7 candidates run for 5 open seats on South Butler School District school board
South Butler School District voters have seven candidates from which to choose in this month's primary election.
Those seven candidates are running for just five seats on the school board.
All seven candidates cross-filed for both Democratic and Republican tickets.
Donna Eakin, board president, and Debra Miller are running for re-election.
The other five candidates are newcomers. Those are Andrew Adams, Dale Fennell, Timothy Danehy, David McRandal and William Gebhart.
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 four-year terms.
Residence: Penn TownshipEducation: Attended Edinboro University and West Virginia WesleyanOccupation: Safety coordinator at AK SteelFamily: Wife Elizabeth, one son and one daughterTop issue: Fennell does not want to isolate any particular issue. He plans to “sit back, listen and educate myself” on the board. Speaking before doing so causes disruption and confusion in the community, he said. After learning and listening, he said he'll look for equitable and obtainable solutions.
Residence: Clinton TownshipEducation: Bachelor of Science in business management from Penn State UniversityOccupation: Self-employed landscaperFamily: Wife Margaret and four childrenTop issue: Top priority is school safety. He supports such programs as Rachel's Challenge and Best Buddies. He would like to continue to focus on programs that would develop student career goals and design clear pathways to reach those goals.
Residence: Clinton TownshipEducation: Bachelor of Science from Slippery Rock University in environmental scienceOccupation: Owner of small environmental services companyFamily: Wife Annette and two childrenTop issue: Tim wants to inspire the community to develop a positive, cooperative environment for students to thrive. To do so, he wants to align school board goals with the school district's mission. He says the district has for years cut programs, positions and learning opportunities, despite multimillion-dollar budget surpluses. Says the district has put off maintenance and installation of metal detectors in the name of fiscal responsibility. Says the board has been irresponsible in school maintenance and needs instead to be guided by student needs.
Residence: Penn TownshipEducation: Greenville Area High School, West Virginia University and Temple University School of MedicineOccupation: Primary care physician at Allegheny Valley North in SaxonburgFamily: Wife Sherry, two daughters and one sonTop issue: Adams' big focus is maintaining and growing educational opportunities, despite declining enrollment. The district needs to develop excellence in academics and athletics to attract young families. The schools need to combine fiscal restraint to keep taxes low with wise investments, such as developing magnet programs. Adams says the school district needs to target young families who are moving around within the region and using school quality as a major deciding factor on where to live.
Residence: Jefferson TownshipEducation: Fox Chapel High School/AW Beattie Technical School (HVAC) and a four-year plumbing apprentice program at Connelly Trade SchoolOccupation: Owns McRandal Plumbing and HeatingFamily: Wife Kathy and daughterIssue: McRandal's priorities are safety, education and stewardship. Major renovations and improvements are coming soon. Directors need to stay prudent with tax dollars. He says his 34 years of work expertise in construction, plumbing, heating and air conditioning will help ensure renovations are in the best interest of the district and taxpayers.
Residence: Jefferson TownshipEducation: Duncan High School and Cuyahoga Community CollegeOccupation: EnvironmentalFamily: Husband Wayne and five childrenTop issue: Eakin said the district's greatest challenge is providing excellent academic and extracurricular programming in a safe and updated educational environment. It's very important to provide strong educational opportunities in balance with a fiscal responsibility to the district's taxpayers.
Residence: Penn TownshipEducation: Bachelor of Science from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in environmental biologyOccupation: Homemaker, formerly lead customer service representative for hazardous waste facilities in Utah and OklahomaFamily: Husband Daniel, a daughter, son and daughter-in-lawTop issue: Miller said the district is the most stable it has been in years in terms of enrollment, administration and bargaining unit contracts. Improving education, safety and facilities are all important for a diverse student body, she said. A district with minimal growth needs to be fiscally responsible.
