10 candidates on the ballot for 5 Pine-Richland School Board seats
Voters in the Pine-Richland School District will be asked select five of the 10 school board candidates from three regions on Nov. 7.
According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, in Region 1, incumbents Greg DiTullio and Mark Casciani are the Republican candidates running against Democrats Ashley Fortier and Gary Yang.
In Region 2, both Republican Leslie Miller and Democrat Russell Patterson are seeking their first school board term.
In Region 3, incumbent Matthew M. Mehalik and Jennifer Beuse are the Democratic candidates running against Republican candidates Phillip Morrisette and Mike Wiethom.
Candidates were asked to provide written responses to questions posed by the Tribune-Review.
Region 1 — Vote for 2
Marc D. Casciani
Age: 55
Political party: Republican
Education: Bachelor of science and a master of science in mechanical engineering from Penn State University and a master of business administration from The University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business
Previous public office: Appointed to the Pine-Richland board on Sept. 20, 2012, to fill a vacant seat. Elected November 2013, re-elected in 2015 and 2019. Named treasurer in 2018 and reappointed each year since.
How involved should parents be when it comes to their child’s education in the district, and what specifically would that look like? Parents and the district are partners in education. There needs to be alignment in values and objectives. Children should receive a classical K-12 education that emphasizes virtuous living, traditional learning and civic responsibility. Parents deserve transparency and representation against the progressive orthodoxy sweeping our public school culture.
How important is inclusion and diversity when it comes to education? In this parent-district partnership, it’s our job to help each child realize how rare and valuable they really are. That there is something inside them that no one else has, or ever will have, something unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage them to discover that uniqueness and provide ways of developing its expression. Every student deserves to reach their fullest potential and achieve excellence in every area at Pine-Richland: academic, athletic and extra-curricular.
Greg DiTullio
Republican Greg DiTullio did not respond to requests for comment for this article.
Ashley Fortier
Age: 40
Political party: Democratic
Education: Bachelor of science in psychology
Previous public office: None
How involved should parents be when it comes to their child’s education in the district, and what specifically would that look like? I think parents should make the determination of how involved they are in their child’s education. Parents are experts of their child and know them best. Parent involvement should focus on the needs of their child and not impact the experience or rights of other children. The district should welcome the collaboration between home and school by encouraging open communications with all parties involved in the student’s educational journey.
How important is inclusion and diversity when it comes to education? Diversity and inclusion are fundamental principles of public schools. Public schools are open to all in the community. Therefore, they must serve all students and consider the diverse needs across the student body. Inclusive practices are essential to welcoming all students and giving them both a safe place to learn and the opportunity to be their truest, best selves.
Gary Yang
Age: 46
Political party: Independent
Education: Doctor of philosophy in computer science
Previous public office: None
How involved should parents be when it comes to their child’s education in the district, and what specifically would that look like? Parents should be involved and work with the district to set the direction and the scope of education. The district regularly provides opportunities for parent/community input and collaboration with curriculum, supplemental resources, reading materials and policies. I encourage all concerned parents to take advantage of such opportunities — both to learn and to provide feedback — but we also need to allow teachers to do their jobs as trained educators.
How important is inclusion and diversity when it comes to education? Inclusion and diversity are an important pillar in education. We live in an era where access to the world is as simple as talking to a next-door neighbor. Inclusion and diversity are eyes and ears that help us see brilliance, leadership, and innovations from people with different colors of skin, races, or nationalities.
Region 2— Vote for 1
Leslie Miller
Age: 50
Political party: Republican
Education: Bachelor of science in music education, bachelor of arts in Spanish education with work towards master’s
Previous public office: None
How involved should parents be when it comes to their child’s education in the district, and what specifically would that look like? I believe that parents have an integral role to play and a responsibility to support their child and the school has a responsibility to partner with parents to provide the best education for the student. Schools should be transparent with families on what is occurring in the classroom from day to day. Weekly emails from teachers, guidance counselors and administration to parents are helpful in engaging with what is occurring each day. The best outcomes happen when teachers and parent partner together and support one another.
How important is inclusion and diversity when it comes to education? It is important to honor and recognize everyone and the role that they have to play in the classroom and community. Each student has unique gifts and abilities and it is the role of the educator to help bolster their abilities.
