Pine-Richland school board election includes 4-way race to fill 2 of 3 open seats

Voters in the Pine-Richland School District will elect at least two new board members when they cast their votes in the Nov. 2 general election.

According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, two are vying for a vacancy as the Region 1 representative created with the resignation of school director Ben Campbell in April. The board appointed Amy Hayden to complete the remainder of Campbell’s term, which expires at the end of the year. She did not seek election to a full, four-year term.

In Region 2, voters will decide a four-way race to fill two seats with only one incumbent among the field of candidates.

The Region 3 race is uncontested for the fall. Incumbent board member Katarzyna Swope, who was appointed in December 2019, was defeated in the Republican and Democratic primaries by John Joseph Cassidy.

Region 1 (vote for 1)

Ashley Fortier

Party: Democrat

Age: 38

Education: B.S. in psychology from University of Pittsburgh

Occupation: Stay-at-home parent and volunteer

If elected, what are two short-term goals? Keeping kids in school safely and leveraging resources to help alleviate the social-emotional toll of the pandemic on students, families and staff. To ensure that the board moves forward on policy intended to advance equity and inclusion for all students.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? From my perspective, relationships are the key to growth and understanding. I will build relationships throughout the district. I want to see and hear for myself the impact of the decisions made at the board level on all stakeholders. I want trust and collaboration so we can move Pine-Richland forward and leverage all of our strengths to better serve every student, every day.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? I will be accessible on a regular basis to answer questions and hear concerns from parents and community members. In order to address the issue of transparency, I want to create a more user friendly platform for sharing and clarifying board agendas and topics. As a result, constituents will have more time to be part of the process and give feedback.

Lisa Hillman

Party: Republican

Age: 49

Education: The Ohio State University, B.A. politicalscience

Occupation: Homemaker, former public policy and data analyst

If elected, what are two short-term goals? One short-term goal I have is to ensure that Pine-Richland parents and community members have a voice in the decision-making process, as well as a clear understanding of how decisions are made and carried out by the board and the administration. Another short-term goal I have is to ensure that Pine-Richland parents and community members have an opportunity to engage in open and meaningful dialogue with school board members and administrators regarding school policies, curriculum, etc. and have a reasonable expectation that their concerns will be taken seriously and addressed appropriately.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? One long term goal I have is to improve the overall environment of our schools, where all students and teachers feel valued and respected, and have the opportunity to attain the skills needed to reach their individual potential.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? I want to see our school board allow for more input and open discussion with its’ members during scheduled school board meetings. Our community needs to know their voices and concerns are being heard. As a school board member, I will also encourage in person meetings with the public, as well as individual communication via email or phone calls. I will provide a timely response when addressing concerns by parents or community members.

Region 2 (vote for 2)

Christina Brussalis

Party: Republican

Age: 47

Education: B.A., Baldwin Wallace College

Occupation: Homemaker, former consultant

If elected, what are two short-term goals? I will advocate for instituting immediate and greater transparency to rebuild trust within our community. Pine-Richland is a public school, and as a public school, the public should be aware and should provide input on educational policy and curriculum. I am also committed to providing greater leadership and oversight to ensure that all of our children have a safe learning environment. Student safety must be a priority over preserving public image. I support a review of the processes to investigate, address and report student safety issues.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? It is the job of the school board to provide leadership, stewardship and governance. Our goal and vision for the district should be simply stated: to make Pine-Richland the top school district in the region on every metric to ensure the best education for our children and an attractive community for residents. I am not afraid to say that I want to be the best, whether it’s in our educational programs, on the field in our sports programs, or in co-curricular offerings. We should strive to provide the best opportunities in and outside of the classroom so that all of our children are not just prepared to go to trade school or college, but that they have the foundations for success to tackle the challenges of the future and to become lifelong learners.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? In recent weeks, my PR Kids First colleagues and I have pushed for more openness and transparency in our board meetings. We believe that the current school board prevents, discourages, and limits the ability of citizens to witness decision making and to voice concerns over important actions. We have pressed the current school board for more disclosure and have also pointed out current policies that unconstitutionally limit public speech at board meetings. In addition to more open and transparent board meetings, town hall forums and public planning workshops can further facilitate community engagement.

