4 Republicans, 4 Democrats seek open seats on Plum School Board

Plum School Board could see some new faces, as eight candidates — split evenly between Republicans and Democrats — vie for four seats.

Among the candidates, three currently sit on the board, including the board president.

As the district continues its large building projects at O’Block Elementary School and Plum Middle School, the candidates say they’re mainly concerned about infrastructure and student performance improvements.

Here’s a look at the candidate along with their answers to a key question posed by the Advance Leader:

Angela Anderson (incumbent)

Age: 48

Political affiliation: Republican

Education: Bachelor’s degree in history from Geneva College; master’s degree from Loyola College; doctorate in education from Regent University

Occupation: Director of strategy and operations for Faith Academics

What is the biggest issue facing the district that the school board has the ability to fix?

The greatest issue facing our district is balancing our mission — to empower learners to thrive in a changing environment with inclusive, innovative learning experiences that foster problem-solving, critical thinking, and lifelong growth — with the responsibility of maintaining fiscal health for our community. Today’s students deserve safe, supportive environments, strong academics and meaningful extracurriculars.

PBSD has made significant progress — updating curriculum, enhancing facilities and launching capital improvements to ensure our schools are updated, enhanced, safe and welcoming. We’ve prioritized professional development and support for all staff, and our administration has been recognized for its leadership. Through community engagement, we created a Portrait of a Graduate and finalized our Comprehensive Plan focused on student belonging, future readiness and lifelong learning.

It is an exciting time as the district reimagines all of what education can be for our student body. Yet, none of this can happen without careful financial stewardship.

Megan Chuderewicz (incumbent)

Age: 45

Political affiliation: Republican

Education: Bachelor’s degree in international studies and political science from West Virginia Wesleyan College; master’s degree in counseling psychology from Chatham University; master’s degree in business administration from Waynesburg University

Occupation: Manager for a real estate company

What is the biggest issue facing the district that the school board has the ability to fix?

Right now, we have the control over how we oversee the construction projects at O’Block and the middle school. We need to make sure we stay on budget for the benefit of all taxpayers.

We have to continue to focus on seeking alternative revenue sources and partnerships to fund projects.

Thomas Feeney

Age: 49

Political affiliation: Republican

Education: Associate degree in architectural design and computer systems management

Occupation: Lead carpenter and architect

What is the biggest issue facing the district that the school board has the ability to fix?

The school district is in the process of working toward remodeling some of our buildings. My background in construction would make me a valuable asset to the board and the district.

I am very familiar with construction documents and building practices. This is a huge project using taxpayer dollars. With my experience, I can help find areas to save the taxpayers money.

Adam Hill

Age: 48

Political affiliation: Democrat

Education: Bachelor’s degree in information sciences and technology from Penn State University

Occupation: Systems engineer

What is the biggest issue facing the district that the school board has the ability to fix?

The district’s major renovation plans have exceeded budgets by $9 million, risking delays or cuts that could affect student safety and academic resources.

As a school director, I will emphasize disciplined fiscal oversight, transparent project planning and early stakeholder engagement to prioritize critical infrastructure and safety while ensuring positive outcomes for students and taxpayers.

Tiffany Hyde

Age: 37

Political affiliation: Democrat

Education: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from California University of Pennsylvania (now Penn West)

Occupation: Licensing analyst with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

What is the biggest issue facing the district that the school board has the ability to fix?

Ensuring the safety and security of our students and staff, and balancing the growing demands that come with it, is just as important as addressing the financial strain on families in our community, and our school district has the ability and responsibility to address both of these.

Recent tax increases have made it harder for many residents, and I believe we can make more thoughtful, accountable decisions that put students first while respecting the taxpayers who support them. By pursuing outside funding sources, prioritizing safety and expanding programs that prepare students for whichever path life takes them beyond our schools, we can provide opportunity without added hardship.

Every student in Plum deserves a safe and supportive learning environment as well as access to a well-rounded education. Every resident deserves confidence that their district is being fiscally responsible. Together, these priorities will make Plum a stronger community.

Jill Klipa

Age: 38

Political affiliation: Democrat

Education: Bachelor’s degree in public relations from Slippery Rock University

Occupation: Office clerk

What is the biggest issue facing the district that the school board has the ability to fix?

The most obvious problem I see facing our school district is the massive cuts in the Department of Education and the loss of federal funding that we anticipate. Budgeting will certainly present a challenge in making up for that loss without compromising academic success.

Plum consistently underperforms in meeting the same standards in English Language Arts, science, and math that other neighboring school districts do, and we need to make up for that deficit while having less federal funding coming our way.

We’re going to need to get creative and focus on putting policies in place that can improve the educational environment and process while being fiscally responsible. We need to make the most of the time we have with Plum students to prepare them to enter a quickly evolving workforce.

Beverly Purcell (appointed to board)

Age: 65

Political affiliation: Republican

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Occupation: Retired; longtime former special educator

What is the biggest issue facing the district that the school board has the ability to fix?

The biggest issues facing the school district right now are balancing the budget and developing an incremental tax structure so that our taxpayers are not getting hit with an enormous tax increase all at once.

Currently, our federal funding is vulnerable and uncertain. As a school board we have a fiscal responsibility to maintain an affordable budget to ensure our taxpayers that we are providing a free and appropriate education for all students currently enrolled in the Plum Borough School District.

If the Federal Funding is eliminated, as a district, we would need to devise some strategies to raise additional revenue by possibly researching other available resources within our community.

Geter Sloan

Age: 34

Political affiliation: Democrat

Education: Penn Hills High School graduate; bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from California University of Pennsylvania (now Penn West)

Occupation: Vice president in financial sector

What is the biggest issue facing the district that the school board has the ability to fix?

One of the biggest issues facing the district is ensuring responsible and transparent spending that directly supports student achievement. Too often, resources are consumed by administrative costs or initiatives that lack measurable impact in the classroom.

The school board has the power to prioritize budgets that put students first, investing in high quality teachers, modern learning tools and safe facilities while maintaining fiscal accountability. By conducting regular financial audits, increasing public visibility into spending decisions and aligning every dollar to student outcomes, the board can restore community trust and ensure residents and students see a clear return on their investment.

Responsible spending isn’t just about saving money it’s about making intentional decisions that improve the educational experience for every child in the district.