Centre County school board slates and PACs have successful showing in primary election

After months of campaign events and primary election lead up, crowded school board election races in several districts will stay that way for November’s general election.

The several slates and PAC groups of candidates across the State College, Bellefonte and Penns Valley races had strong showings in Tuesday’s primary, with all affiliated candidates making it on one ballot. Unlike previous years, several slates and PACs have emerged in the 2023 election cycle, with half of the candidates for Penns Valley and Bellefonte Area races associated with a slate.

State College’s November election will see two rival PACs face off for the five available board seats — four United 4 SCASD candidates against five Slate for State candidates.

United 4 SCASD thanked voters in a statement to the Centre Daily Times.

“Our candidates are looking forward to continuing our engagement with all members of our district community to hear their concerns and discuss the sensible changes they want to see happen,” the email said. “Michelle Young, Barry Fenchak, Nathan Bish, and John Krajcovic are determined to make our schools safe, ensure diverse community voices are heard, and facilitate a welcoming environment where all students, teachers and staff are valued.”

Slate for State also thanked voters in a statement to the CDT and said they were overwhelmed with the support for the five candidates.

“There is always more work to be done in education, and we’re so thankful that you’ve chosen us to lead the way,” Slate for State said in an email. “We will continue to show up for this community — its students, teachers, administrators, and staff — because strong public schools make for a stronger and better community.”

Here’s a look at the candidates who will appear on the ballot in November:

Bellefonte Area School Board

Republican ballot:

Timothy Kessling

Kimberly Weaver

Patrick Vincent Buck

Darrell Sharp

Jennifer Barnhart

Democratic ballot:

Julie Fitzgerald

Donna Smith

Paul Dombrowski

Joe Yech

Denelle Korin

The candidates that will appear on the Republican ballot in November are all part of the Win4Bellefonte group, which swept the 2021 campaign season.

Two incumbents, Fitzgerald and Smith, are among those who will be on the Democratic ballot.

Incumbent Nate Campbell received 420 Democrat votes and 839 Republican votes, making it on neither of the ballots for November.

State College Area School Board of Directors

Republican ballot:

Michelle Young

Nathan Bish

Barry Fenchak

John Krajcovic

Megan Layng

Democratic ballot:

Amy Bader

Gretchen Brandt

Anne Demo

Dan Kolbe

Aaron Miller

All United 4 SCASD candidates made the Republican ballot — Young, Bish, Fenchak and Krajcovic. Megan Layng, who was previously part of the PAC before parting ways after an unauthorized entry incident at the high school, also made the Republican ballot.

All the candidates on the Democratic ballot are part of Slate For State, a local PAC including incumbents Bader and Brandt, along with newcomers Dan Kolbe, Anne Demo and Aaron Miller.

Incumbent Laurel Zydney, who has served on the board for 12 years, did not receive enough votes to advance to either ballot in November.

Penns Valley Area School Board

Republican ballot:

Dan Hall

Molly Miller

Kim Kellerman Domin

Michael Pase

Domer Smeltzer

Democratic ballot:

Celesta Powell

Domer Smeltzer

Nicklaus Engle

Scott Butler

Karla Groy

All candidates from the local slate The Valleys’ Voice made the Republican ballot — Hall, Miller, Kellerman Domin and Pase.

Two incumbents, Smeltzer and Butler, will also appear on the ballots in November.