FREEPORT School District
Freeport School District voters have six candidates from which to choose in the May 21 primary.
They are running for five seats on the school board.
Five of the six candidates cross-filed as both Republican and Democrat and will appear on both parties' ballots. Greg Selinger filed only as a Republican and will appear only on that ballot.
Michael Huth, Frank Prazenica Jr. and Melanie Bollinger are all running for reelection. Adam Toncini, Selinger and Ron Kobelenske would be joining the board.
The top five vote-getters from each party will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. It is possible that all seven will make it to that ballot, as a candidate needs only to place in the top five in one party's results to make it through.
The winning five will take their seats in December for a four-year term.
Residence: Buffalo TownshipEducation: Community College of Allegheny County with coursework in architectural drafting and designOccupation: Facilities project coordinator for Penn State UniversityFamily: Wife, Rosie, one son and one daughterTop issue: Kobelenske said the biggest challenge is maintaining a high-quality education as communities continue to grow. He wants to be a strong advocate for students with special needs. His daughter is in the district's autistic support program, and Kobelenske said, and he knows the importance of meeting the needs of all students. He believes his 17 years of experience in maintaining and managing construction projects at Penn State would be useful in the district's construction projects.
Did not respond to Eagle questionnaire.
Residence: Buffalo TownshipEducation: Freeport School District and Slippery Rock University graduateOccupation: Accounting manager for Concordia at Rebecca Residence, Allison ParkFamily: Wife, Melissa, one daughter and one sonTop issue: Toncini said the district is fantastic and has excellent academics, but he's concerned with rising taxes. He said a population eventually hits a maximum saturation point on tax payments. Toncini said he knows that one must live within their means because he's an accountant. Says the district needs quality education and programs, along with fiscal responsibility, and that such efforts are owed to residents.
Residence: SarverEducation: Bachelor of Science in physical education and sport-exercise science from Indiana University of PennsylvaniaOccupation: Director of operations at Weleski Transfer Inc.Family: Wife, Lynnea, and eight childrenTop issue: Selinger said managing the district's finances with increasing operating costs and growth is his top issue. The district needs to responsibly spend taxpayer dollars without sacrificing school programs and activities. He has kids in the district, and says he wants to improve the balance between budget and student needs.
Residence: SarverEducation: Doctorate in educational administration from University of PittsburghOccupation: Retired school superintendent and retired Army Reserve colonelFamily: Two daughtersTop issue: Prazenica said the biggest issue is maintaining quality education and programs, while maintaining a sensitivity for the residents who pay the bills and want school directors to avoid tax increases.
Residence: South Buffalo TownshipEducation: Bachelor’s degree from Susquehanna University and some graduate credit hours from Liberty UniversityOccupation: Retired public school business administratorFamily: Wife, Rosalyn, and three adult childrenTop issue: Huth said the biggest concern for most districts, including Freeport, is funding. If funding wasn’t an issue, he said, there would hardly be issues. Resolution can only come from cutting costs or increasing revenues. Freeport is a very good school district, he said, and he would aim to maintain that status. But the bottom line, he said, is funding.
