Shaler Area residents to elect 5 school board members, with contested races for 3 seats

Voters in the Shaler Area School District’s first and second regions have choices to make for school board on Nov. 4.

Five of the board’s nine seats are up for election, with contested races for three of the five — two seats in Region 1 and one seat in Region 2.

Three newcomers to the board are vying for two seats in Region 1. They are Democrat Daeja Baker, Republican Ken Vybiral and Amy Goldberg.

Goldberg won the Democratic nomination in the primary. After Republican primary winner Martin O’Brien Jr. withdrew in July, the party selected Goldberg as a substitute, Allegheny County elections Director David Voye said.

Goldberg and Vybiral, both Reserve residents, are running together as a “hometown team,” they said.

The Region 2 race is between incumbent Democrat Elizabeth Dunn and Republican challenger Ralph P. Koch.

In Region 3, newcomer Robert S. Cessar is unopposed for a four-year seat after defeating incumbent board member Todd Saulle for both nominations and Democrat Jill Crivelli. Incumbent board member Edward J. Kress is unopposed for a two-year seat in the ward and has both party nominations.

Here is a look at the candidates in the contested races:

REGION 1

Daeja Baker

Age: 35

Municipality of residence: Millvale

Party: Democrat

Education: BFA in creative writing, MFA in creative writing, current student for a master of social work

Occupation: Program director

Community involvement/volunteer work: I cook for multiple food distributions for the unhoused, I work in recovery, I do mental health crisis support, I collect food and clothing items for children and adults in the community, I run a mutual aid group that fundraises every Friday and a disability mutual aid group that fundraises every Monday.

Years residing in district/municipality: Three

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

With the current system that we have, it is imperative that we lean on and advocate for funds for education at the state level. I will work with our state representatives to bring more money back to the district while also working with other school board members to find funders for projects that are in immediate need of being completed in the school district. I am well aware that taxes not being raised at all does hurt the school district as we start to dip into our reserve funds. I believe that there is a balance between state funding, private funders and grants, as well as minimal tax raises that need to happen to balance what is needed in our school district with our responsibility to residents and their families.

What is your position on the district’s recently announced “Building for Tomorrow” plan, which calls for closing Shaler Area Elementary School and housing grades K-5 in the district’s four primary schools and sixth grade at the middle school?

My position is that we should support the students, teachers and parents that this will affect. I do not ever want to close a school if it is unnecessary. If there will be this change, there needs to be measures in place to support this transition, especially for the students. I understand that this is a fiscally responsible approach, but I also worry about some things. I am worried about what is going to happen to the arts programs, how students with special needs will be supported through this transition and how other extracurricular activities will be affected in the schools. My understanding in speaking to teachers is that there is room for this to happen. I would love a more detailed plan from the school district and for more teacher, student and parent involvement to happen within that plan so that we know the concerns and what should be done to alleviate those concerns and make this a smooth transition for everyone. I would also want to make sure that the selling of the property would positively benefit the school district and community. With a strong strategic plan, this can work. Without a comprehensive plan, this will fail students and hurt their education.

Amy B. Goldberg

Age: 55

Municipality of residence: Reserve

Party: Democrat

Education: CCAC and Shadyside School of Nursing

Occupation: Event chef

Community involvement/volunteer work: PA Women Works — 3 Cups of Coffee program; 2025 Millvale Market Day

Years residing in district/municipality: 12

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

I believe that we all understand that our cost of living has increased. Through better budgeting and allocation of funds, I believe there can be a better way to balance how much is spent and what funds are spent on. Prioritizing projects and services is also a key factor.

What is your position on the district’s recently announced “Building for Tomorrow” plan, which calls for closing Shaler Area Elementary School and housing grades K-5 in the district’s four primary schools and sixth grade at the middle school?

I believe this topic requires further discussions. If I am elected, I will work with the fellow board members to be sure this is the best path forward for the district and for the students. I also believe that, like all proposals, there are good and bad points.

