5 candidates compete for 4 open seats on Franklin Regional school board

Five candidates will compete for four open seats on the Franklin Regional school board in the Nov. 4 election, and their goals and concerns cover a wide range of topics.

Marketing and graphic design business owner Shannon Venditti received the highest number of votes on the Republican ballot, but will appear on the Democratic ticket as well. She said young families are under-represented in the district’s decision-making process.

“Families with children have valuable perspectives that need to be heard and considered,” said Venditti, 39. “I will make sure younger families — who don’t always have a voice — are heard. I would bring a perspective and decision-making approach that respects our traditions, while also focusing on investing wisely in our schools so we can attract talented educators, elevate our student-athletes and provide every child with the tools to achieve their very best.”

Amy Sheridan received the highest number of votes in the primary, and will appear on the Democratic ballot; all candidates in the race were cross-filed

“Across the board, I think what we’re asking from the administration is to carefully use the resources that we in the community provide them,” she said. “I think there’s a better way for us to do this at the school-board level.”

Sheridan, 54, a software designer with Acclaro Design, pointed to the development — and the board’s ultimate rejection — of a district-wide survey last year to gather information from parents, teachers and students.

“The school district devoted a whole lot of time to creating that survey, how to make it anonymous, it was a lot of work. And then in the end, they voted it down 5-4,” she said. “To me, that’s a waste of resources.”

Sheridan said she is often the only member of the public left at school board meetings once student accolades are handed out.

“I’m willing to be that nerdy band mom who reads the agendas and goes and asks questions,” she said. “So I might as well put that time to use for a district I love.”

Incumbent Debra Wohlin, 60, previously served on the board and was appointed in 2024 to finish out the term of Herb Yingling, who resigned because of health issues.

“I’ve seen Franklin Regional face rising costs, aging facilities and the challenge of sustaining achievement,” said Wohlin, a disability advocate. “I have a proven record for not only supporting eliminating the duplication of efforts and exploring private partnerships, but I’ve also come to the table with real solutions, and I’ve been willing to do the work to see them through.”

Like Wohlin, incumbent board member Kevin Kurimsky will appear on both ballots. Kurimsky said his focus is on creating the most opportunities for good education.

“A strength I deeply value at Franklin Regional is its commitment to preparing students for life beyond graduation — whether that means college, a trade, the workforce or another meaningful path,” said Kurimsky, 50, vice president of global sales marketing at a fungal diagnostics laboratory.

“One of the main challenges we face is keeping pace with this ever-evolving landscape, academically, athletically and artistically,” he said. “In order to do this our classrooms, labs, performance spaces and athletic facilities should remain updated to support hands-on learning, creativity, teamwork and personal growth.”

Bill Csaszar, 57, will appear on the Republican ballot. He said his focus will be on reducing the district’s expenditures.

“I do the budget for the maintenance department where I work at Penn-Trafford,” Csaszar said. “I’m familiar with the process. I’d like to look at why our budget is so high. We have to cut the budget somehow.”

Csaszar said he’d like to make those cuts in a way that doesn’t affect students.

“I think we can start is to bring some of our repairs in-house instead of using outside contractors,” he said. “That’s one of the ways we’ve saved thousands of dollars in the Penn-Trafford maintenance budget. I’d like to see if I can bring that to the Franklin Regional board.”

Candidates are running for a four-year term on the school board.