Editor’s note: The Signal Itemis only spotlighting contested races in the primary election.
Communication, transparency and finances are top of mind for the six candidates seeking four nominations on the Carlynton School Board.
Brittany Bova, Tina Geer and Reece Smith, and incumbents Leeanne Mitchell-O’Brien, Susie Puskar and Christine Simcic are the candidates for May’s primary. Election Day is May 20.
All candidates cross-filed as Democrats and Republicans except for Bova who will only appear on the Democratic ticket.
The Signal Item asked all candidates to answer: “What is the biggest issue facing Carlynton School District right now, and how would you address it?”
Brittany Bova
Age: 35
Education: Bachelors of Arts in criminal justice and sociology from Edinboro University 2010, 2006 graduate of Schenley High School
Occupation: School-based mental health coordinator at Pittsburgh Public Schools
“The biggest issue I think facing the district right now is the lack of open communication and transparency from the board. I believe that it is essential for those two things in order to build a stronger, more efficient board that focuses on student outcomes.
“I believe that open collaborations and open communication are essential in order for the board to ensure that the decisions made reflect the needs of all stakeholders. I believe that the community, teachers, students and parents should feel comfortable asking the hard questions to the board and the board needs to be open and transparent with their answers. These two things will start to build a foundation that has been lacking for many years.”
Tina Geer
Age: 44
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Occupation: Solutions Architect expert
“One of the most pressing issues facing our district is the lack of effective communication between the administration, school board, and the community. As a parent and longtime resident, I was surprised to learn about major decisions, like the capital improvement project at Carnegie Elementary and the relocation of the LS/AS program, only through word of mouth or after plans were already in motion.
“When important information is not proactively shared, misinformation spreads and trust erodes. Our community deserves clear, timely updates about meetings, decisions and school initiatives. I raised this concern in June 2024, and, since then, a Communication Committee has been formed, with a plan scheduled for board review by June 2025. While this is a positive step, we must do more to build transparency and keep families informed and engaged. Strong schools start with strong communication, and I’m committed to being a voice for better connection across our district.”
LeeAnne Mitchell-O’Brien
Age: 50
Education: B.A. University of Pittsburgh; J.D. University of Pittsburgh School of Law
Occupation: Healthcare attorney
“As a small district, our biggest challenge is the overall lack of sufficient funding for education in Pennsylvania. School funding has changed significantly over the years with dramatic decreases in federal funding and moderate decreases in state funding, so now the primary burden falls on local municipalities.
The significant decrease in federal funding is particularly frustrating as the costliest programs that school districts provide — special education, title services for economically disadvantaged kids and English language learner programming — are all federally mandated programs.
As a board, we are committed to doing everything necessary to ensure the kids impacted by these programs get what they need to be just as successful as any ‘typical’ student in the district, but that commitment comes with the reality that the costs will be covered by our local funding. Working hard to be appropriate stewards of our limited district finances is an ongoing, significant focus.”
Susie Puskar
Age: 44
Education: Master’s of Public Affairs from Indiana University
Occupation: Workforce development professional
“Carlynton is a strong district with great assets. We face challenges in balancing growth, the needs of students, and what we ask of taxpayers. Our facilities have not kept pace with growth and the demands of K-12 education. For more than a year, the district has evaluated the current facilities and needs of the student body and staff. We’ve begun the process to modernize Carnegie Elementary — adding space and ensuring the building aligns with the demands of 21st-century education. As a district with a predominantly residential tax base, we must carefully balance these necessary investments in our schools with responsible fiscal stewardship.
“As a homeowner, a parent of two Carlynton students, and a workforce development professional, I know that investing in our schools builds our community’s future. Strong schools contribute to student success, home values and the overall appeal of our district.”
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Christine Simcic
Age: 57
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration
Occupation: Society of Human Resources Management certified professional
“The biggest issue facing Carlynton School District right now is effective communication. Great things are happening in the district, but the community is unaware. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication. We cannot rely on attendance at school board meetings or word of mouth to share information.
“The district has taken many steps to address this. Our Superintendent hosts Superintendent Forums at each of the three schools to meet in person with members of the community and discuss their concerns. Carlynton Connections magazine has been created and distributed throughout the community. The district is posting information on social media. Furthermore, a Communications Committee has been established to focus efforts in a meaningful way.
“As an incumbent, I hold the administration accountable and provide support for prioritizing our communication efforts. You can learn more about me on the ‘Carlynton School Board Candidates’ Facebook page. I would be honored to earn your vote!”
Reece Smith
Age: 21
Education: Graduated from Allegheny College with an economics major and math minor
Occupation: Client service associate in the financial planning field
“One of the biggest challenges our district faces is a school board which shies away from parent and student feedback. We need to provide community members with more time and information about topics before decisions are made. Twenty-four hours from the agenda publishing deadline to when the final vote is taken is not enough for families to voice their opinions about important decisions.
“The lack of opportunity for feedback often creates bad will between the community and the board, which makes gathering feedback more difficult in the future. This creates a barrier to solving other challenges in the district, as any group of nine does not have answers to everything. It takes input from everyone involved in the district in order to improve the district. I want to ensure the board gathers that feedback by alerting community members about important decisions earlier and actively seeking out people’s opinions.”