4 compete for 2 seats on Bethel Park School Board
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Four candidates are in the running on Nov. 7 for two of five seats on Bethel Park School Board: a pair of incumbent Republicans, Barry Christenson and Vincent Scalzo, and two Democrats, Liz Avon and Danielle Gosnell, running together on a slate called BP4All;
In the primary, incumbents Darren McGregor, James H. Modrak and Kimberly Walsh Turner won nominations for both parties.
Candidates for the opposed seats were asked for biographical information and to answer the question:
What do you view as the most pertinent issue for Bethel Park School District, and how do you plan to address it?
Liz Avon (D)
Age: 38
Education: BA in government and politics from University of Maryland; juris doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law
Occupation: family law and fertility law attorney
When I first decided to run for Bethel Park School director, it was in large part due to the need for on-site before- and after-school care. It was also due to a need for professionalism and decorum on the school board. Both of these issues remain at the forefront of what I hope to achieve as director.
After meeting with many community members, my goals and the issues that are at the top of many citizens’ minds are much broader. Bethel Park School District has many strengths, but falls short in the areas of diversity, support for disabled children and transparency. The BP4All slate is dedicated to doing what is right for Bethel Park, aligning with the majority of its residents who desire inclusivity and oppose book bans. Our district deserves a curriculum that reflects the diversity of the students who live in our community.
Supporting all students — including LGBTQ+ identifying, neurodivergent, minority and disabled students — is not only a matter of compassion and human rights, but also has clear positive outcomes for the individuals, themselves; their peers; and the broader community. It contributes to a healthier, more accepting and more equitable school environment. Diversifying the curriculum, both in AP classes and special education classes, can help strengthen the Bethel Park School District as a whole, thereby improving their overall ranking and also helping to unify the community.
When the school district succeeds, the entire community shares in that success with increased property values.
As a slate, we commit to bringing professionalism and transparency to our school board. We believe in open dialogue and refuse to define others without first engaging in meaningful conversations. Our school board needs to work together to represent the entire community that elected them. That’s why we’re called BP4All: We’re here to represent the needs and values of every member of our community.
Barry Christenson (R)
Age: 56
Education: BS, mechanical engineering, North Dakota State University; MS, mechanical engineering, Kettering University
Occupation: software sales/marketing, Ansys Inc.
Previous public office: eight years on Bethel Park School Board
Pertinent issue: Since I’ve been on the school board, my focus has always been on optimizing student performance/opportunities vs. the taxpayer cost to do that.
Over the course of the last four years, this board has made progress towards this goal through the creation of the first-ever strategic plan for the district, hiring great leaders, investing in academics, while minimizing the cost to do that.
My motivation for seeking another term is to continue helping our district provide an exceptional learning environment for every student while utilizing financial resources based on a sound fiscal plan.
Danielle Gosnell (D)
Age: 41
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration, both from Point Park University
Occupation: assistant corporate secretary at an international industrial manufacturing company
It should not come as a surprise to most that the topic of the new elementary school center has been a consistent point of concern and conversation. While Wards 2 and 6 will be directly impacted by the initial construction and uptick in traffic, our entire community will feel the impact of these changes at one point or another.
As plans for the new elementary center are underway, our community must take the opportunity to ensure that our district is set up with the highest quality curriculum, top-notch safety and security, and state-of-the-art facilities that work for EVERY ONE of our students, families, administrators and staff. Unfortunately, the current school board has missed opportunities to expand the educational curriculum, keep the new elementary center on schedule and remain fully transparent at the beginning stages. BP4All will provide expanded resources to allow all Bethel Park’s learners to thrive and succeed.
What needs to follow is transparency in decisions made and the inclusion of all voices in the district. This includes intentional outreach to individuals and families often ignored. BP4All will work to put ourselves out into the community, be easily accessible, be responsive and ask questions of as many different stakeholders as possible. BP4All will actively listen to help build and evolve policies while striving to lift everyone up.
This means acknowledging that there is no one-stop-shop education. We know that different students have different needs and they are ALL valued. We will fight for higher standards of education for students with diverse backgrounds.
Besides believing that this is simply the right thing to focus on, BP4All believes that the diversity in our community can be one of our biggest strengths. By elevating and bringing in diverse voices, we will strengthen the education our students receive. We will truly prepare them for an ever more diverse world and set them up for success. We will attract younger and families into our communities, making Bethel Park an attractive community for future home buyers.
I am passionate about making sure every student feels welcome in the classroom, and that teachers are empowered to provide the best education possible. My professional insights and personal experience inspired me to want to be part of the Bethel Park School Board, and lend my abilities and vision to improving the education of all our students during these times of change.
If elected, here is my commitment to you: I will ensure transparency throughout the construction process. I will meet you where you are to answer your questions, whether it is over the phone, on social media or in person. Most importantly, we will prioritize the well-being and safety of our community’s children in every decision we make.
Vincent Scalzo (R)
Age: 45
Education: bachelor of science, double major in environmental science and Secondary Education; master of science in environmental science
Occupation: science teacher
Previous public office: Bethel Park school director
Pertinent issue: keeping political activism out of our schools, regardless of political party, and to focus on the job that a school was meant to do, educate our students by keeping academics first.
I’m addressing the matter by reaching out to community members from both ends of the political spectrum and trying to build bridges. I have been communicating to community members that our schools should be politically neutral. If disagreements arise with others, have your political battles after the school day, and let kids be kids.
Our opposition, Liz Avon and Danielle Gosnell, have not provided an educational plan with specifics about curriculum over the last 10 months of their campaign. As soon as they read this, I’m sure a plan will magically appear due to their politics. Their only message is talking about book banning and inclusiveness.
I would like to publicly say that the present Bethel Park School Board has never banned any books. We have implemented district-approved signs in every school with a mirror, and a message that says you belong. I describe myself as more inclusive than my opponents because I govern for all families regardless of their political affiliation.
My evidence is that I have been a registered Democrat for the last 27 years, who has been primaried by my own party for not being 100% pure according to their ideology. I have always been my own person who thinks independently, and I will never toe any party line, which has put a target on my back. I will always focus on our children and their academics by moving Bethel Park forward, not left or right.
As the father of three young boys, I have the same concern as many parents: Will our children be ready for the 21st-century workforce? Therefore, I’m keeping academics first, not politics.