Spotlight on Joseph Muha - North Hills School District

1.      Please provide our readers with a brief paragraph introducing yourself that provides them with a snapshot of your background.

       I was born and raised in McKeesport.  I spent K-6 in the McKeesport public school and grades 7-12 in the Catholic school system, graduating from Serra Catholic.  From there I received a BS in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science from Carnegie-Mellon.  While working as a metallurgical engineer with Crucible Materials Corporation, I received a MBA from Chapman College in Syracuse, NY and a MS in Material Science from Pitt. Currently I hold the position of Research Engineer and Quality Assurance at ATI Powder Metals. (ATI purchased the two Pittsburgh locations of Crucible Materials Corp in 2009).  Recently I received a European patent for an alloy of steel made by the powder method.  I have been residing in Ross since 1998 with my wife, and later welcomed a son who is currently in second grade in the North Hills School District. 

2.      What qualifications and skills will you bring to this position?  For incumbents, please do not reference the number of years you have served in office as a qualification.

    I feel that my education in engineering and business, plus my work experience have taught me to thoroughly analyze a situation to come to a rational decision.  This work experience includes research projects, capital requests, working with suppliers and customers, supervising personnel and quality improvements.  I have a desire to see children get an opportunity to improve themselves and have a better life.  Before I was married, I volunteered in the same day surgery area at Children’s’ Hospital.   When my son was in soccer, I volunteered for coaching.  Currently I am coaching a baseball team in the NHAA Instruction Division and am involved with Cub Scout Pack 283 which meets at McIntyre School.  I have also been on the NHSD public budget committee for the last four years. 

3.      Why do you seek this elected office?

    After being involved with the NHSD public budget committee for the last several years, it was apparent that there are some philosophical differences between myself and the current board.  Although I never envisioned myself as running for a public office, I felt that I needed to take action. 

4.      What do you think is the most important issue facing North Hills School District in the coming years?  How do you plan to address it?

        The biggest challenge right now, not only for NHSD, but for hundreds of public schools in this country is how are we going to continue to provide a quality education and pay for it.  There are many economic issues looming right now, decreased state funding, an underfunded state pension that will result in higher payments from the schools in the upcoming years, the possibility of vouchers, etc.  I plan to address this issue by carefully watching how we spend on money now, and on what.  For example, last years budget was passed with a projected deficit of $800000.  Although this could be covered by the district’s reserves, the public budget committee felt that more should have been done to reduce or eliminate the deficit, knowing that the above issues were on the horizon. 

5.      If elected, what single change will your try to make to North Hills School District?  Why this change? 

    This ties into the previous response.  The biggest change I think is necessary is to eliminate short sightedness and to really think long term. People need to realize that the budget passed today not only effects the current year, but the next several years.  As stated above, my son is in second grade.  I am interested in the long term viability of the district.  I want it to be successful when he graduates and beyond. 

6.      How are you different from your opponent(s)? 

    Many, if not most of the candidates have grown up in this district.  I have attended a different public school and am a graduate of Catholic school.  This does give me a different perspective of the education system.  Unlike many others, I have a child in elementary school, so I am in this for the long term. 

7.      For incumbents, what is one decision that you have made in your role as North Hills School board member that you regret?  What would you have done differently and why?

    N/A

8.      For new candidates, what is one decision that you feel North Hills School Board has made that had a negative impact?  What would you have done differently and why?  What is one decision the North Hills School District has made that had a positive impact and why? 

    When the decision was made to consolidate the elementary schools from 7 to 4, one of the selling points was that elimination of positions would pay for this effort. Then when the time came to start closing schools, there were cold feet and the downsizing was smaller than presented in the original plan.  I would have followed through with the original plan, as this has had negative economic effects on the district.  I think a powder decision was for the district to pay for the AP tests for students taking those courses.  This has encouraged more students to take AP courses and to take the tests for college credits. 

9.      Why do you live within the North Hills School District?

    After getting married in 1998, we needed to find a home that was convenient for both of us for work, and a nice place to live with a good school.  Ross fit all these.  We live in a nice, friendly neighborhood that is convenient to many things, including downtown activities. 

10.   What is the best part about North Hills School District? 

    I think the district offers a good, well rounded education.  There are a lot of activities for the students and a range of advanced opportunities. 

