2 write-ins, 2 newcomers react to Greater Latrobe School Board election win

Tom Gockel, a write-in candidate who emerged victorious in the four-year term Greater Latrobe School Board race, said he was “honored” by the unofficial election bureau results.

“It shows that our messaging worked, and the voters were angry,” said Gockel, 50, of Latrobe. “They just wanted a change.”

He cited the grassroots campaign effort by Latrobe residents who felt they weren’t being heard amid the district’s recent approval of a multimillion-dollar revitalization project, which is set to raise taxes a total of 24 mills by 2039.

Gockel, a registered Republican, was one of two write-in candidate winners, which he said was “huge,” since it’s difficult to even get one write-in winner.

Write-in John Petrarca finished third with 2,998 votes in the race for five, four-year terms on the board, while write-in Gockel finished fifth with 2,939 votes.

Petrarca, 64, of Latrobe, also a registered Republican, said the revitalization project played a “big role” for the large number of write-in votes cast.

The process of writing in candidate names is not easy, Petrarca said, as voters have to spell the names exactly right. A number of write-in votes came back with Petrarca’s name spelled wrong, but he still ended up in the top five.

“It’s a very tough economy we’re in right now — people are struggling,” Petrarca said. “I think that was a pretty powerful statement by the community.”

Gockel said his priority will be getting relief for Latrobe taxpayers.

“We have a lot facing us … it’s going to be difficult,” Gockel said. “If I can do that, I will definitely do that.”

Petrarca said he’s both humbled and excited by the opportunity to be on the school board, and he’s looking forward to getting started.

“I really appreciated the support,” Petrarca said. “My goal is just to be able to help (the board members) with a clear vision for the district, help them strategically use resources — continue to maintain high standards of student achievement.”

He’s looking to get to know the board members better, as well as people in the district.

“I want to see the school district thrive,” Petrarca said.

John Urban, a newcomer, came in second with 4,937 votes. Urban, 71, of Unity, cross-filed but ended up only on the Democratic ticket. He’s a registered Republican.

He said he was surprised by the high number of mail-in votes he received — the highest out of anyone in the four-year term race at 1,421.

“I try to analyze the numbers, where they’re coming from,” Urban said, referencing the grassroots campaign. “We were able to channel the people’s concerns into the election. … It worked surprisingly well.”

Urban agreed with Petrarca that a lot of people are struggling economically. Urban said he believes the buildings Latrobe school district has are fine, and the district shouldn’t keep moving forward with its revitalization plan.

The average taxpayer in the district would see a $648 increase from their current tax bill by the end of 2039. Based on the most recent common level ratio of 11%, the average assessed value of a home in Greater Latrobe is about $27,000.

Urban’s main priorities will include looking at the facilities and contracts related to the project, as well as looking at the district’s approach to teaching and the correlation to class sizes.

He said the board members will have a “good working relationship” among themselves and with the district.

In fourth place, Bradley Toman, also a newcomer alongside Urban, received 2,979 votes. Toman, 39, of Unity, cross-filed; he didn’t take a stance on the revitalization project prior to the Nov. 7 election.

He said he’s looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with both the new and remaining members of the board as well as all of the district’s stakeholders.

“I appreciate all the hard work and dedication that all the current and former board members have given supporting our community,” Toman said.

Since he has two young children in the district, he said his first priority will be maintaining the parent voice in Latrobe’s educational system.

Toman said he believes educating children is one of the “greatest responsibilities” given to a community, and it’s part of the school board’s responsibility.

“I think there are a lot of challenges that will be presented to the board,” Toman said. “I am fully invested in being able to work through those challenges — the knowns and unknowns.”

Out of the five winners, only one is an incumbent. Merle L. Musick, was on the Republican slate and will serve his fourth term on the board. He got the most votes, 5,309.

Musick, 60, of Latrobe, voted against the district’s multimillion-dollar revitalization plan.

Incumbents who did not win reelection included Eric Hauser with 2,784 votes; Susan Mains with 2,740; and Michael Zorch with 2,699.

All voted in favor of the district’s revitalization plan. Hauser is the outgoing board president.

Write-in votes accounted for more than 24% of the 28,396 votes cast in the Latrobe four-year term race.

The election board will issue a precertification of the vote at its meeting on Monday, Nov.20. Voters can then challenge the results in court before a final certification is issued on Nov. 27.