall

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

As the only incumbent running, I know every school district’s biggest issue is ensuring they’re meeting the needs of all students while maintaining reasonable millage rates. North Allegheny has a proud tradition of stretching every dollar and making the most of what we have; as a result, we’re one of the most competitive districts in the region, with the fourth lowest millage rate in Allegheny County. Preserving the tremendous value NA provides our community, through whatever financial challenges may come during these turbulent times, will take thoughtful leadership and board members who can use a transparent, data-driven approach to make practical, student-centered decisions that prioritize our needs over our wants.

What programs or initiatives should be funded, continued and/or implemented for North Allegheny to maintain its status as a top-ranked school district?

North Allegheny has so much to be proud of, I could list the many programs that help our students reach their potential, but honestly none of it would be possible without our fabulous teachers, administrators and staff. The strength of our district is the people in our buildings, who greet students with a smile by name every morning, teach them something new, encourage them to keep working when things get tricky and celebrate their successes big and small. To maintain our status as a top-ranked school district, NA should use its own data on what works to invest time and energy into improving our staff’s skills and expertise where needed. Every dollar spent improving our staff’s already impressive professional skills benefits students. That being said, North Allegheny has several buildings that are showing their age, and our community will need to look at investing in essential building improvements in the near future.

Bill Kirk

Age: 69

Political party: Republican

Education: MPM, Carnegie Mellon University’s H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy

Occupation: Retired executive

Community involvement/volunteer work: Current board member, McCandless Industrial Development Authority; current Northland Public Library volunteer project consultant; past council member, Town of McCandless; past member, McCandless Environmental Advisory Committee; past director, McCandless Township Sanitary Authority (chair, 11 years); past board member, Pennsylvania Governors’ Workforce Investment Board; past vice president, McCandless Community Association; past youth mentor: Boy Scout leader, robotics coach, softball coach

Years residing in district/municipality: 40

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

My approach will be rooted in fiscal discipline, transparency and respect for the families who fund our schools. The Board must carefully weigh every new project or program. New projects and initiatives must be prioritized based on safety, academic benefit and efficiency to avoid unnecessary spending and protect taxpayers. One practical way to live within our means is to align new investments with the district’s existing debt schedule. As older debt is retired, those dollars can be redirected to modernize aging facilities to support evolving educational needs — without burdening families with steep tax increases. In both new project and program development, I would require value engineering and cost-benefit analysis throughout the process to help guide decisions while pursuing grants, partnerships and efficiencies in the current budget. Our responsibility is to preserve excellence in education while managing finances prudently, ensuring North Allegheny continues to thrive for today’s students and tomorrow’s taxpayers.

What programs or initiatives should be funded, continued and/or implemented for North Allegheny to maintain its status as a top-ranked school district?

North Allegheny excels in the well-rounded student experience — arts, athletics, activities and community — yet academically focused rankings show we’ve lost ground. Our task is to raise academic performance without surrendering what makes NA special. We can tighten K-8 literacy and math using real-time progress monitoring and timely intervention. At the secondary level, we’ll work to expand AP, honors, STEM and career-technical pathways, and make financial literacy a standard requirement. In a large system, student opportunity can get lost; we’ll strengthen high school career counseling to connect every student with opportunities that best fit their needs. We’ll protect our competitive edge by sustaining excellence in arts and athletics, strong clubs and a safe, disciplined learning environment built on parental partnership. We’ll fund what works by publishing simple dashboards, scale high-impact programs and sunset low-yield initiatives — no new bureaucracy. This plan restores academic standing while preserving the well-rounded excellence NA families value.

Jackie Leicht

Age: 56

Political party: Democrat; I am a Democrat because I believe in common sense not culture wars, preventing book bans, protecting our libraries and pursuing excellence for the North Allegheny School District.

