Donato confirms McKeesport school board run

Former McKeesport Area School District board member David Donato wants to return to the board, but only as a Democrat.“I am running for school board,” Donato confirmed Thursday night.

“I will not be cross-filing.”Donato, the 1999 Republican candidate for mayor of McKeesport, said he was shut out in 2009 by a unity ticket White Oak Republicans and Democrats supported in a bid to get a majority on the school board.

“There was such push-back,” Donato said. “They didn't want to leave any holes in the ticket.”

Donato expected a similar reception in White Oak this year. He needs 100 signatures to get on either ballot.

Of the four on that unity ticket announced in February 2009, only Patricia A. Maksin was elected to the board. Marti Gastel, Mary Jane Keller and Dale T. Cooper also were endorsed and Keller was nominated in the Republican primary.

Donato came in sixth among Democrats and fifth among Republicans.

Oddly enough, Gastel is a McKeesport resident and the unity ticket did not include White Oak code enforcement officer Wayne N. Washowich.

Despite that, Washowich was re-elected in 2009. In the primary he led all Democrats and was third among Republicans.

Donato is the first candidate to confirm his intention for The Daily News, though at least one incumbent, Joe Lopretto, indicated recently that he may be seeking a second term.

In all, there are five seats to be filled on the board, chosen at large by voters in McKeesport, White Oak, Versailles, Dravosburg and South Versailles Township.

Donato also said he is not submitting a letter to McKeesport Democratic Committee chairman James R. Brewster for an opportunity to speak at Sunday's city endorsement meeting.

Brewster, who also represents the 45th District in the state Senate, is accepting letters of intent from those seeking endorsement for city council and the school board at Sunday's 1 p.m. meeting at McKees Cafe.