3 incumbents, 1 newcomer win seats on Hempfield Area School Board

Three incumbents who clinched another term on the Hempfield Area School Board will be joined by one newcomer, according to unofficial election results.

First-time Republican candidate Jerry Radebaugh led the votes by 22.6%. He was followed by incumbents Scott Learn, 21%; Paul Ward, 20.9%; and Diane Ciabattoni, 20.9%, all of whom were cross-filed with both major political parties. Democrat Dana Smith received 13.6% of the vote.

Radebaugh, 43, director of purchasing for Westmoreland County, ran on a platform focused on school infrastructure. He also hopes to hold the line on property taxes and keep students going to class in-person as much as possible during the pandemic.

Ciabattoni, 74, who is the assistant to the library director at the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, has served on the board for 28 years. Learn, 53, a general dentist in Latrobe, has served four-and-a-half years on the board, while Ward, 55, an attorney for Kennametal, is in his sixth year on the board.

All three stressed improving the district as a priority, with Learn and Ward also saying they want to focus on a year-long feasibility study that will determine if the high school could be renovated or rebuilt. The study also will help determine future projects at other district buildings, including Harrold Middle School.