5 candidates compete for 4 spots on Baldwin-Whitehall School Board

Four, four-year terms are up for grabs on the Baldwin-Whitehall School Board on Nov. 4, and according to the Allegheny County official candidate list, five candidates are competing for them. Incumbents Karen L. Brown and Amanda Priano are crossfiled Democratic/Republican, as is newcomer Ashley Miller. Another fresh face, Tara Abt, is filed as a Democrat, and incumbent Greg A. Zeman is filed as a Republican. Here are the candidates and their responses to questions from TribLive:

Tara Abt

Democrat

Age: 39

Education: Associate degree in medical assisting & business management

Occupation: Practice transformation specialist at Aledade Inc.

Community involvement/volunteer work: Coach for Baldwin Slow Pitch Softball Club & GBWAA

Years residing in district/municipality: 9 years

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 a community is only as strong as its residents. When state funding is limited, we can’t rely solely on tax increases to move forward. Instead, we should focus on community-driven solutions — encouraging residents to volunteer their time, share their skills and use local resources to support new projects and services. By rebuilding a sense of shared responsibility and pride, we can reduce costs, strengthen relationships and still make meaningful progress. Working together, we can maintain quality services and improvements without placing additional financial burdens on our taxpayers.

Do you think that there is a place for partisan politics on a school board?

I think there can be a place for partisan politics on a school board, but only if it doesn’t dominate decision-making. Every political party brings both strengths and weaknesses, and diverse perspectives can lead to more well-rounded discussions. However, it’s essential that board members act responsibly, remain open-minded and prioritize what’s best for students and the community over party loyalty. Respectful collaboration and understanding should guide every conversation. Political affiliation should never define how we treat one another or influence decisions meant to serve all families fairly.

Karen Brown

Democrat

Age: 74

Education: Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, master’s degree in administration

Occupation: Teacher

Community involvement/volunteer work: Served on the school board for 11 years, volunteer at church.

Years residing in district/municipality: All my life

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

It takes many hard decisions to balance a school budget these days. The needs of the students always come first. Facilities need to be maintained so that quality education can occur for the students. The taxpayers, many whom are retired, need to be considered as well. Projects may take longer. It is also important to continue to explore other sources of income.

Do you think that there is a place for partisan politics on a school board?

Partisan politics has no place on a school board. The students need to be the focus.

Ashley Miller

Republican

Age: 44

Education: Elementary Education K-6 Comprehensive - Marshall University

Occupation: Behavioral health educator at AHN Chill Project-TJ District

Community involvement/volunteer work: Former fifth grade chair for PTO; involved in special needs activities/sports in Baldwin and outside of Baldwin; PTSA member; parent volunteer within the school district; contributor to Women of Hope, which strengthens women in communities throughout the world through education, small business training and microfinance. Local business owner

Years residing in district/municipality: 11 years in Whitehall

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

We should look to where money is being allocated and where to adjust. Asking questions such as, “Does the new project advance our students or merely give recognition without ROI to our students?” When adding new projects/services, we need to focus on students’ educational outcomes. Money being spent should advance our students and those that are in the trenches: teachers, paraprofessionals, aides, bus drivers, etc. Citizens understand tax increases to retain our teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff, but the community must understand the reasoning behind significant budget changes. For example, there was an over $600,000 increase budgeted to administration salary for the 25/26 school year budget from the previous year, as opposed to the support staff instructional budget decreasing by over $200,000 for the same year. Transparency and explanation for decreases and increases in certain areas make a difference when explaining why taxes could be raised for new projects.

Do you think that there is a place for partisan politics on a school board? Do we live in a community that is partisan?

The answer to this question is no. I ran for the board to listen and help every family. We have two children and our son has special needs. I know the stress that comes with raising children in this day and age. I am here to work with everyone. When we stop listening and discussing with one another, we will stop growing as a society. I have been heavily involved in the school district and the community as the former director of Good Shepherd Christian Preschool. I have organized many events and worked with people from all different backgrounds, beliefs and political opinions. If we don’t work together, we are doing something wrong. Communication was the number one reason I ran and communication will continue to be at the top of the list when representing the entire community.

Amanda Priano

Age: 44

Republican

Education: Degree in business from Cedarville University

Occupation: Architectural associate

Community involvement/volunteer work: Current school director, volunteer musician at my church

Years residing in district/municipality: 23

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

Balancing the need for new projects and services with the responsibility to keep taxes manageable requires thoughtful planning, transparency and a clear understanding of community priorities. My approach begins with assessing whether proposed initiatives directly benefit students and align with our district’s long-term goals. We must seek efficiencies in current operations, pursue grants and alternative funding sources whenever possible, and ensure every dollar is spent responsibly. It’s also critical to engage the community early in the process, so stakeholders understand both the costs and the potential return on investment. While we must be fiscally responsible, we also can’t afford to underinvest in our students’ education. Just as important is maintaining the facilities we already have to maximize their lifespan and avoid more costly repairs or replacements down the road. The key is making informed, data-driven decisions that balance short-term affordability with long-term value.

Do you think that there is a place for partisan politics on a school board?

While I am a registered Republican, politics should not and do not impact the decisions made by the school board. As a school director, my primary responsibility is to advocate for the best possible experience and outcomes for our students. Every decision I make is guided by that commitment. It is essential that I approach each issue not through the lens of personal or political bias, but with the interests of our students at the forefront. My role is to listen, to understand, and to act in ways that support their growth, safety and success.

Greg Zeman

Zeman did not return multiple requests for comment for this article.