Shaler Area School District to see contested races for 3 school board seats

Shaler Area School District voters will see contested November elections in two of the district’s three regions, with at least three new members likely to join the nine-member board, according to unofficial Allegheny County election results.

Five of the board’s nine seats are up for election this year, with four seats carrying four-year terms and one being a two-year seat. There will be contested races for two seats in the district’s Region 1 and for one seat in Region 2.

Four newcomers sought nominations for two seats in Region 1. Advancing as Democrats are Amy B. Goldberg and Daeja Baker; advancing as Republicans are Ken Vybiral and Bernard Martin O’Brien Jr.

Goldberg had been on the Democratic primary ballot only; Baker, O’Brien and Vybiral were cross-filed for the primary.

In Region 2, board member Elizabeth Dunn won the Democratic nomination for reelection to her seat. She will be challenged by Ralph P. Koch, who won the Republican nomination. Both were cross-filed for the primary.

Races for two seats in Region 3, one for a four-year term and one for a two-year term, will be uncontested.

For the four-year seat, newcomer Robert S. Cessar won both party nominations. He defeated board member Todd Saulle, who also was cross-filed, and newcomer Jill Crivelli, who was on the Democratic ballot.

For the two-year seat, board member Edward J. Kress was cross-filed and unchallenged for each nomination.

Unofficial election results with all precincts reporting and winners in bold:

REGION 1

Democrat

• Amy B. Goldberg: 837

• Daeja Baker: 749

• Ken Vybiral: 563

• Bernard Martin O’Brien Jr.: 425

Republican

• Ken Vybiral: 414

• Bernard Martin O’Brien Jr.: 339

• Daeja Baker: 85

REGION 2

Democrat

Elizabeth Dunn: 1,151

Ralph P. Koch: 269

Republican

Ralph P. Koch: 336

Elizabeth Dunn: 173

REGION 3: 4-YEAR SEAT

Democrat

Robert S. Cessar: 567

Todd Saulle: 512

Jill Crivelli: 465

Republican

Robert S. Cessar: 682

Todd Saulle: 101

REGION 3: 2-YEAR SEAT

Democrat

Edward J. Kress: 1,225

Republican

Edward J. Kress: 744