3 incumbents, 2 newcomers in Carlynton School Board race

Five people are in the running for four seats on the Carlynton School Board.

Candidates for this fall’s general election are incumbents Leeanne Mitchell-O’Brien, Susie Puskar and Christine Simcic; and newcomers Brittany Bova and Reece Smith.

Here’s what the candidates had to say in response to questions asked by the Signal Item:

Brittany Bova

Age: 37

Education: Schenley High School, bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and sociology from Edinboro University.

Occupation: School-based mental health service coordinator

What is a long-term goal, if elected?

If I am elected to the Carlynton School Board, one of my long-term goals will be to increase accessibility and communication between the board and the community.

Too often, I’ve heard from parents, students and residents that they don’t know who their school board members are or how to contact them. That disconnect matters—and it’s something I want to change.

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

If elected, I will work to: Organize regular meet-and-greet events with board members; attend school events to stay visible and approachable; and create open lines of communication so community members feel comfortable reaching out with questions, concerns or ideas.

I believe that strong schools are built through strong relationships, and I’m committed to being a board member who listens, shows up and works for the people of Carlynton.

Leeanne Mitchell-O’Brien

Age: 51

Education: BA, University of Pittsburgh; JD, University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Occupation: Healthcare attorney

What is a long-term goal, if elected?

Continue our focus on providing the best educational options for students of all different abilities while working to maintain the long-term viability of the district.

This is an ongoing challenge given our size and the overall lack of sufficient funding for education at the federal and state level.

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

Communication is a challenge. We know we need to work harder to push information out and solicit input through multiple forums and forms, remembering that our stakeholders access information in different — not always electronic — ways.

Adding a virtual board meeting option helps, but we need to look for more ongoing opportunities.

Susie Puskar

Age: 43

Education: Masters of Public Affairs from Indiana University

Occupation: Nonprofit executive

What is a long-term goal, if elected?

Every student in our district should graduate college-ready and career-ready. Graduates should have a clear plan for their future, the skills to achieve it and the confidence to adapt in a changing world.

Since joining the board in 2020, I’ve worked to strengthen opportunities that help students discover their paths and build the supports they need to succeed. There’s still important work ahead. If reelected, I will continue advancing this vision so every student leaves our schools prepared, resilient and ready to take on what comes next.

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

We communicate with constituents and involve them through many channels, including the In Carlynton Magazine, social media, emails, surveys, monthly Superintendent Forums, open comment in board meetings and more. A volunteer committee recently created an excellent communications plan. However, I have expressed concerns about our capacity to deliver it without dedicated staff, a significant expenditure for a district our size.

Personally, I stay connected with constituents through e-mail and at in-person events in the district. I value hearing from constituents — what is working, what needs attention, and how we can continue building a district rooted in transparency and trust.

Christine Simcic

Age: 58

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration

Occupation: Human resources

What is a long-term goal, if elected?

Provide the students of Carlynton School District with a first-class educational experience that will prepare them for higher education or the workforce upon graduation. Ensure that the staff, facilities and curriculum are in place to do so.

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

By engaging with constituents on many levels — by encouraging and supporting a district level communication plan that includes stakeholder surveys, social media, committees and community events.

Constituents can reach out to me at any time via email or phone call. In addition, I will personally and proactively reach out to community members for input when considering high-level district plans.

Reece Smith

Age: 22

Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics, minor in mathematics.

Occupation: Financial planning

What is a long-term goal, if elected?

My main goal is to increase community involvement in the school board’s decision-making process. This will allow the board to hear more ideas, better anticipate shortcomings of particular policies and solutions, and build consensus before action; thereby building goodwill in the community and decreasing how many families feel caught off guard when new policies are announced.

A school board leading without robust community feedback leads blindly.

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

There are multiple changes I’d like to see to increase communication and engagement with the community. Board meetings should be hybrid, not just livestreamed. We should release meeting agendas earlier, even if it’s just a draft, as people need time to give feedback on the items being considered.

The board should have a greater discussion of agenda items. The board should do meet-and-greet style events so community members can meet them in a less intimidating setting than a board meeting. The district Facebook page could share their posts in the community Facebook groups.