11.   Where do you think North Hills School District will be 4 years from now?  How will you be instrumental in moving it in that direction? 

    That is the critical question.  If the district continues to make shortsighted decisions, it will be in dire financial trouble.  If it will change and think in the long term, it will be a viable entity providing a quality education.  Even at that, given the current situation for public school funding, there will be many difficult decisions along the way.  I want to bring this long term thinking to the board and am willing to make difficult decisions, rather that hoping they go away. 

Spotlight on John Sponcer - Ross Township Commissioner Candidate in Ward 5

1.  Please provide our readers with a brief paragraph introducing yourself that provides them with a snapshot of your background.

I have been a resident of Ross Township with 11 years in Laurel Gardens.  I was born and raised on the North Side, a graduate of North Catholic High School, attended CCAC (Business) and a US Army veteran.  I am retired from Comcast as a construction technician.  My wife Denise and I have 2 daughters, Krista (20) and Kelsey (10).  As a township resident, I have over 37 years as a volunteer firefighter with Perrysville VFD and Evergreen VFD. 

2.  What qualifications and skills will you bring to this position?  For incumbents, please do not reference the number of years you have served in office as a qualification.

In my years of service with the fire department, I have held leadership positions within the Perrysville VFD, including 10 years as Fire Chief.  I am the Director of Communications for the Emergency Management for Ross Township as well as a member of the Fire Appeals Board.  I currently serve as the President of the Ross Township Fireman’s Association and Secretary of the Fireman’s Relief Association. 

In the majority of these roles, I have provided leadership to many, incorporating the safety of the firefighters while protecting the residents of the township.  With my roles in Emergency Management, I have worked with leaders of the Township and Allegheny County to provide services during severe weather or other emergencies.  With my role as Fire Association President and the Relief Association, I have the responsibility to represent the township’s eight fire companies on a local and state level, seeking additional funding in the form of grants.

3.  Why do you seek this elected office?

I see this as an opportunity to lend a voice to the residents of the Third Ward, which lately have been silent.  I feel that some of the residents do not have an equal voice throughout the ward.  There are many opportunities that have been missed and others ignored, at the cost of the residents of the Township.

4.  What do you think is the most important issue facing Ross Township in the coming years?  How do you plan to address it?

The most important issue facing the Township is revitalization of business within the Township, not just McKnight Road.  Babcock Boulevard and Perry Highway need to have the same focus of business revitalization.

If I am elected, I would eliminate Ross Economic Development (RED), and seek out the expertise in marketing and development to bring business into Ross Township as well as curtailing the startup of controversial businesses.

5.  If elected, what single change will you try to make to Ross Township?  Why this change?

I will strive to protect the infrastructure of the Township assuring public safety with well staffed and equipped police, fire, and EMS.  The township needs to focus on road paving, not only from a safety perspective, but to keep future costs down when no other options are available.  The residents of Ross Township need to feel comfortable and safe in their neighborhoods and have a place to play and grow as in our parks and recreation programs.

6.  Where do you think Ross Township will be 4 years from now?  How will you be instrumental in moving it in that direction?

If the Township continues in the same direction, the Township will have empty storefronts and decreased tax revenues with further loss of infrastructure.    Provision for public safety could be jeopardized related to decrease funding and loss of state funding.

If I am elected, I would place the importance of business development and longevity of prudent spending, while preserving services of the Township to steer it in the right direction. 

Focusing on public safety with adequate staffing and equipment for the police department and working to encourage membership with the volunteer fire service and EMS.  Working with the Parks and Recreation department to seek additional funding opportunities to secure programs for the residents. 

Leadership and cooperation of the Board of Commissioners as representatives of the Township is instrumental in the future of the Township, so the residents will have faith not mistrust in those elected.

7.  How are you different from your opponent(s)?

I feel that the incumbent has lost touch with all the residents of his district, focusing on a few versus the many.  His leadership on the Board of Commissioners has been lacking and is evident if you have ever attended a meeting, especially on concerns in his own district.

I feel that there needs to be a partnership with the North Hills School District, and other outside agencies, DUI task force, Northland library to enhance opportunities for Township residents and promote residency in the Township to preserve its reputation as a great area to raise a family.