Education: Master of Arts, Loyola University Chicago; Baccalaureate of Arts, summa cum laude graduate, Youngstown State University, 1993

Occupation: Professional administrator, manager

Community involvement/volunteer work: Dedicated North Allegheny school volunteer, including working as Hosack room parent assisting with the Make-A-Wish program

Years residing in district/municipality: 18 years, McCandless

What programs or initiatives should be funded, continued and/or implemented for North Allegheny to maintain its status as a top-ranked school district?

North Allegheny is one of the highest-ranked school districts in Pennsylvania. One area that is critical to our future is AI, which will inevitably play a significant role in our students’ lives. Whether a student goes directly into the workforce or chooses a college path, they’ll need to be prepared for this technological future. As a school district, we need to be fully versed in this area in order to prepare our students for success in a changing world.

Second, our libraries are crucial to our students’ success. They support our curriculum, provide access to books and digital resources and are on the frontlines of teaching digital literacy. Moreover, they are a symbol of our First Amendment rights and free speech, which are being threatened in 2025. As a school board member, I will stand up to threats of censorship no matter where they come from.

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

As the administrator of a congregation, I am well aware of the need to stretch every dollar that is available. I work with our board each year to craft a balanced budget and recognize the challenges of program costs, facilities maintenance and staffing while costs continue to increase.

The first step is to look at how our money is being spent — for each program, contract, expense, are we maximizing our dollars? Are there ways to save money on what we are currently doing? Are there grants or any private funds available that could fill in gaps?

It’s clear that traditional funding may not be available or as reliable as it’s been in years past. North Allegheny has not raised taxes over the last three years. I’ll pursue a balance between staying competitive and will not unnecessarily raise taxes.

Emily Theys

Age: 43

Political party: Democrat; I am a Democrat because I believe in common sense not culture wars, preventing book bans, protecting our libraries and pursuing excellence for the North Allegheny School District.

Education: B.A., English, Allegheny College; MFA, nonfiction, Sarah Lawrence College

Occupation: Grant writer

Community involvement/volunteer work: Youth softball coach for Pittsburgh Power and BradMarPine; board secretary for BradMarPine; former PFA co-president at Marshall Elementary School

Years residing in district/municipality: 5 years, McCandless

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

As a nonprofit grant writer with 15-plus years experience managing budgets for arts organizations nationwide, I make strategic, cost-effective decisions that serve both mission and community. At North Allegheny, we’re preparing all students for success in a changing world, which requires thoughtful investment in people, programs and places.

Essential building renovations are on the horizon; I fully support the improvements needed to modernize our schools in a fiscally responsible way.

Balancing large capital needs with taxpayer concerns requires a long-term view: prioritizing high-impact projects, maintaining transparency and avoiding costly short-term fixes. I will advocate for multiyear financial planning, community input and funding through grants and partnerships to ease the burden on homeowners.

As a parent and homeowner, I understand the need to protect educational quality while keeping taxes manageable. Responsible stewardship, clear communication and collaboration with educators, families and stakeholders will guide my approach of supporting growth and innovation within our community’s financial realities.

What programs or initiatives should be funded, continued and/or implemented for North Allegheny to maintain its status as a top-ranked school district?

North Allegheny has long been recognized for academic excellence, and we must keep evolving to meet the needs of today’s learners. That means investing in rigorous academics and a well-rounded experience that includes arts, athletics, STEM and mental wellness. I believe quality mental health support, inclusive curriculum and excellent extracurriculars help ensure that every student is both supported and challenged.

As a grant writer and strategist, I bring a unique perspective on sustaining high-impact programs without unnecessary spending. I will advocate for smart investments aligned with strategic goals, especially in teacher recruitment and retention, diverse learning opportunities and technology that enhances instruction.

Protecting our libraries and ensuring access to age-appropriate, inclusive materials is essential to developing critical thinkers. I will stand firmly against censorship and support educational freedom as part of a strong academic foundation.

With thoughtful planning and a commitment to excellence, we can preserve what makes North Allegheny exceptional while continuing to grow and innovate.