Russell Patterson
Age: 44
Political party: Democrat
Education: Bachelor of arts; master of arts in teaching; doctor of philosophy in reading education; superintendent’s letter of eligibility
Previous public office: None
How involved should parents be when it comes to their child’s education in the district, and what specifically would that look like? As an educator of over 20 years, I believe in the old proverb that states that it takes a village to raise a child. Parents and educators are a critical part of that village. Parents are the experts of their children. Educators are the experts of their content, curriculum and pedagogy. When parents and educators work respectfully and collaboratively, the sky is the limit for that child.
How important is inclusion and diversity when it comes to education? Inclusion and diversity are the cornerstones of public education. It is the role of educators to ensure that all students feel loved, valued and respected. It is also the role of educators to utilize curriculum materials that include an array of perspectives so that our children are college and career ready. Ensuring that all children are included is a non-negotiable in public education.
Region 3— Vote for 2
Jennifer Beuse
Age: 48
Political party: Democrat
Education: Masters in secondary science education from Virginia Tech; bachelor of science in biochemistry from Marquette University
Previous public office: No interest in politics, but I am a former educator and taught middle school and high school sciences in Virginia.
How involved should parents be when it comes to their child’s education in the district, and what specifically would that look like? Parental involvement in schools should be encouraged and welcomed. Teachers, administrators and counselors should be accessible and responsive to family needs. In my years at Pine-Richland, I have had open communication with all teachers of my four kids K-12, who’ve responded to concerns and questions promptly and effectively. I appreciate the access to curriculum and resources at PRSD and value that families are permitted to exempt anything deemed inappropriate for their child.
How important is inclusion and diversity when it comes to education? Inclusion and valuing all children that enter public schools is fundamental to education. Kids learn best and can thrive when they feel safe and valued. Celebrating and embracing all children, regardless of abilities, gender, faith, race, home country, or who they love encourages our kids to be authentic and succeed at PRSD and beyond, and also serves our community well with access to rich cultures, talent and perspectives.
Matthew M. Mehalik
Age: 53
Political party: Democrat
Education: Did not answer
Previous public office: Pine-Richland School District director in Region 3 since 2018
How involved should parents be when it comes to their child’s education in the district and what specifically would that look like? I want our children to thrive throughout their years at PRSD and afterwards. I believe, based on my own child’s experiences and during my school director service, that success happens when parents, teachers and the district work together to meet each child’s needs in partnerships. Parental communication, teacher and staff professional training, district support, standards of learning, and a commitment to well-being combine so our children are healthy, engaged and in pursuit of excellence.
How important is inclusion and diversity when it comes to education? Core values of inclusiveness, diversity, hope and dignity are critical — so that all our district’s children and families feel welcomed and that our district’s teachers and staff feel supported. These are the foundations of excellence in learning and lifelong thriving. Let’s embrace differences so respectful dialog can occur, not divisiveness. We can rally together to support our children and families so all can be included in the pursuit of excellence in education and community.
Philip R. Morrissette
Age: 65
Political party: Republican
Education: Bachelor of science in computer science from SUNY Potsdam
Previous public office: None
How involved should parents be when it comes to their child’s education in the district, and what specifically would that look like? Parents have the responsibility and accountability of their children. They send their children to Pine-Richland because this school district has a reputation for providing exceptional education. I want to ensure that this high quality education continues and is not sidetracked with non-educational concerns. Most importantly, parents’ voices need to be heard. They need to be very aware and engaged in how their child’s life is affected when they walk in the door of their school. As a board member, I will fight for parents’ role in education to be honored and protected.
How important is inclusion and diversity when it comes to education? I believe we need to keep the Pine-Richland school system focused on continued quality education and development of all students to be ready for their world when they graduate, whether they advance to college or focus their desires on highly skilled opportunities.
Mike Wiethorn
Age: 59
Political party: Republican
Education: University of Pittsburgh, Bachelor of arts in economics and communications from the University of Pittsburgh; Juris Doctor from Duquesne University
Previous public office: None
How involved should parents be when it comes to their child’s education in the district and what specifically would that look like? A student’s success depends on both the school as well as parents working cooperatively together for each child to reach their greatest potential. School districts are required by federal and state regulations to be transparent with parents about their child’s education in curriculum, health and well-being. PR Kids First Candidates are running to ensure that parents remain informed, involved and in control of their children’s education.
How important is inclusion and diversity when it comes to education? Pine Richland’s focus is on Learning for Every Student Every Day. We support this focus to bring out the very best in each and every individual student.
Zach Petroff is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Zach at zpetroff@triblive.com.
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