Ken Vybiral

Age: 74

Municipality of residence: Reserve

Party: Republican

Education: Master of science in leadership and business ethics from Duquesne University

Occupation: School crossing guard for Shaler Area School District/Reserve Township

Community involvement/volunteer work: Former Reserve Township commissioner at-large, currently serving on the Reserve Township Zoning Board, commander of American Legion Post 80 North Hills

Years residing in district/municipality: 31

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

Shaler Area School District relies primarily on three sources of income: state funding, local property taxes and federal aid. Outside sources of revenue will need to be addressed such as school bonds. There are post-secondary and proprietary school bonds which are legally binding agreements involving schools and government agencies. Also, delinquent property taxes need to be addressed. Reevaluating contracts/bids and spending all will help in keeping property taxes low.

What is your position on the district’s recently announced “Building for Tomorrow” plan, which calls for closing Shaler Area Elementary School and housing grades K-5 in the district’s four primary schools and sixth grade at the middle school?

I attended the meeting on Monday, Sept. 29, at Shaler Area High School hosted by Superintendent Bryan O’Black. There was a lot of information on the proposed realignment of the schools. I will be studying all the issues discussed. As a school board member, I will evaluate all the information to include input from the community. Not since the merger of Millvale, Reserve and Etna schools many years ago has a significant change like this taken place.

REGION 2

Elizabeth Dunn

Age: 49

Municipality of residence: Shaler

Party: Democrat

Education: University of Pittsburgh, Community College of Allegheny County

Occupation: Sustainable tech operations, small-business owner

Community involvement/volunteer work: Member of the Burchfield School Counseling Advisory Board, guest reader for Shaler Area 143 Day of Kindness, various community projects such as Etna Earth Day cleanup and Millvale Pride

Years residing in district/municipality: Eight

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

Given the ongoing budget impasse at the state level, it is essential to evaluate both the immediate and long-term consequences of reduced funding for our district. Like many other school districts in Pennsylvania, we are facing critical decisions about aging facilities that require significant financial investment.

We must remain focused on preserving and expanding the educational opportunities available to our students. These decisions affect not only our current families but also future generations of residents. Developing a sustainable financial plan, including projected tax impacts over time, is crucial. Providing our community with transparency and visibility into future needs allows for more informed support and engagement.

Earlier this year, I made a motion for a 0% tax increase. While I recognize the district’s urgent financial needs, I believe we cannot continue to raise taxes without a comprehensive and responsible plan. I was proud to work with our administration and fellow board members to reduce the original budget significantly. Moving forward, I will continue to collaborate with my colleagues to make decisions that are thoughtful, transparent and in the best interest of the entire community.

What is your position on the district’s recently announced “Building for Tomorrow” plan, which calls for closing Shaler Area Elementary School and housing grades K-5 in the district’s four primary schools and sixth grade at the middle school?

I support the plan to keep students in primary and elementary schools through fifth grade, with sixth grade becoming part of the middle school. This model has been used successfully in the past in Shaler Area and is developmentally appropriate for students.

Our neighborhood primary schools are one of the district’s strongest assets. We should continue to build on the strong foundation they provide. From a facilities standpoint, the current situation is not sustainable. We have school buildings that are operating well below capacity and require costly repairs. Continuing to maintain them in their current condition does not make fiscal or operational sense.

This decision reflects years of deferred planning and delayed maintenance. As a board member, I remain committed to putting students and teachers first. My hope is that this plan will expand opportunities for our students and strengthen our school community, not diminish it. We must make strategic investments in the future of Shaler Area, while working to ensure the financial burden is not disproportionately placed on taxpayers.

Ralph Koch

Age: 59

Municipality of residence: Shaler

Party: Republican

Education: BS, management, IUP

Occupation: Account manager

Community involvement/volunteer work: School board meetings

Years residing in district/municipality: Lifetime

With state funding often limited, how would you balance the need for new projects or services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable?

Need to advertise district, have sponsorship for stadium, etc. We need to live within our means and don’t overspend.

What is your position on the district’s recently announced “Building for Tomorrow” plan, which calls for closing Shaler Area Elementary School and housing grades K-5 in the district’s four primary schools and sixth grade at the middle school?

I am a little concerned, but it is right-sizing the district. That school was older when I went there. Need to tighten the belt on spending. We need to pinpoint our spending needs first and weigh out the risk-reward on spending.