Kiski Area board hopefuls emphasize experience

Two incumbents and a political newcomer are touting their experience as they seek two available Region II seats on Kiski Area School Board.

Incumbents Ann Marie Nagy of Bell Township and Tammy Smail of Washington Township believe their familiarity with the board will come in handy given that Superintendent Timothy Scott just joined the district this summer and two newcomers will replace directors Keith Blayden and Jim Summerville, who aren't seeking re-election.

But Michelle Schmidt of Washington Township said she's gained plenty of experience working with the district's parent-teacher association while raising her fifth-grader.

“I have a lot of in-school knowledge of what's going on in the buildings and how they operate,” she said. “I only have one child. He's pretty much my heart and soul, so I got really heavily involved in the schools. I'm a Kiski graduate. Kiski is in my blood.”

Schmidt, 42, who has worked in the banking and finance industry, said careful implementation of the more rigorous Common Core standards is a priority for her.

“I think a lot of aspects of Common Core are good, but I want to make sure our teachers still have the opportunity to teach with creativity and in their own style,” she said. “I'm hoping we can keep that balance.”

Schmidt wants to make sure a Kiski Area education is about more than just core subjects.

“I'd like to see the kids have as many new opportunities as they can. Their educational experience is threefold — education, athletics and arts. I really want to see all that happen for all the kids in this district.”

Nagy, 48, has worked in office administration and marketing. She is involved with organizations through or in addition to her school board role, including the Westmoreland Economic Development Initiative for Growth (WEDIG) and Blackleggs Creek Watershed Association that provide STEM learning opportunities for Kiski students as well as the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit and Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

While her two sons moved through the schools, her family has been involved in parent-teacher, booster and advisory groups.

“I believe we're at a pinnacle now, and we're being looked at for the things we're accomplishing,” Nagy said, referencing STEM learning, creative teaching and what she sees as Scott's progressive views. “We are really good. I feel driven to continue on with that.”

Nagy said her goals will include pushing for pension reform to ease the financial burden on school districts; supporting a collaborative curriculum; finding ways in a tight budget to fund extracurricular and athletic programs; and promoting safe schools by building on the recent additions of a school resource officer, more secure building entrances and a system that checks visitors' criminal backgrounds.

“There are a lot of initiatives out there that are in progress, and I certainly want to go ahead and be part of that,” Nagy said.

Smail, 56, who was involved in parent-teacher and booster groups with her three children, said her professional background as an attorney and compliance officer in the financial industry are a benefit to the district.

“In terms of what I think I bring to the board, my legal and analytical skills have served me very well,” she said, noting she sits on the financial, personnel and student activities committees. “Those are skill sets I bring to the table.”

Smail said there are several in-progress issues that she'd like to continue to shepherd, including negotiating a new teachers contract, working with the new superintendent, adjusting the curriculum in light of new testing requirements, pension reform and technology and infrastructure improvements.

“We've made a lot of good progress in very difficult economic times,” she said. “I'm invested in it, and I want to continue to see that through.”

Only Kiski Area's Region II, which includes parts of Washington Township, Avonmore, Oklahoma and Bell Township, has a contested race.

In Region I, Cassi Heinle is running unopposed for the seat vacated by Blayden.

In Region III, incumbent Julie Sheaffer Hansen is seeking re-election and newcomer Ronald V. Coleman Jr. is running for Summerville's seat.

Liz Hayes is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-4680 or lhayes@tribweb.com.