8.  What do you think can be done to revitalize the McKnight Road business corridor?

As stated in question # 4.

9.  Why do you live in Ross Township?

The neighborhood, Laurel Gardens reminds me of the way neighborhoods used to be, a friendly, safe place to raise our children.  It also affords a short commute to work, prior to retiring, I drove to Pittsburgh daily and my wife works at UPMC Passavant Hospital.  North Hills School District has and continues to provide a valuable education to our children, including many opportunities for them to be able become productive citizens.  Ross Township has the opportunities for businesses and shopping without having to travel.

10.  What is the best part about Ross Township?

 The residents.

11.  Are you in favor of following the salary structure for Commissioners established by the First Class Township Code and reducing the pay from $5000 to $4375 since Ross Township has a population of 31,105?

Yes, as a commissioner I represent the residents of my ward.  The job should be about the residents, not the pay.

12.  Do you intend to accept the taxpayer funded health insurance?  Why or why not?

No, I receive coverage from my wife’s employer. 

The commissioners are part time employees, how many of the resident’s with part time employment are eligible for benefits at no cost.  The money is better spent elsewhere, considering most of the commissioners have additional employment.

For incumbents, what is one decision that you have made in your role as Commissioner that you regret?  What would you have done differently and why?

13.  For new candidates, what is one decision that you feel the Commissioners have made that had a negative impact?What would you have done differently and why?  What is one decision the Commissioners have made that had a positive impact and why?

In looking back over past years when decisions were made to forgo tax increases and decrease spending on road paving and other services, it has culminated into a larger deficit in a time of decreased funding availability from other sources (state/federal) that has placed the Township in a precarious position.  As unpopular as a decision as it may be, by not cutting taxes and “saving for a rainy day” coupled with proper cost controls could preserve the ability of the Township to provide services required as a First Class Township and the residents it represents.

To find a positive impact to past decisions, you would need to ask the majority of residents – what would there reply be, I currently can’t think of one.

Spotlight on Jeff Meyer - North Hills School Board

1.      Please provide our readers with a brief paragraph introducing yourself that provides them with a snapshot of your background.

I am a lifelong resident of the North Hills area living in the District for the past 19 years. Married with 3 children; 1 graduate of North Hills, 2 currently enrolled.  I am a graduate of Duquesne University (B.S. Business Administration) and Penn State University (M.S. Accounting). I have over 30 years of Finance and Accounting experience holding numerous professional licenses and certifications including CPA, CFA and CFP.  Over the years I have coached numerous summer league baseball teams.

2.      What qualifications and skills will you bring to this position?  For incumbents, please do not reference the number of years you have served in office as a qualification. 

    In addition to my extensive accounting and financial background I have experience teaching at the University level.

3.      Why do you seek this elected office? 

    I have been on the Board for eight years and believe I have made significant contributions to the District.  If elected I hope to continue to make similar contributions for the next 4 years.

4.      What do you think is the most important issue facing North Hills School District in the coming years?

    The decrease in funding from the Commonwealth of PA.  How do you plan to address it?  We need to reduce and or eliminate the unnecessary expenditures of “nice to have” items that will NOT adversely impact the quality of education District students deserve and have come to expect.

5.      If elected, what single change will your try to make to North Hills School District? 

    My hope is to increase the amount of transparency and communication between the administration, the board, the teachers and the general public. Why this change?  This should benefit the students of the District.  At the “end of the day” our #1 objective should be to provide our students with the best education possible at an affordable price.

6.      How are you different from your opponent(s)?
  
    I am unable to answer this question since I do not know all of the other candidates.  However, I will tell you that I have not and will not automatically “rubber stamp” everything the administration proposes/requests.

7.      For incumbents, what is one decision that you have made in your role as North Hills School board member that you regret?  

    I regret not being able to convince my colleagues on the Board to vote against the various derivatives the District entered into 4-5 years ago.  The last time I checked the Net Loss on these positions exceeded $1 Million.  What would you have done differently and why?  If I could ‘turn back the clock’ I would have called Board Members long before the meeting in an attempt to have them better understand the risk associated with these positions.

8.      For new candidates, what is one decision that you feel North Hills School Board has made that had a negative impact?  What would you have done differently and why?  What is one decision the North Hills School District has made that had a positive impact and why?

