Politics & Government
Marketing Research Director, NA Parent, Seeks Seat on North Allegheny School Board
Kevin Mahler is running in a special election for a two-year seat on the board.
Below is a portion of his statement to North Allegheny Patch on why he is running:
I’m running in the special election for a two year seat on the North Allegheny School Board because I believe we need a new approach to issues like budgeting, taxes, decision-making, and community relations.
I began attending Board meetings last August when I heard the district was facing a potential $10 million deficit, despite several consecutive years of tax hikes. After carefully studying how this district is run, I believe that changes are needed, so that we can support and improve the educational model that makes NA successful.
Like many residents, I moved here 18 years ago because of NA’s reputation for excellence – and I have been pleased with the experiences and opportunities the district has provided for my children.
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I have always been a strong proponent of public education. Several family members, including my parents and brother, teach in public schools – and my education in public schools put my on the path to success as an undergrad at Duke University and while getting my MBA at the University of Pittsburgh.
In addition to our engagement in the NA school system through the kids, my wife and I are also committed to the well-being of the community as a whole. Viki is a pediatrician with an office in Wexford and I am a Market Research Director at a local consulting company. We are both active in our neighborhood association and I currently coach U5 soccer for the North Allegheny Soccer Club – the latest of several volunteer positions in my kids’ recreational sports leagues.
Find out what's happening in North Alleghenywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
It is because of this commitment to the district and a desire to “pay forward” the benefits we have received from living here, that I am running for the School Board. I decided to run as an Independent candidate because I believe it’s important for a School Director to have a bipartisan vision for the district.
Mahler faces Republican Gary Wenig, who unsuccessfully ran in the spring primary for the GOP nomination for a four-year seat on the board.
Mahler has the support of SaveNASchools, the community group which formed in response to last year's proposed closing of Peebles Elementary School, an idea which was recently shelved.
"SaveNASchools endorses Kevin Mahler for the 2-year seat because he is running on a bipartisan platform and has broad-based support from both Republicans and Democrats across the district," the group said in a statement.
Five candidates are vying for four-year seats on the board. Newcomers Scott Russell, Tara Fisher, and incumbent Ralph Pagone, who also were endorsed by SaveNASchools, won both the Republican and Democratic nominations in the spring primary.
Incumbent Thomas Schwartzmier also won the Republican nomination and incumbent Daniel Hubert also won the Democratic nomination in the spring primary.
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