Christine Misback

Party: Democrat

Age: 61

Education: B.S. in physical therapy, University of Maryland School of Medicine (1982); Certificate in The Management Program, Crummer School of Business, Rollins College (1991)

Occupation: Vice president, Pine-Richland School Board (2017- present)

If elected, what are two short-term goals? As a current school director, my value as a school director is in my intense preparatory work. This includes the information I gather, my interest in all issues, volunteering in the school community and perspective that I bring to the issues we face. My power as a school director is in being a contributing member of the cohesive Team of 10 with my eight colleagues and the superintendent. We do not set goals individually but annually as a team based on the strategic plan, guided by the district mission created together with the community, to focus on learning for every student every day. One short-term goal this year uses covid mitigation measures of masking and social distancing to keep our students in the classroom so they can grow and develop together socially and emotionally as well as learn effectively inside and outside the classroom. For those who learn better remotely, the PR Virtual Academy is a newer developing option to accommodate their learning style.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? I am currently one of two Pine-Richland board member representatives on the Beattie Career Center Joint Operating Committee. I also serve on the Pine-Richland Beattie Awareness Committee, and the K-12 School Counseling Advisory Council that promotes the PA Academic Standards for Career Education and Work: career awareness and preparation, career acquisition, career retention and advancement, and entrepreneurship. I have a sincere interest in assuring that when students are choosing their classes for the next school year, they are aware of the hands-on programs and state of the art resources and tools that are available to them at the Beattie Center. These options include certifications and work experience that will help them in their future, along with their classes at Pine-Richland, as they advance onto higher education and/or a career post high school.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? There are many opportunities for community members to be involved in receiving information and communicating their varying feedback and input, on board governance, curriculum/programming, policy, budget, finance and operations. The more consistent options are through reading district or school email news and attending board and board committee meetings to stay informed. Many community members communicate through email to their student’s teacher, administration, or board member of a more specific, personal nature. Community members also have more focused options to be a part of the process when the district is instituting new programming or policies and procedures, through involvement and participation in: leadership councils, townhall meetings, strategic planning sessions, in-depth program review community sessions, and through PTO and community organization leadership positions that communicate with administrators and attend Key Communicator meetings. I am involved in all of these and available. There are a multitude of ways to be involved and make a difference for our students.

Russell Patterson

Party: Democrat

Age: 42

Education: Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education; Doctor of Philosophy in Reading Education; Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility; All degrees are from the University of Pittsburgh

Occupation: Principal (educator)

If elected, what are two short-term goals? I want to bring change to our current school board. One short-term goal that I have is to ensure that students that have to be quarantined due to possible exposure to covid-19 have access to a qualified teacher and their curriculum. Students should not have to miss out on their learning because they are quarantining. Another short term goal that I have is to provide clarity on the district’s bullying policies and processes to ensure that those that have been victims of bullying and/or harassment receive the appropriate supports. I have spoken to several community members that have reported their concerns to district administrators but they are unclear on the outcome of their personal situations.

If elected, what is one long-term goal? I have spoken to many tax paying residents that have expressed their concerns about not having a full day kindergarten option. As a result of not having this option, they have to look elsewhere for their children to go to school for the kindergarten year. As an advocate for high quality early childhood education, I am a firm believer that full day kindergarten should be offered as an option in our district. Our community continues to expand and there are an increasing number of children entering our district from families where both parents are working full-time, therefore we should provide a full day kindergarten option for those families.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? As a candidate for Region 2 school director I have spoken with constituents in various forums such as meet and greets, football games, community days, and school functions. Additionally, I have been active on social media reading and responding to various concerns. I am a firm believer that this accessibility should not stop once the campaign is over. As school director I will be committed to transparency and putting the constituent’s voice at the forefront of everything that I do.

Amy Terchick

Party: Republican

Age: 50

Education: BS in Elementary Education, Penn State 1993; MEd in Curriculum and Instruction, UNC-Greensboro 1999

Occupation: Account manager and professional organizer

If elected, what are two short-term goals? Rebuild trust within our school community with transparency regarding decisions made by our schools. Implement policy that will have our schools be a safe place to learn for ALL of our students

If elected, what is one long-term goal? To create an environment where parents, teachers and students feel valued. These members of our community deserve to have their concerns voiced and considered. Pine-Richland should be a place where everyone can grow to their fullest potential.

How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process? As a candidate, I have been meeting with members of the community regularly to gain feedback. My plan is to continue that, if I am fortunate enough to be elected. Constituents should be encouraged engage with the board at meetings and send emails, and their concerns should be addressed. Town hall style discussions would be a great way to engage the community.