    N/A

9.      Why do you live within the North Hills School District? 

    My first reaction is “Why Not”?  We have a great school district that is finally beginning to receive the recognition it deserves.  The tax rate is relatively low when compared to other comparable districts in the area.  Lastly, we are conveniently located to Downtown Pittsburgh and some of the area’s major thoroughfares.

10.   What is the best part about North Hills School District? 

    Most if not all of the teachers in the District have a genuine interest in providing an excellent education for our students; providing them with necessary foundation to succeed in whatever path they decide to pursue after graduating.

11.   Where do you think North Hills School District will be 4 years from now? 

    Thanks to the efforts of our teachers and administrators our District and its students have made significant progress on a number of educational fronts.  My hope is that 4 years from now the quality of our programs and the educational value is even higher than it is today.    How will you be instrumental in moving it in that direction?  I hope to support the teachers and administrators in continuing the momentum the District currently enjoys.

Spotlight on Lou Nudi - North Hills School Board

1.      Please provide our readers with a brief paragraph introducing yourself that provides them with a snapshot of your background.

     I am a graduate of West View High School (now North Hills), Valley Forge Military College with an AA in Business Administration, and the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Economics.  I served 7 years as an Officer in the Army and 16 years with Westinghouse where I worked in Procurement, Project Management, Sales, and Marketing.  Now I am self-employed as a manufacturers’ agent for industrial fasteners, machining, and stampings.  Prior to my election to the board, I made several adversarial presentations to the board relative to the Martorelli Stadium construction mismanagement, a former Superintendent’s lame-duck contract, tax increases, and declining academic and financial performance.

2.      What qualifications and skills will you bring to this position?  For incumbents, please do not reference the number of years you have served in office as a qualification.

     My military service and civilian employment provided me with skills in leadership and critical thinking which developed a mission oriented mind-set.  My business, as a self- employed professional, requires me to be fiscally responsible.  Consequently, my personal philosophy or mission as a board member is to provide for and expect the best possible educational outcome at the lowest possible expenditure of taxpayer funds.

3.      Why do you seek this elected office?

     In my initial term, my desire to run for this office was two-fold:  first, to facilitate improved student academic performance and second, to consolidate the elementary schools.  The cost savings from the consolidation provided funding for the expansion and modernization of the buildings and equipping them with state-of-the-art educational technology.  My goals for another term are to facilitate continued improvement of academic performance and to be more active with the Pennsylvania School Board Association in order to influence legislation that is favorable to the public school system and maintains local control of schools.

4.      What do you think is the most important issue facing North Hills School District in the coming years?  How do you plan to address it?

     The most important issue facing North Hills School District in the future is financial.  Revenues from local, state and federal sources are decreasing and property tax increases are capped at the State Index, which approximates the inflation rate.  This situation is further exacerbated by state-mandated increased contributions by our school district to the under-funded teachers’ pension fund.  In short, expenditures are exceeding revenues.  My plan is to continue to right-size the staff, to support expansion of the North Hills Cyber Academy, which will stem the flow of reimbursements to out-of-district cyber schools, and to review all programs and reduce or eliminate those that do not contribute to basic education.  To accomplish this, I would, if necessary, raise taxes to the limits of the State Index or have any additional tax increase placed on referendum for public approval.

5.      If elected, what single change will your try to make to North Hills School District?  Why this change?

     If elected to a second term, I may be called upon to vote on a new teachers’ contract.  I will only vote favorably for a contract that contains salary increases that are reasonable, more sharing of benefit costs, and terms that facilitate efficient administration and management of the district.

6.      How are you different from your opponent(s)?

     This question is difficult to answer as I am not familiar enough with my opponents other than those who are currently on the board.  Relative to my incumbent opponents, I am philosophically on the same page with all but one.  I am consistent in my decision making and act with courage even when results may not be the most popular.  I am responsive to constituent complaints and strive to resolve their issues or achieve understandings.  Relative to the four non-incumbents, I know that two are fiscally conservative.  Another candidate is a teacher and I have little knowledge about the fourth.

7.      For incumbents, what is one decision that you have made in your role as North Hills School board member that you regret?  What would you have done differently and why?

