Rob Achtzehn joins Baldwin-Whitehall school board

Rob Achtzehn of Whitehall is the newest member of the Baldwin-Whitehall School Board, replacing Tracey Macek who resigned in April.

Achtzehn, 49, was selected from a field of five applicants.

“Rob Achtzehn has been part of the district for 20 years,” said David Solenday, board president. “He's been active as a youth coach and volunteer. Anyone who has worked with him knows he'll be an excellent addition to the board. We are all excited to have him on board.”

Achtzehn, a supply chain consultant for CHAINalytics which serves Fortune 500 companies, and his wife, Lisa, have lived in the district for 20 years. Daughter, Adia, graduated last year and is majoring in education at Slippery Rock University, while son, Eli, is in the 10th grade.

“My wife and I have been very happy in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District for the past 20 years and it has provided me an opportunity to give back to the school and the community that has given us so much,” said Achtzehn, whose school activities include the Baldwin Music Patrons.

Like a number of school districts in Western Pennsylvania, revenue, is one of the biggest issues facing the district, he said.

“One of the biggest challenges facing the district is maintaining the high value of education while considering difficult cost pressures,” he said. “Unfortunately, this challenge does not come with an easy button. However, it can be solved with clear communication about the difficult choices and through giving the community a voice in the process.”

“As long as we as a community stay focused on the best overall outcomes, we can work through this and any other challenge,” he said.

Suzanne Elliottt is a Tribune-Review staff writer.