3 newcomers, 2 incumbents secure victory for Highlands School Board

The face of Highlands School Board will change after Tuesday’s election in which three newcomers secured victories.

The board race was hotly contested, drawing eight candidates for five positions.

Republican newcomer Justin Kipp, 49, and Republican incumbent Gene Witt, 59, appear to have edged out opponents to represent Region 1.

According to unofficial results by the Allegheny County Elections Division, Kipp earned the most votes with 603, followed by Witt’s 577. Democrats Jenny Bosak and Christa Jones earned 541 and 412, respectively.

Region 1 includes Fawn and parts of Tarentum.

Kipp said he’ll target bullying and safety concerns, along with processes to improve test scores, in his new role.

“I am very blessed and honored for the trust the community has placed in me,” Kipp said. “I am looking forward to working with the rest of the board members to continue to make this district move in the right direction.”

Witt, earning his second term, said he’s focused on staying the course.

“We’ve got a good plan in place, we just need to execute it and tweak it as necessary but the foundation is there,” he said. “I look forward to us reaping the benefits of the hard work that the administration, board and staff have put in over the past four years.”

In Region 2, Democrat Autumn Monaghan, 44, narrowly defeated conservative Republican Shane Chesher, 36, by a vote of 579 to 546.

Region 2 includes Brackenridge and parts of Harrison.

A lifelong district resident, Monaghan said there is a lot of work to be done.

“I’m grateful for the support of this community I was born and raised in,” she said. “I am ready to start working for and supporting the people in this school district.”

The race in Region 3 was decided in the spring when Democrats Eli Majocha, 18, and Kristie Babinsack, 50, won the top two nominations on both tickets.