According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, two nominees are seeking one available position on the Pine Richland School Board in Region 3. Both nominees are cross-filed as a Democrat and Republican.

Region 3 comprises Richland districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Voters cast their ballots at Richland municipal building along Dickey Road, St. Thomas Church in the Fields at 4106 St. Thomas Road, Pine-Richland Youth Center along Community Center Drive and Northern Tier Regional Library along Dickey Road.

The nominees for Region 3 are:

John Joseph Cassidy

• Why did you decide to run for election?

“It started with our current board’s lack of ability to pivot and plan accordingly with the changing covid-19 recommendations,” Cassidy said. “As I started to get more educated on the various agendas that our current board and administration were pushing, I realized they were not doing what was best for the whole student.

“Keeping kids physically safe is just one part of the whole student. What was being done for the kids’ mental well-being? What was being done about education and the overall drop in students’ GPA? What was being done to address students’ social needs?

“The answer to those questions was not much, if anything, nor was the school board listening to the wants and needs of families within the district. As a father of five kids from ninth grade to kindergarten, I want to know that my school board will put the kids’ needs first.”

• What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed?

“I am one of four running under the platform of PR Kids First,” Cassidy said. “We are not hiding what we feel is the biggest issue at Pine-Richland. Don’t get me wrong, there are other issues but putting the needs of our kids first is paramount.

“Our current board and administration has lost sight of that along the way as they pursued and pushed their own narratives and agendas.

“I wish times were simpler but they aren’t. The school board and the administration do not need to complicate things even further for students and their families.”

• What should voters know about you?

“Everyone has a predisposed opinion or thought process based on what has historically happened in their own lives,” Cassidy said.

“A board director must separate that when making decisions for the community.

“Decisions must be based on what is best for all students and families. I have sat on several boards, and I have always placed a high importance of not making decisions based on me but rather making decisions that will positively affect the people who I represent.”

Katarzyna Swope

• Why did you decide to run for election?

“I’m a school director by appointment and seeking reelection because I’m proud of what Pine-Richland stands for and what we have accomplished,” Swope said. “Strengthening positive school culture and providing a safe environment is critical for our students and community.

“We’ve developed the RAMS Way program to engage students as thoughtful citizens, added enhanced security at all school buildings and hired a school resource officer. I’m proud to team up with fellow PR4ALL.org candidates.”

• What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed?

“PR4ALL supports the current five-day a week return-to-school plan, keeping all of our children and staff safe,” Swope said. “I am driven by the process of excellence and continuous improvement, and I believe that together, and with respect for all, we can provide the best education opportunities.”

• What should voters know about you?

“I hold a B.S. in management & marketing, M.S. in international economics and post-graduate certificate in project management from Penn State,” Swope said. “I have been actively involved in community service as an independent PRSD volunteer since 2017, a Girl Scouts volunteer and a former board director at Western PA Montessori School.”

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