With two school directors deciding not to seek re-election, the Norwin School Board will have at least two new faces on the board next year.
Three incumbents and six challengers are on the May 21 ballot in competition for five open seats. All nine candidates have cross-filed.
Directors Robert Perkins, a former board president, and Dennis Rittenhouse, have opted not to seek re-election. Each is completing a fifth term.
Incumbents Darlene Ciocca of North Huntingdon and Tracey Czajkowski of North Huntingdon are seeking re-election. Ciocca is seeking a third term while Czajkowski is seeking a second term. Ciocca and Czajkowski are both registered Republicans
Incumbent William Essay, a former North Huntingdon commissioner, was appointed to the school board in January by Westmoreland County Court. Essay was named to complete the term of Shawn Petrisko, who resigned in August. His resignation sparked a months-long split among board members who could not agree on a replacement.
Newcomers seeking a board seat are Democrats Robert Eagleson, Kimberly Piekut and Patrick Lynn, all of North Huntingdon; and Republicans JoAnna Jordan and Robert Wayman, both of Irwin, and Keith Genicola.
Lynn and Piekut both sought the judicial appointment in January. Lynn is the son of former director Al Lynn. Wayman, a retired teacher, is a former mayor of Irwin.