     I regret voting for a tax increase in my first year on the board.  The proposed budget was supposedly in deficit, but actually it produced in a million-dollar surplus.  The following year I voted to reduce taxes by half of the previous year’s increase.

8.      For new candidates, what is one decision that you feel North Hills School Board has made that had a negative impact?  What would you have done differently and why?  What is one decision the North Hills School District has made that had a positive impact and why?

    Not applicable

9.      Why do you live within the North Hills School District?

     I live in the North Hills School District because I was raised here and have lived here all of my life except during my military service.  I was always proud of the district that provided me and my two sons with excellent educations.  Approximately 10 years ago, however, the Standard and Poor’s evaluations of the district, when compared with peer districts, began to slip.  This caused me to become a board adversary, then a board candidate, and ultimately a board member.  Fortunately, as a result of the current administration and faculty, this trend was reversed and is improving every year.

10.   What is the best part about North Hills School District?

     The best things about North Hills School District are its diverse student body, vibrant and involved faculty, and very capable administration.  Additionally, the curriculum offers opportunities not found in most districts – specifically, an extensive technical/industrial arts or pre-engineering program, an exceptional art and music program, and a nationally recognized advanced placement program.

11.   Where do you think North Hills School District will be 4 years from now?  How will you be instrumental in moving it in that direction?

     I believe that North Hills School District will continue to improve academically and will have the premier K-12 on-line academy in Pennsylvania.  I foresee more National Merit Scholars and the district continuing to appear on the Newsweek list of top 1500 schools.  My role will be to assure the fiscal viability of the district and to provide the Administration, faculty, and staff with support, encouragement, and recognition of their efforts. 

Spotlight on Tom Baker - North Hills School Board

1.      Please provide our readers with a brief paragraph introducing yourself that provides them with a snapshot of your background.

     My name is Tom Baker and I serve as the Vice President of Programs for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh. In this role at BBBS, I manage a 14 member program staff. Our team serves over 1,150 big/little matches annually. I also coordinate our Young Professional Outreach Board, Male Recruitment Advisory Board, BIG Speakers Bureau, and conducts volunteer trainings. My own BBBS little brother, Preston, is a 2010 high school graduate and is attending Franklin and Marshall College. Locally, I serve on the Board of Directors of North Hills Community Outreach and the Baierl Family YMCA. I am also the President of Baker Leadership, author of Get Involved! Making the Most of Your 20s and 30s and Get Involved! Give Our Passion, voice of The Best of Get Involved! audiobooks, moderate the monthly Get Involved! Power Hour series in Pittsburgh, facilitate the Fast Track Pittsburgh Service and Leadership program, and am founder of the annual Get Involved! Pittsburgh Service Summit. All of my Get Involved! efforts are a direct attempt to inspire and educate others to make a difference and become leaders in the region. Since February 2008, I have spoken with over 15,000 students, young professionals, and community leaders at 115 colleges, corporations, professionals associations, and civic groups. Currently, I serve as President of the Pittsburgh East Rotary Club. My wife of seven years, Erin, and I are proud to call the North Hills home and live in Ross Township.

2.      What qualifications and skills will you bring to this position?  For incumbents, please do not reference the number of years you have served in office as a qualification.

     I have two degrees in Education which bring a background useful to serving on the School Board. I was Student Body President while earning my Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Millersville University and served as President of the Associates for Student Development during my graduate studies in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Indiana University of PA. Being a lifelong learner is important to me and I am also a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh LDI Class XV, Coro Pittsburgh’s Emerging Leaders in Public Affairs, and Duquesne University’s Leadership Academy. Through my professional role as Vice President of Programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters I work diligently with students and staff every day to provide quality opportunities to children. As a professional speaker who is able to travel all over the country through Get Involved! I also have had a chance to see how educational institutions operate and empower students in dozens of others cities.

3.      Why do you seek this elected office?

     I truly believe that I can make a positive difference. As a School Board member, I plan to play an important role in providing students from Ross Township and West View with a top notch educational experience that will prepare them for future success. Working collaboratively with the North Hills School District administration to ensure that students are provided with opportunities to excel both within and outside of the classroom will be a priority, if elected. As a school board member, I will serve all parents, students, and constituents with the respect that they deserve as taxpayers in the community.

