Board hopefuls vying for seats in all 3 regions of Shaler Area School District

Shaler Area School District residents will see contested races across all three of the district’s regions in the May 20 primary. Region 1 In Shaler’s Region 1, four candidates are vying for two seats with four-year terms. Three of the candidates are cross-filed, while one will be on the Democratic ballot.

Candidate Bernard Martin O’Brien Jr., who is cross-filed, did not respond. Region 1 incumbents James Burn Jr.



and April Kwiatkowski will not be on the ballot. Daeja Baker Age : 34 Political affiliation : Democrat, cross-filed Education : bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts, Chatham University; in process of getting master’s degree in social work from University of Pittsburgh Occupation : Political consultant Residence : Millvale Elected experience : None Why I’m running : There are over 25% students of color in the Shaler Area School District and no school board directors of color, teachers or administrators. I aim to represent our most vulnerable students: students of color, students suffering from mental illness and queer students, as I have lived experience identifying as all three.

I also believe that we can work with all levels of government to bring back dollars to our school district so that we can minimize tax increases and keep our facilities up to date. I believe that if we do this, we can also place support staff in every classroom in the school district and raise teachers’ wages to make sure that our teachers have everything they need to teach with limited stress and prepare our students for the world, while also ensuring that students have everything they need to be successful academically. Amy Goldberg Age : 55 Political affiliation : Democrat Education : Some college Occupation : Manager Residence : Reserve Township Elected experience : None Why I’m running : The education of our nation’s future leaders must never be driven by any personal or political agenda held by board members.

This must change. To the contrary, as board bembers we have an obligation to provide the resources necessary to ensure a quality education without injecting our own personal agendas and/or beliefs into the equation. Additionally, recent events and interactions with the Shaler Area School Board cause me to question the adequacies of the dynamic between the elected board members and the administrative staff.

Board members must be more proactive no matter how much communication they may be receiving from staff. Child safety is a serious concern in this district. Just this past semester, a student came to school in possession of a gun.

Please know, I will not vote on any proposed school budget unless I am confident that necessary improvements are made to protect our district’s children. Ken Vybiral Age : 74 Political affiliation : Republican, cross-filed Education : Master’s degree in leadership and business ethics from Duquesne University Occupation : Retired military, 36 years of service; current part-time school crossing guard for Shaler Area School District/Reserve Township Residence : Reserve Elected experience : Previously appointed Reserve commissioner at-large, currently serving on the Reserve Zoning Board Why I’m running : I was approached by several Reserve Township parents, who have concern for the Reserve Primary School as to its future in the school district, and the added value the school brings for new homeowners moving into the township. A representative was needed on the school board from Reserve Township.

Listening to concerns from several residents about school taxes/educational opportunities for the students, as well as safety and welfare, are areas I will address at the school board meetings. My goals are to ensure fiscal responsibility and that each student in the Shaler Area School District receives the highest quality of education in a safe environment, together with parental rights, to provide them the necessary “tools” following graduation. “Tools,” for example, would be communication skills, check writing, etc.

My priority would be focused on the students and their welfare. Region 2 In Shaler’s Region 2, two candidates are vying for one seat with a four-year term and they are both cross-filed. Candidate Ralph P.

Koch did not respond. Elizabeth Dunn Age : 48 Political affiliation : Democrat, cross-filed Education : CCAC, University of Pittsburgh Occupation : Sustainable Tech Operations Residence : Shaler Elected experience : Incumbent board member, elected in 2021 Why I’m running : I am honored to have served the Shaler Area School District over the past four years, and I am seeking reelection to continue advocating for our students, families and community. As our Pennsylvania School Boards Association legislative liaison, I’ve built strong partnerships with legislators at every level of government — relationships that are essential as we work to fix Pennsylvania’s broken school funding system.

My experience has given me a deep understanding of our district’s financial landscape, from local taxes to state and federal funding. This knowledge allows me to make informed decisions that support educational excellence while protecting taxpayers. I remain committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility and putting students first.

With your support, I will continue to use my experience to fight for the resources our schools need and ensure every student, staff member and resident of Shaler Area is represented with integrity and dedication. Region 3 In Shaler’s Region 3, three candidates are vying for one four-year seat, with two cross-filed and one on the Democratic ballot. For a two-year seat, incumbent Edward J.

Kress is cross-filed and uncontested for nomination. Robert S. Cessar Age : 64 Political affiliation : Republican, cross-filed Education : bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College; juris doctor from Notre Dame Law School Occupation : Retired after 34 years with the U.

S. Department of Justice, currently an adjunct professor at La Roche University Residence : Shaler Elected experience : None Why I’m running : The current school board is fractured, with the majority debating the color of graduation robes rather than the issues of building utilization, stagnant test scores, budget constraints and student safety. I am a lifelong resident of Shaler Area and actively involved in numerous school and community groups.

That experience, coupled with my skills as a federal prosecutor, will enable me to bring unity to the board to get things done. Good schools are the backbone of our community and are vital in attracting new families to the district, which will increase the tax base. My first step will be a comprehensive review of the budget and future plans to minimize any tax increases and to ferret out fraud and waste.

I will create programs to match students with future employers or mentors, teach financial literacy, protect children while in school, increase test scores, and educate about drug and alcohol abuse. Jill Crivelli Age : 48 Political affiliation : Democrat Education : Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, K-8 (Penn State University), Reading Specialist Graduate Certificate, Instruction and Learning, K-12 (University of Pittsburgh); certificate in Product Strategy (Northwestern University) Occupation : Manager of customer solutions at Turnitin Residence : Shaler Elected experience : None Why I’m running : I’ve been in education my entire career, first as a seventh grade language arts teacher for 15 years in the Chartiers Valley School District. There, I served on the instructional cabinet, working with the school board, parents and superintendents to guide district policies and lead faculty initiatives.

I was recruited to join an educational technology company about 10 years ago and since then I’ve been working with schools and institutions all over the world. No matter where I’ve worked, my guiding principles have always been to do what’s best for students and to find the common ground. I believe the voices of our community deserve to be heard alongside the research-based best practices on each issue.

As a school board director, I will defend the best interests of students, staff and taxpayers and work to maintain fiscal responsibility while driving our district toward educational excellence. Todd Saulle Age : 39 Political affiliation : Democrat, cross-filed Education : Bachelor’s degree in English literature and history from the University of Pittsburgh; master’s degree in teaching from Pitt School of Education Occupation : Software product manager at Michelin, formerly a teacher and business owner Residence : Shaler Elected experience : Allegheny County Democratic Committee; appointed member of Shaler Area School Board Why I’m running : As a parent of a Shaler Area student, the child of two public school teachers and a former educator myself, I bring personal and professional insights to the board. I will always champion policies that help teachers and students thrive.

I’m also deeply committed to ensuring all students regardless of ability receive the resources they need, including fully implemented IEPs and 504 plans. Shaler Area’s special education staff do incredible work and deserve strong backing, especially as federal support becomes uncertain. Finally, I support the district’s plan to upgrade aging facilities.

As the chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, I will advocate for smart, strategic investments that are in the best interests of students, teachers and the entire community. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve on the board. I respectfully ask for your vote.

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