5 union-endorsed candidates win election to Mt. Pleasant School Board

When the Mt. Pleasant Area School Board meets on Dec. 5, a new majority may offer a different perspective on long-stalled teacher contract talks.

That’s when five new board members, all of whom were endorsed by the Mt. Pleasant Education Association, will be sworn in during a reorganization meeting.

Incoming board members who swept to office in Tuesday’s election include: retired school administrator Michael Picarsic; local pharmacist and businessman Edward L. Christofano; Ryan Bann, an assistant manager for Walmart; Julie Alesantrino, a teacher in the Connellsville School District, and John “Jay” Weinman, a teacher at the Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technical Center.

They were among six candidates nominated to run for five openings on the school board. The union-endorsed slate beat three incumbent board members in the primary to dominate the fall ballot.

Members of the union, which represents 143 teachers, counselors, nurses and school psychologists, have been working without a contract since Aug. 2018.

Contract talks in the district that enrolls about 2,000 students stalled in late 2018 after the district rejected a 56-page independent fact finders report that sided largely with the union.

Board President John Sarnese, a member of the district negotiating committee, said taxpayers in the largely rural district cannot afford to underwrite the package of benefits, compensation and classroom assignments the union is seeking.

Terri Remaley, president of the Mt. Pleasant Education Association, said she hopes the union will be able to reach a settlement when the new board is seated.

“I think there are people who are coming on with a fresh perspective and a commitment to education. It will be nice to have people coming on with different viewpoints,” she said.

Earlier this fall, as contract negotiations dragged on, two board members — outgoing incumbent George Hare, who lost a primary bid for another term, and Kimberly Grindle, who was moving out of the district with two years remaining on her term — resigned.

Grindle’s unanticipated departure leaves one seat yet to be filled on the nine-member board.

Sarnese, who watched his position in the majority dwindle, predicted the reorganization will bring a new flavor to contract talks.

“The new majority will probably give the teachers exactly what the teachers want,” Sarnese said.