North Allegheny school director resigns

Kevin Mahler resigned from the North Allegheny School Board at the Sept. 21 meeting after serving since 2013.

“I’m simply burned out after 10 years of involvement, with almost nine of those as a board member,” he said.

Mahler said he got involved because he saw “a district that was coasting and a board that was making too many short-term decisions – which came into focus with the plan to close Peebles, but was so much bigger than that.”

“There simply was not enough focus on planning ahead, moving with the times educationally, and using data to make all those decisions. I believe (we) made progress on all of that – professionalizing our operations, beginning to modernize our educational program, putting increased emphasis on long-term goals, and looking outward rather than just inward,” he said.

He warned against decisions based on personal agendas and “making mountains out of mole hills.”

“I hope the board replaces me with someone who shares the same vision,” he said.

“Likewise, I hope our voters will think critically when selecting future board members,” he said. “My advice is this: If someone tells you that solutions are easy and budget cuts are painless, don’t take them seriously.

He thanked Superintendent of Schools Dr. Melissa Friez and administration, commenting on their professionalism and commitment to students. And he also thanked students.

The board unanimously accepted his resignation, after which he exited the meeting.

Mahler, a resident of McCandless, is married with two of his children being NA graduates and one son presently in eighth grade.

His term was set to expire December 2023. Board member Elizabeth Warner noted that Mahler was elected three times and on an independent ticket.

Board Director Marcie Crow acknowledged that while she and Mahler were “rarely on the same side” of many issues, they “could always work together with the highest regard and a lot of respect.”

“This is not a small role to take on and I thank you for never hesitating to speak up and share your point of view,” said fellow Director Paige Hardy.

The school district has posted the board vacancy on its website. The person who fills the seat will serve until December 2023.

Applicants must be 18 as of the date of the appointment, have good moral character, be a resident of the school district, have no record of conviction for any felony offense or any misdemeanor offense involving dishonesty or other “moral turpitude.”

Instructions on how to apply is on the district website at https://www.northallegheny.org/Page/3026.

Applications must be submitted by Oct. 7.

A special voting session meeting to address or fill the vacancy will be held on Oct. 19 in the A.W. Beattie Career Center, on 9600 Babcock Blvd., at 7 p.m.,

School board director Dr. Vidya Szymkowiak said, “I think it’s healthy that we have different viewpoints and different backgrounds. But we are all neighbors, and we need each other.”