6 candidates battle for 4 open seats on Franklin Regional school board

Six candidates will compete in November’s election for four open seats on the Franklin Regional school board, with a seventh candidate, Diana Altieri Hand, running unopposed for a two-year seat after the 2020 resignation of board member Gary English.

All candidates are registered Republicans, but as is typical in school board elections, they are cross-­filed with both political parties.

Those seeking seats spoke with the Tribune-Review about their goals if elected. Their responses were edited for length.

George App

Age: 39

Occupation: Accountant at Education Growth Connection

Q: What do you see as the biggest issue facing the district, and how would you address it if elected?

A: The biggest issue facing the school district will always be keeping our focus on preparing our students for the future. Specifically, I believe it’s critical, now more than ever, that students be able to enter the post-Franklin Regional world with the ability to critically think, evaluate, understand and communicate information. Regardless of the path they choose to take, this will be a huge factor in a successful future. Many other of the board’s important decisions, such as curriculum and budgetary priorities, can be linked back to this idea. I would advocate that the board continue to prioritize critical thinking across all grade levels and support professional staff through curriculum evaluation and course offerings, and our academic and career exploration options. Fundamentally, we’ll fail our children if we don’t continually stress the importance of and provide ample opportunity to practice the aspects of critical thinking through all subjects.

Q: Why should voters choose you over your opponents?

A: I’m asking for your vote as a homeowner cognizant of financial pressures, as a parent of young children who has a vested interest in the success of our schools and community, and as a regular and engaged attendee of school board meetings, both in-person and virtual, for years. I bring a financial/accounting background as well as one of economic and workforce development to the board which will serve the community and our students well.

Mike Corcetti

Age: 36

Occupation: Financial adviser

Q: Biggest issue?

A: I am unaware what the current biggest issue facing the district is. It is best to assess the issues once elected and work collectively with the other board members to come to a solution best for the students and their academics.

Q: Why should voters choose you?

A: Voters should choose the individuals they trust and believe in. They need to have full faith and confidence their candidates will be able to get the job done in office.

Mark Kozlosky

Age: 46

Occupation: Pharmacist for Express Scripts

Q: Biggest issue?

A: Board members need to be prepared to conscientiously work through and make difficult decisions on numerous issues. I believe one of our most pressing concerns will be identifying and mitigating the negative impacts that the covid pandemic has created. I have seen the time and resources covid has stolen from our administrative team. I also have experienced with my own children the negative impact of how disruptive quarantine can be to learning. We as a board need to prioritize identifying educational gaps caused by these disruptions at an individual level. We owe it to our children to make responsible decisions that can best equip teachers, students and parents to work collaboratively to minimize or eliminate any long-term negative impacts of the pandemic.

Q: Why should voters choose you?

A: I am the only candidate running who is currently serving on the board. During my first term, I served on the curriculum, negotiations, safety, wellness and policy committees. I bring a level of experience and leadership unique from all of the other candidates and need no adjustment period to get up to speed on the issues that the board must face. I have shown an ability to work with those whom I agree or disagree with in a respectful and productive manner and have been able to make difficult decisions regardless of the environment. Solid decision-making requires consistency in evaluating an issue, free of personal agenda. My key focus is always on the direct impacts to the education and well-being of our students as well as ensuring that resources provided by the community members are used effectively and wisely.

Kevin Kurimsky

Age: 45

Occupation: Vice president for global sales at Transnetyx Inc.

Q: Biggest issue?

A: One main issue for the district will be to continue to face challenges brought on by the pandemic. I am greatly concerned about educational gaps along with the emotional and social impact on our students. I would like to see a consistent “across the board” approach to evaluation of these issues throughout the district. I believe we need to identify areas of inadequacy and call upon the best experts and provide the best resources we can find to provide solutions.

Q: Why should voters choose you?

A: I applaud all of the candidates for volunteering to serve Franklin Regional and this great community!I believe voters should know I have a firsthand look into the educational experience at the elementary, middle and senior high schools, with a child currently at each level. My career arms me with 20-plus years of experience handling multimillion-dollar budgets focusing on fiscal integrity. I am an involved parent volunteer and FR alum. I have lived in this community for 40-plus years, mostly as a taxpayer, and I wish to uphold the rich tradition of Franklin Regional. It’s my goal to ensure we continue forward as we face growth opportunities and challenges post-pandemic. I’m a large proponent of supporting programming in all pillars at FR, in academics, athletics and the arts. It is also my goal to come together with the entire board, administration, staff and community members for the betterment of all students and to advance our district for years to come.

Hillary McClain

Age: 39

Occupation: Clinical faculty, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine

Q: Biggest issue?

A: Of all the issues, I feel the most important, currently, is the lack of communication between the educators, administration and community members. Due to unforeseen circumstances and the shift of the learning style, many districts, including ours, have increased expectations of teachers without additional help, time or resources. We need to make a better effort to find substitutes and pay them appropriately to keep the good substitutes in our district. We also need to take a closer look at the caseloads of the learning support teachers and instructional aides.With better communication and understanding, we can find a way to increase support for children and our teachers while remaining fiscally responsible.

Q: Why should voters choose you?

A: I want to do this to be a voice for every parent and every student in the district. It is my goal to bring my experience as a teacher, a parent and a community member to the table and help refocus the discussion back to our children and their needs, which is the entire point of a public school. I have four children who attend the district with varying levels of need. I know firsthand what the district had done well, and what could be enhanced to be more effective. All taxpayers should have a say. Lately, many of the board members seem to be community members who do not have children in the district any longer and may not be as informed of what daily educational life looks like and the trials and tribulations that parents encounter. I have a background in teaching that gives me more insight into the everyday issues classroom teachers encounter in this new, technologically focused world. I have firsthand experience with the changes and challenges covid has brought to education and how it has drastically impacted the ability of teachers to meet the needs of their students. Adding me to the board will help to create a well-rounded group that has insight into all aspects of education.

Traci Eshelman Ramey

Age: 52

Occupation: Executive director of EdTech by Design

Q: Biggest issue?

A: Student safety and fiscal responsibility are my greatest concerns, particularly covid-19’s impact on students’ emotional well-being. This has manifested in the form of bullying and other emotional issues students are experiencing right now, and most people are not aware of the toll it is taking on our children. I want to work with the PTOs, parents and community to ensure they have the resources needed to combat this current problem. I also want to find creative ways to fiscally sustain excellence in learning. We can leverage our technology and exceptional teacher resources to attract students from outside the district, which will bring in tuition money for online learning programs.

Q: Why should voters choose you?

A: This year, FR is blessed to have so many passionate, dedicated and accomplished candidates. It would be an honor and a privilege to serve with any of the people you can vote for. Your vote will not be wasted, no matter who you choose. Voting for me would be a vote for balancing excellence in education with fiscal responsibility. You would also be voting for someone who wants to collaborate with the community, business and industry to solve our challenges.