5 Deer Lakes School Board candidates make case for 4 open seats

Voters in the Deer Lakes School District have many options to choose from when considering their next school board members this November.

There are five candidates in the running for four open seats.

Incumbents Jeremy Love, 49, and Kristi Minnick, 55, are cross-filed with newcomer, Darlene Lutty, 55. After being cross-filed in the May primary, incumbent Jonathan Majernik, 46, will appear only on the Democrat ballot while newcomer Dominic Distilo, 44, will be on the Republican ballot.

Bolstering finances seemed to be the candidates’ top concern.

Minnick, of West Deer, has served on the board for eight years. She said fiscal responsibility remains a critical task for the board.

“In my eight years on the board, we’ve raised taxes only twice — maintaining strong financial health while meeting student and staff needs,” Minnick said. “We continue to pursue grants and advocate for state funding reform, especially following the William Penn School District v. Pennsylvania Department of Education decision declaring the state’s funding model unconstitutional.”

Minnick is the Deer Lakes School Board treasurer, finance committee chairperson and policy committee co-chairperson. She serves on the Allegheny Intermediate Unit board. She also serves as vice president and booster volunteer with Deer Lakes golf, hockey and baseball teams.

She said the district has worked to set itself up to conduct needed projects while maintaining manageable taxes.

“Because we were proactive in managing past projects, the district is well-positioned to maintain its capital assets responsibly — balancing quality facilities with fiscal prudence,” Minnick said.

Minnick earned her bachelor’s degree in management information systems from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She works as a vice president for quality and automation.

Lutty, a newcomer from West Deer, worked in daycare, taught summer school at Deer Lakes for the Community College of Allegheny County, and eventually worked her way up to the administrative level at the Huntington Learning Center. She now runs her own business in West Deer.

“Voters should know that I hear them — while door-knocking, in the store, at church, at West Deer’s and East Deer’s community days, in my driveway or at the school board meetings,” Lutty said. “I will consider all that you have confided if discussing it on an agenda item.”

Lutty said she assisted on a committee to help implement a nonprofit fund for Deer Lakes that will allow companies, corporations and individuals to help serve students and teachers with new and old projects and services.

If elected, Lutty hopes to help with the recent division she has seen both within the school district and the country.

“I intend to cooperate professionally on this bipartisan platform with my mind and ears open to ideas, regardless of who is speaking, and to use my education, work experience and the common sense I was brought up with when responding, presenting ideas and voting,” Lutty said.

Distilo, another newcomer out of West Deer, said it’s essential to conduct an annual evaluation of district programs to assess their effectiveness and impact.

“This process helps identify which initiatives provide meaningful benefits to students and which do not,” Distilo said. “Funding should be strategically reallocated based on program performance and overall importance. Resources from under-performing or ineffective programs can be redirected to support new initiatives with greater potential to serve student needs.”

Distilo said if elected, he wants to help increase transparency.

“I am committed to working collaboratively with our administration to ensure that information is shared with parents as quickly and clearly as possible,” he said. “Additionally, I strongly support video recording all public school board meetings and posting them on the district’s website. Providing visual access, not just audio, helps build trust, improves communication and allows the community to put a face to the voice.”

The father of a second grader and a fourth grader, Distilo also serves as a football and baseball coach.

Love, of East Deer, is seeking a second term. He said taking a strategic approach to utilizing funds is imperative.

“My goal would be to prioritize needs over wants — focusing first on projects and services that directly impact student success, safety and long-term operational efficiency,” he said. “Before taking on new initiatives, I’d look for ways to maximize existing resources, pursue grants and partnerships, and identify cost-saving opportunities through smarter purchasing, shared services and energy efficiency.”

Love emphasized the importance of transparency and communication with the public in case there are projects approved that might increase taxes.

“If a slight tax increase is ever considered, it should only be for projects that provide a clear, long-term return for our district and community,” he said.

Love said his focus is on fiscal responsibility and long-term planning to ensure every dollar supports student success. As education costs continue to rise, he plans to pursue grants, partnerships and new programs.

“Ultimately, it’s about protecting educational quality, supporting students and staff,” Love said.

Love is a lifelong resident of the district and a second-generation graduate of Deer Lakes. He has volunteered regularly at the district through booster programs and other events to support district athletics, arts programs and academics.

He founded and helped implement the Deer Lakes Lancers Foundation, a nonprofit supporting education, athletics and the arts through grants, donations and scholarships.

Majernik, of West Deer, said he’s hoping to increase district enrollment. He works with a revitalization committee that strives to bring new businesses into the community.

“If I am reelected, I am committed to working more closely with the various townships to ensure we partner on sustainable, responsible growth for West Deer, East Deer and Frazer,” he said.

Majernik said his career experience will aid him in looking at the district’s needs while considering taxpayers. He said continued investments in student safety and the district’s STEM programs are both worth pursuing.

Majernik earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Robert Morris University. He is vice president of national account sales at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

He regularly volunteers at district events and is a devoted volunteer for the district’s sport teams including Deer Lakes Youth Football, Deer Lakes Youth Basketball and Deer Lakes Youth Soccer. Majernik is also a Boy Scout leader.

A father of three, he said the education his children are receiving is top-notch.

“If reelected, I will continue to lead with integrity and a fierce commitment to champion the needs of the community,” Majernik said.