Candidates vying in primary for school board nominations in Schuylkill County
May 11—Dozens of candidates are running in Tuesday's primary election for nominations for seats on school boards in Schuylkill County. In these races, candidates can cross-file to appear on both the Democratic and Republican ballots.
Blue Mountain
In Blue Mountain, only three of the five school board members whose terms expire at the end of the year are seeking reelection.
David W. Lafko, treasurer, and member Scott W. Reichert are not seeking reelection.
Incumbents Michelle Vesay, president; Timothy G. Grube, vice president; and member Krista Strause are seeking reelection. All three have cross-filed on the Democratic and Republican ballots.
Newcomers Becky Wehr Miller and Joshua L. Whaley have also cross-filed.
In addition, Michael Zvalaren is running for the Democratic Party nomination, while John T. Campomizzi Sr. is seeking nomination on the Republican ballot.
Mahanoy Area
Five candidates — all incumbents — are running for five positions on the board.
They are Michael Mistishen, vice president; Susan C. Scheeler, secretary; and members Gary R. Gnall, Daniel Lynch and Santino Napoli. All candidates are cross-filed.
Minersville Area
Candidates who cross-filed for five available seats are incumbents Keith Adams, president; Albert D. Marazas, treasurer; and Kevin Wigoda, secretary; as well as newcomers, Michael J. Andruchek, James T. Croley II, W. Alexander Kurtek and James O'Brian Jr.
North Schuylkill
Seven candidates, including four incumbents, have cross-filed for four positions on the school board.
Incumbents Roy C. Green, vice president; MaryAnne Woodward, treasurer; and members Michael C. Kiehl and Randy Lattis are seeking reelection.
Three newcomers — Philip Rapant Jr., Raymond Reichwein and James R. Samelko Jr. — have also cross-filed.
In addition, Brian Keller is seeking the Republican nomination.
Those elected would serve four-year terms.
There is also an opening for a two-year term, which stems from the shortened tenure of former board member Suzanne O'Neill, who resigned in 2022. Lattis currently holds that position.
Five candidates are cross-filed for the two-year seat: incumbents Green, Kiehl and Woodward; and newcomers Rapant and Reichwein. Running on the Republican ticket is Lori Jalonski.
Board President Charles Hepler is the only candidate not seeking reelection.
Pine Grove Area
Incumbents are running for the four open seats on the school board.
All have cross-filled on both the Republican and Democratic ballot for the four-year terms.
They are Donald E. Brown Jr., vice president; and members J.T. Herber III, Genavieve Moyer and Lauren Potter.
Pottsville Area
In Pottsville, four of the five board members whose terms expire this year are seeking reelection.
Incumbents Michael Cardamone, president; Linda Wytovich, treasurer; and members Ashley DeWitt and Craig Shields have cross-filed on the Democratic and Republican ballots.
Ann Blankenhorn, vice president, is not seeking reelection.
Newcomers Kerry Ansbach, Jamie Gunoskey and Rachel Schuettler Hobbs have also cross-filed.
Saint Clair Area
Four incumbents are running for the five seats on the board. A previous board member is also seeking election.
All who are running have cross-filled for the four-year terms.
Seeking to return to the board are Scott Clews, Jennifer Fegley, Erin Troutman Murhon and Erin E. Portland.
Gerald G. Kuperavage, a former school board member, is also seeking a seat.
Schuylkill Haven Area
Five candidates are running for five positions on the board.
All are incumbents and have cross-filed, meaning their names will appear on both the Democratic and Republican ballots.
They are Scott R. Jacoby, president; Eric R. Felty, secretary; and members Dion Fessler, Crystal Dewald McGarry and Melissa Strauch.
Board members serve four-year terms.
Shenandoah Valley
Five candidates, all incumbents, are vying for five open seats on the board.
They are Daniel P. Salvadore, president; Joseph Buchanan, vice president; and members Michael Donchak, Jodi Piekarski Loughlin and Anita Monahan.
Additionally, board Treasurer Leslie Gilroy is running for a two-year seat.
Tamaqua Area
Five open seats are available, with seven people cross-filed.
They are incumbents Thomas Bartasavage Jr., Melanie I.S. Dillman, Daniel E. Schoener, Trina M. Shellhammer and Larry A. Wittig; and newcomers Samuel John Koch and Jessica Tirpak.
Running on the Republican ticket is Bob Caputo.
Tri-Valley
No one is running for four open seats on the board.
Williams Valley
No one in Schuylkill County is running for two open seats on the board.
