Six Democratic candidates for Riverview School Board are vying for four open spots on the November ballot in the May 20 primary.
The candidates include incumbents Bridget Seery and Wendy Wilton and newcomers Chistopher Conard, Adeshewa Metzger, Nick Paradise and Michael Smales.
Paradise and Wilton are cross-filed on the primary ballot, while Conard, Metzger, Seery and Smales are running only as Democrats. The term of office is four years.
Wilton, 52, is completing her first term and serves as the board’s president.
“I feel that the best thing we can do for a community is to have an appealing school district for outsiders and a school district that offers modern opportunities for students and a safe environment. The most important thing is that every one of our students feels valued and safe.”
Wilton said she hopes to continue her work on the board and strengthen every aspect of the district’s offering from the arts to athletics.
“I’m very proud of the work we’ve done with the current board,” she said.
During her time on the board, the high school’s weight room and the elementary school playgrounds were updated. In her role on the Eastern Area Committee, she assisted with negotiations to reach a new jointure agreement for the AIU Sunrise School.
She earned a master’s degree in physical therapy from Slippery Rock and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Pacific Lutheran University in Washington. Wilton is a home care physical therapist in the Oakmont and Verona area.
This will be Paradise’s second time appearing on the ballot after running for a seat in 2o23. If elected, he hopes to help Riverview become less “stagnant.”
“Enrollment is stagnant, down approximately 400 students from 10-15 years ago. But expenses, a budget just under $27 million this year, continue climbing,” said Paradise, 39.
Paradise said while the problem isn’t unique to Riverview, education needs be thought of in a “much different manner.”
“We must find ways to deliver better outcomes for all students while keeping life in this community attainable for the diverse mix of residents who call it home,” he said.
Paradise earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Penn State University and is an external communications manager for Peoples Natural Gas.
Seery, 45, is hoping to keep her seat on the board as she finishes a two-year term. She said funding is the biggest hurdle for the district to overcome.
“(Funding) is multifaceted and includes the state’s constitutional obligation to fund Riverview School District as well as all other school districts in the commonwealth and the federal government’s obligation to provide funding particularly for special education costs,” Seery said.
She said funding is not the only issue facing the district at the moment, but it’s one of the most significant.
“I see it as vital to ensure that educators are able to teach content unencumbered. Access to information is essential to facilitating the practice of critical thinking. It is a bedrock of democracy to have an educated and informed public,” Seery said.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Marymount University in Virginia, a master’s in special education and coursework for her certification in elementary education from Slippery Rock University and a master’s degree in human resources and labor relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She works for the Virginia Education Association in organizing and affiliate support. Previously, she worked as a union organizer, special education teacher and a mental health case manager.
Conard, 43, is running for his first political office. He said finding a balance between maintaining district programs and managing funding is the biggest issue facing Riverview.
“With the uncertainty of federal and state funding, districts will need to find creative solutions to maintain the arts and athletics, as well as supporting our children with disabilities,” he said.
Conard is an audit executive. He said his profession would lend a helpful perspective when facing this challenge.
“Given my background, I’m uniquely positioned to guide the district through the uncertain times ahead and ensure our children receive the best educational experience possible,” he said.
He earned a bachelor’s in accounting from Duquesne University and is a certified public accountant.
Metzger, 44, is another newcomer on the Riverview ballot. She volunteers with the district and the Oakmont Garden Club. If elected, she plans to defend student rights.
“Including the right to have access to age-appropriate books about history and all kinds of people,” she said. “I believe students also have the right to an education that helps them be successful in a technically advanced world.”
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Metzger is a retiree who previously worked for Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Riverview School District, Assemble and the Michigan Science Center. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Michigan University. She’s campaigned after a previous run for Penn Hills Council.
Smales, 41, is making his political debut. He said the biggest issue facing the district is the anticipated funding cuts from the federal government.
“Hopefully, those cuts don’t become a reality. But if they do, we will need a school board that is ready to face the problem head-on,” he said. “Whether we address it by delaying capital improvements or by petitioning the state for more resources and funding, we must ensure that the effects of the cuts do not impact our students and the quality of education they deserve.”
Smales earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in teaching and his teaching certificate from Chatham University. He is a language arts and social studies teacher at Pittsburgh Public Schools. In addition to teaching, he’s worked as a curriculum writer, volleyball and soccer coach, family and community engagement coordinator and tech liaison for the Pittsburgh Public Schools.