Cope, Felack on ballot for New Kensington-Arnold School Board seat

The only contested race in the New Kensington-Arnold School Board election this fall will pit an incumbent board member against a state representative’s legislative aide in the district’s Region 3.

Incumbent board member and retired teacher John Cope and Eric Felack, a legislative aide for state Rep. Abby Major, will appear on the ballot for a four-year term.

Felack, 69, of New Kensington also will appear on the ballot unopposed for a two-year term in Region 3.

If elected, Felack said his goals on the board would be “taxes kept at a level where residents do not face losing their property, a strong core education, and the administration and the educators focusing on the students’ core values that when they leave Valley High School, they are prepared for the world.

“Dr. Chris Sefcheck is doing a good job. He’s made some changes in personnel and the direction of the district that have been received very positively. He’s open to new ideas, and the one reason I like him is, ‘We never did it that way before,’ is unacceptable to him.”

Cope, 73, of New Kensington is retired after teaching for 48 years and has been on the school board for four years. If reelected, Cope said, he’d bring to the board “a forward-looking educational basis.”

“What I bring to the board is experienced educational philosophy, student-based, teacher-initiated,” Cope said. “It’s got to be a partnership between community, administration, etc.”

Felack was a photographer at the Valley News Dispatch for more than 35 years, which he said gives him a strong understanding of the community and the issues people face. He also has worked for three state representatives, which gives him experience in how government can help people — and also its limitations.

Felack spoke highly of the district’s business office. He said every dollar the district receives needs to be used efficiently and appropriately.

Living in New Kensington for almost his entire life, Felack said he cares about the city and school district and that he wants a strong educational system for his four grandchildren who will be in the district.

Cope said he would continue to bolster the district’s education, be it in the classroom, social and mental health, and improve graduation and attendance rates. He said he brings a passion for education to the board and that he also has the courage to make hard decisions.

“You’re going to get integrity from me,” Cope said. “You’re going to get my word.”

Elections in the district’s Region 1 and Region 2 are uncontested. Candidates in Region 1 are Robert Pallone and Terry Schrock; Region 2 candidates are Tim Beckes and Rob Fusia.