Seven candidates, including four incumbents, are seeking nomination to four seats on the Mt. Pleasant Area School Board. All cross-filed on the Democratic and Republican tickets in the May 18 primary.

Incumbent board members on the ballot this year include Allison A. Brooks, 37; Brad Coppula, 46; Eric Poole, 43; and Donald Seder, 53. Brooks, Coppula and Poole each were appointed to fill vacancies during the past year. Seder is seeking a second full term.

Challengers include Aaron R. Howard, 43; Dru Knopsnider, 37; and Russell Riddle, 55.

Like school directors in rural communities across the state, the board must balance the need for strong schools with the necessity of operating with a limited tax base, composed largely of residential property taxes.

The future of Donegal Elementary School might be the most contentious issue facing the new board. Two years ago, the board shifted grades four through six to Ramsay Elementary School, leaving kindergarten through grade three at Donegal.

Last month, board members narrowly approved a motion to hold public hearings to consider closing or reconfiguring Donegal.

Area residents, who oppose closing the Donegal school, say that would foist a one-hour bus ride on children and put them in a more crowded building in the midst of a pandemic. Proponents of the move say they have to look at cost-cutting efforts and whether children would do better at the larger school.

Coppula, a high school history teacher in Connellsville Area School District and father of three school-age children, is opposed to closing the elementary school.

“I’ll listen to evidence on both sides. But, as of now, unless there is some very compelling argument to the contrary, I am opposed to it,” he said.

Brooks is the mother of two school-age children and a school psychologist who serves grades four through six in Norwin School District. She said she is seeking a full term to help ensure children get the best possible education.

Brooks said she’s willing to listen to proposals to reconfigure schools but believes the long bus ride would not be good for small children.

Knopsnider, a business owner from Acme, is a first-time candidate. He got involved in the race as a local business owner to give a voice to those opposing the school closing.

Howard, a certified equine dentist, auctioneer and small-business owner, served on the board from 2015-19 but did not seek re-election. The father of two school-age children said he’s running again to support efforts to enhance learning opportunities. He said he’s not a fan of closing Donegal.

“I want us to become a district where people seek to move here because of the quality of the school,” he said.

Riddle, a logistics manager for a steel manufacturing firm in Homer City, is the father of two adult daughters who graduated from Mt. Pleasant Area. He said his only motivation is to see that the district is “run right.” He said he has friends in Donegal but has yet to make up his mind about the elementary school.

“I’ve watched the school board for years, and everyone has an agenda. I just want to see our children as well prepared as they can be,” he said.

Seder, who is seeking a second term on the board, is the facilities manager for Excela Health in Latrobe and has a son graduating from Mt. Pleasant Area this year and a daughter in high school. He said he wants to gather more information before making any decisions about the future of Donegal Elementary.

“It always comes down to money, but, as a board member, I have to look at how it’s affecting students and families. My goal is to back what’s best for kids,” he said.

Poole, a master production scheduler for Argon ST, a subsidiary of the Boeing Co., lives in Mt. Pleasant Township and is the father of three school-age children. He voted to hold a public hearing to get input on the future of Donegal Elementary and said he wants to work with the community to find a way forward on the issues it faces.

“It’s all about the children, my three children, the children of the district and the administrators. We are a family, and we’re in this together,” he said.

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