The North Hills School Board race has 10 candidates vying for five open seats. Candidates running for the four-year terms are incumbents Helen D. Spade, Phil Little, Kathryn Poniatowski and Rachael Rennebeck, and newcomers Traci Brown, April Lynn Casey, Samantha Ellwood, John Hoffman, Dana Merlino and Ashley Stephens.
Here are the candidates’ biographical information and their responses to this question posed by the Tribune-Review: In the North Hills School District, a question of whether to spend $926,978.35 on a multi-purpose sports field has come before the board? Yes or no, is this a proper way for the district to spend nearly a million dollars? Why or why not?
Traci L. Brown
Age: 61
Political party: Republican
Education: CCAC
Occupation: Self-employed franchise owner
Previous public office: Declined to answer
No. Spending $2.86 million on the baseball field is not a responsible use of taxpayer funds, especially since the baseball team already has an adequate American Legion size field with many amenities. This spending, coupled with upcoming costs like teacher contracts, is going to lead to a massive tax increase, which will shift the burden to those that are already struggling. Our focus needs to be increasing student achievement and fiscal responsibility to the taxpayer.
April Lynn Casey
Age: 44
Political party: Republican
Education: Duquesne University
Occupation: Teacher
Previous public office: Declined to answer
As a North Hills School graduate, I would answer yes to spending $926,978.35 for a new multi-purpose sports field. My reason is due to ‘If you build it, they will come,’ bringing the community together and gathering results in many positive ways. Some examples include:
Kids build relationships and trust in one another.
Family and friends celebrate memories created at the facility.
Sports activities create self confidence in kids.
Teamwork makes the dream work. Having a place to gather and celebrate sporting events leads to positive reinforcement for our community and residents.
Samantha Ellwood
Age: 38
Political party: Democrat
Education: Drexel University, MS in instruction and curriculum; University of Pittsburgh Johnstown, BA in communications; North Hills High School class of 2003
Occupation: Nonprofit executive director
Previous public office: None
I agree with addressing the deteriorating condition of the hilltop field. The proposed new design addresses the challenges of the space while expanding the opportunities for more students to use and access it. Going forward, I would like to help the district in growing our use of funding streams outside of taxpayer dollars.
John C. Hoffman Jr.
Age: Declined to answer
Political party: Republican
Education: Multiple degrees in electronic technologies and computer networking
Occupation: Director of customer Service
Previous public office: Currently the recording secretary for the Ross/West View Republican Committee. Committee Man for West View District 5.
The actual expenditure is 2.86 million dollars. It is improper to spend this much on the field as there are other expenses coming up such as roof work, busing needs and a new contract for the teachers. This project started to address the safety issues, and I am all for correcting the issues. North Hills School District’s responsibility is, first and foremost, education. We shouldn’t focus appearance at the cost of substance.
Phil Little
Age: 38
Political party: Democratic
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Slippery Rock University, master’s from Western Governors University
Occupation: Specialist, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
Previous public office: North Hills Board member since 2019; Allegheny Intermediate Unit board of directors (president) - 2020 to present; Ross Township zoning hearing board (chairman) - 2018 to present
As I’ve stated publicly previously, yes, it is a good investment for the community and the school district. The multipurpose field is a solid investment for all students. Utilizing the space for physical education classes, sports, the marching band, and other activities ensures that the multipurpose field serves all students in the district. When it comes to the cost of the field, I’d like to see our administration be aggressive in finding partnerships for naming rights/sponsorships. Many of our neighboring school districts do this, and it would be an amazing opportunity to build community partnerships while offsetting the cost.
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Dana Merlino
Age: 41
Political party: Republican
Education: I graduated as a certified medical insurance specialist from Career Training Academy after graduation from North Hills High School.
Occupation: Small business owner
Previous public office: Declined to answer
Unfortunately, the decision to spend $2.86 million on the field will have a negative effect on taxpayers. The students deserve a field that is in playing condition and resources should be used to fix the issues. However, the district will be faced with the upcoming collective bargaining agreements for teachers and classroom assistants. It would be irresponsible to shift the burden to the taxpayer with a massive tax increase to support both a field and contracts.
Kathryn Poniatowski
Poniatowski did not respond to requests for comment for this article.
Rachael Rennebeck
Age: 47
Political party: Democrat
Education: BA from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Occupation: Co-owner media company
Previous public office: School board director 2019-present
I voted yes as it will be taken from the capital fund, and as stated, a multi-purpose field, not a baseball only field. I look forward to it being used for soccer and baseball games, band practice, gym class and other extracurricular activities.
Helen D. Spade
Age: Declined to answer
Political party: Democrat
Education: 12th grade
Occupation: Retired
Previous public office: Eight years on North Hills School Board
I support the field, but I am disappointed that the final package does not include restrooms. As a board member, it’s important to be fiscally responsible, while at the same time making sure our facilities are accessible to all.
Ashley Stephens
Age: Declined to answer
Political party: Democrat
Occupation: Telehealth executive
Previous public office: None
Historically, the North Hills School District has made pennywise and pound foolish decisions. In constructing the annex gym, a previous school board opted to cut corners on development, omitting air conditioning from the facility. During the warmer months, this gym often reaches unsafe temperatures, rendering it useless for portions of the year. In 2013, the school board cut transportation costs by implementing the bus schedule we have today. That decision has backed our district into unfavorable contracts, lengthy rides, unusual schedules and insufficient service for extracurricular activities. Failing to spend money today on a climate-appropriate field surface would perpetuate this cycle of poor investment planning.
Wet conditions put our current (and future natural grass) fields out of commission — sometimes for long periods. To say that anything other than artificial turf would be appropriate for a multipurpose field would be to state either it’s acceptable to have the still-insufficient space restricted to a handful of students for much of the year or to live in a fantasy where our district exists in a dry, sunny environment with predictable spring weather patterns.
Development must come with realistic, long-term, strategic plans. Products should meet community needs rather than serve as a candidate’s election-season soundbite. Cost-benefit considerations must include the cost of inaction. The evidence is on the side of infrastructure investment. In addition to meeting student needs, field development comes with substantial benefits for the entire district:
For homebuyers, district investment resources and facilities impact property desirability. Property values increase by around $20 for every $1 spent on school funding, (according to the) National Bureau of Economic Research.
In a 1996 study, Penn State found facility quality correlates to performance and teacher retention.
Failing to make strategic district improvements fails students, educators and taxpayers in the long run.
It is appropriate to make investments that fully and entirely address a deficiency, are in the interest of the population served, and offer a clear return on investment to the community. Yes, this field development project is a proper way to spend district funds.
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Paul Guggenheimer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at pguggenheimer@triblive.com.