Challenger slate 'Together for PR' sweeps election for Pine-Richland School Board

A slate of Democratic candidates swept the fight for four seats that were up for election Tuesday on the Pine-Richland School Board, according to unofficial Allegheny County Election Results.

The four candidates running across three district regions — Liz DeLosa in Region 1; Amy Cafardi and Melissa Vecchi in Region 2; and Randy Augustine in Region 3 — were running a campaign as “Together for PR.”

DeLosa, a Democrat, was unopposed in the primary and won both the Democratic and Republican nominations. Augustine, a registered Republican, received a Democratic nomination.

They defeated an opposing slate, “Common Sense for PR,” that was headed by Region 2 candidate Christina Brussalis, the only incumbent member of the board up for reelection. Brussalis said early in the evening that she was conceding.

The other candidates were Eddie Boczar, an independent conservative, in Region 1; Robert Stein in Region 2; and Christopher David Griffin in Region 3.

Cafardi said she was “extremely honored and humbled by the results.

“Our community came together and spoke loudly with one voice, demanding change. Now we can begin to heal and move forward with a shared goal of excellence for our school district,” she said.

“I would like to thank everyone who supported me and my slate throughout the journey,” Cafardi said. “Melissa, Randy, Liz and I are excited for the opportunity to serve our community and we are focused on restoring trust, improving transparency and ensuring the best possible education for all our students.”

The results of the election will change the 5-4 majority of the board, headed currently by board President Philip Morrissette, who was not up for election this year, and Vice President Lisa Hillman, who did not seek reelection.

In addition to Morrissette, Hillman and Brussalis, that majority also included Leslie Miller and Michael Wiethorn, whose seats were not up for election this year.

That majority in March had approved a controversial new library policy, which some residents decried as a “book ban.” At several board meetings since, opponents have noted that no books have been removed from school libraries using the policy.

The majority had also approved a budget for the current school year with no tax increase, over Superintendent Brian Miller’s recommendation of a 2.1% property tax increase, which was about half of the 4% that was possible.

The district now faces a $4.9 million deficit for the 2026-27 school year, with administrators recommending a maximum 3.5% property tax increase and suggesting the district seek to exceed that because of special education costs.

Vote counts according to unofficial Allegheny County election results, with all precincts reporting:

Region 1

• Liz DeLosa (D/R): 2,273

• Eddie Boczar (CFT): 1,256

Region 2

• Amy Cafardi (D): 1,966

• Melissa Vecchi (D): 1,944

• Christina Brussalis (R): 1,519

• Robert Stein (R): 1,451

Region 3

• Randy Augustine (D): 1,657

• Christopher David Griffin (R): 1,179