Democrats take 3 of 5 Plum school board seats

While Republicans in Plum secured a sweep of borough council seats and the district judge’s office serving the borough and Oakmont, results were more mixed for the Plum School Board.

With full slates of candidates vying for five seats, Democrats won three of them while Republicans took home two, according to complete but unofficial Allegheny County election results.

Among Democrats, winning seats were incumbents Michelle Stepnick and Michael Caliguiri and newcomer Renee Richardson.

Republicans winning seats are Mark Stropkaj and Lindsay Arenth.

Board member Amy Wetmore, chair of the Plum Democratic Committee, lost her own bid for reelection, but was happy that her party retained three of the five seats.

She was happier about the election of Richardson, who she said is the first Black woman to be elected to office in Plum and the first Black person elected to the school board.

“I couldn’t be more proud. I think that with her on the board, we’re in good hands,” she said. “I’m excited Michelle and Mike will be able to continue the work we started.”

She was disappointed that Justin Newman was not successful. A Democrat, Newman came in sixth in the race for five seats behind Stepnick.

“It’s a loss for the community,” she said. “He’s an amazing person.”

Steve Schlauch, chair of the Plum Republican Committee, is a former school board member who was among Republicans winning seats on borough council. Despite the effort they put into all the races in Plum, he acknowledged coming up short on the school board.

He congratulated Arenth and Stropkaj on their wins.

“It was not for lack of effort,” he said. “It comes down to the voters. They voted like they did.”