Four ASD board seats, one contested, open this election

Only one of the four board seats up for election on the Armstrong School Board is being contested this election.

The district's lone race is in Region IX, where incumbent Kathryn Delaney is being challenged by Manor Township resident Lawrence Bartosh. District IX is comprised of Manorville and Manor Township.

Delaney said she will continue to support the programs she has backed in her first two four-year terms as a school director.

'I will continue to support a strong curriculum, efforts to provide equal learning opportunities for students across the district, enhanced technology in all schools, and more state funding for special education,' Delaney said.

In addition, she added, she will continue to be conscientious of the taxpayer.

'I continue to support efforts to renovate and improve school buildings when needed, and when the cost can be justified and affordable to the taxpayers,' she said.

Her opponent in the May primary, Bartosh, said he feels that more things need to be done at the school board level to enhance education.

'We have to push our kids harder to learn more,' he said. 'I want to enhance our kids' education.'

To achieve that, Bartosh explained, he would like to have the district implement job interview courses and focus students on Scholastic Aptitude Test preparation.

'It's just something that could be done easily,' he said. 'I just don't think we do enough to help our kids get better jobs.'

'I think I've got a good idea of what it takes for our kids to go out there (in the world) and compete,' Bartosh added.

Both candidates are cross-filed for the election.

In District IV, which includes North Buffalo Township, West Franklin Township and Worthington, longtime director Dr. D. Wesley Minteer has decided not to run, paving the way for newcomer Joseph Close, who is running unopposed in the primary.

Close said he became interested in the position of school board director as his children have started to get to the age where they will be attending school.

He explained that he wants to raise his children in an area with a

top-notch education system and a growing economy. Making the schools better would help the economy in the area by drawing businesses here, Close said.

'I think that's what it takes and that's what you have to have,' he said. 'I do think, as a whole, there's a lot of room for improvement (in our education system).'

'I don't think that (the taxpayers) are getting their bang for their buck,' Close said.

The other seats up for election are those of directors Terry A. Rupp (Region I) and D. Royce Smeltzer (Region V). Both have cross-filed and are running unopposed.