Seven School Board Candidates Seek Spot on Ballot

Seven Quaker Valley School Board candidates are vying for the nomination to fill five 4-year terms in three regions. Only races in two of the three regions are contested.

Incumbent board members and will have to fend off a challenge from in the race for two 4-year terms in Region 2.

In Region 3, incumbent board members Jack and Mark will vie for the nomination against challenger Marianne in one of two 4-year terms.

Democratic incumbent Gianni is the only candidate running for a seat in Region 1. All of the candidates except Floro have cross-filed, meaning they will appear on both the Democratic and Republican ballots.

Region 3

Norris, currently the school board president, has served on the board since 2004. Norris said he wanted to continue to promote quality education in the district because education is "very important" to him and his family.

Norris said the district has many great points: Quaker Valley amicably passed a new in February; has an extensive program for special education; and has the highest AP records in the state, with a large number of district students taking AP courses.

“If you’re a parent with kids in college, you know AP courses save you money,” he said at a recent  in Sewickley.

Norris also noted the district receives “very little” state or federal funding toward education, with 85 percent coming from local revenue, while many mandates, such as the Act 1 pension contributions, are placed at the feet of district leaders.

“So we have to have an efficient operation,” he said.

Rodgers was in February to fill an unexpired term. If elected, Rodger said, he would strive to enhance the platform of support for students, enabling all students to reach their fullest potential. 

"This includes challenging the students, teachers, administration and the community to 'raise the bar' for an already excellent school district and accomplishing this in a fiscally responsible way," Rodgers said.

 Wagner, who until 2009 had served on the board for 12 years, told the crowd at a recent candidates forum that in seven votes for a tax increase during her tenure she had voted for the increase twice. She said she would take it back [the two votes]  if she could.

“Believe me, I regret the two I voted for. I will never vote for another tax increase,” she said.

Wagner said her top priority would be to keep spending and taxes under control while providing students with a quality education. She said “wants and desires” should take a back seat.

“Tough spending decisions have to be made,” she said.

Region 2

 Pusateri, who was elected in 2007, said he has four children; the youngest is a junior. In 2005, he said, his daughter was valedictorian of her class. His son is autistic, he said, so he sees issues from both ends of the spectrum. His son, thanks to his experience at , is now a junior in college at Mercyhurst.

“It all started right here in Quaker Valley, so I want to continue that,” Pusateri said.

Pusateri also discussed planned renovations and improvements at the . The board has been working to upgrade the middle school, a project that is estimated to cost $32 million.

Pusateri acknowledged there are some people who are against the project.

“Some people don’t want to see the middle school move into the 21st century,” he said.

Riker, a graduate of Yale University, lives across the street from the middle school and has two sons in the district.  He was first elected to the board in 2007 and said he has “a lot of years left in the school system.” He said he believed the district plays a critical role in the community and the board needs someone attentive who puts in the time to better the district.

“I think that describes me,” Riker said.

Floyd, who is the director of the Sewickley Valley Historical Society, said responsible spending is one of his top priorities. He said Quaker Valley provides a very good education and that it must continue, but only in a way in which tax dollars are spent effectively.

Floyd said Quaker Valley School District spends more than $19,000 per student yearly as compared to Mt. Lebanon School District, where he said $15,000, or 22 percent less, is spent than Quaker Valley. School officials, however, noted the district spends $13,000 per student and not the figure as reported by Floyd.

Floyd said he plans to reduce its 2011-12 budget by 1.3 percent.

"Our school board needs a report card, too, on effectiveness in their spending performance," said Floyd, father of two Quaker Valley alumni.

Region 1

Floro is virtually guaranteed a spot on the November ballot because he is running unopposed. Floro did not respond to Patch's request for comment.