4.      What do you think is the most important issue facing North Hills School District in the coming years?  How do you plan to address it?

     I really do think that increased taxation can threaten our sustaining population and potential growth in the North Hills. While I would never make a decision to limit the potential of students to learn, I do think that there are ways that we can think creatively to ensure that taxes do not increase significantly in the next four years for families in Ross Township and West View. Anytime that there is a major change in leadership it provides a time for change, which can either be positive or negative. With the retirement of our superintendent and the early retirements of 29 teachers in the district, there definitely will be new faces guiding and educating students. The PSSA reading, writing, math, and science figures from recent years showcase that the district exceeds all of the measurable targets set by the PA Department of Education. Ensuring that students continue to be adequately prepared for a successful future will be a main focus for the next four years. I am impressed with the already inspiring 95% of high school students who are proficient or advanced in the important skill of writing. Recent figures have also showed promising results from students in their SAT scores and Advanced Placement tests. Overall, the North Hills School District is moving in a positive direction. We need to ensure as a school board and school district that this success continues.

5.      If elected, what single change will your try to make to North Hills School District?  Why this change?

     Keeping our tax burden for local residents manageable is vital. Beyond that, I am hopeful to provide the district with a new voice that will inspire students at all levels to become engaged outside of the classroom. I truly believe in the power of the co-curriculum and am a firm believer that students can learn a great deal through their extra-curricular efforts and experiences. Ensuring that students are aware of enrichment programs and ways to get involved through collaborating with the administration, teachers, and parents will be a priority. 

6.      How are you different from your opponent(s)?

     Having a Bachelors and Masters degree in Education will provide me with a solid background when making decisions as a board member. I also make decisions every day that influence the lives of over 1,150 students through my professional work at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh. We manage 22 site based programs in schools all over Allegheny, Washington, and Greene counties. I also will bring a collaborative approach and really enjoy working with people. I am not running for the school board to engage in infighting or petty bickering. I truly want to help provide excellent opportunities for students in Ross Township and West View.

7.      For incumbents, what is one decision that you have made in your role as North Hills School board member that you regret?  What would you have done differently and why? 

 n/a

8.      For new candidates, what is one decision that you feel North Hills School Board has made that had a negative impact?  What would you have done differently and why?  What is one decision the North Hills School District has made that had a positive impact and why?

     While our taxes are lower than 75% of our fellow suburban communities in Allegheny County, there still have been increases in the tax burden on residents in the North Hills in recent years. I especially worry about seniors living on a fixed income and how increased taxes threaten their livelihood. Even though the school consolidation decision and process was certainly not flawless, I do give the board credit for being willing to consolidate services. Had consolidation been taken off the table and not implemented, the current budget process would be even far more difficult. These are tough economic times for educational institutions and non-profit organizations. Every day, I make decisions to help support the 1,150 children that my program oversees at Big Brothers Big Sisters. I see first hand through my work what the climate within the state and federal government means to school systems and community organizations and know that this is a time in which leaders will have to think outside of the box from time to time to ensure success for our students.  

9.      Why do you live within the North Hills School District?

     My wife, Erin, and I really enjoy living in the North Hills. Having a strong school district definitely was important in our decision to live and stay here in Ross Township. We also are fond of McKnight Road (minus the holiday traffic) and the restaurants and stores in our community. I have also really enjoyed my time serving on two local non-profit boards, North Hills Community Outreach and the Baierl Family YMCA.  

10.   What is the best part about North Hills School District?

     The history of the district and the excellent opportunities that exist for students to succeed. It is also quite obvious that the parents, teachers, and administration are fully committed to seeing students grow and develop both inside and outside of the classroom.

11.   Where do you think North Hills School District will be 4 years from now?  How will you be instrumental in moving it in that direction?

     My sincere hope is that the North Hills School District will still be among the top ten for lowest taxes among the suburban district in Allegheny County. I also hope that the percentage of students proficient in writing, SAT score figures, and AP test success rates continue to increase. Overall, I hope to see an increased passion from the students, administration, teachers, and parents in the district with regards to service and community. Empowering, educating, and inspiring others is a big part of what I do through my role at BBBS and in my Get Involved! initiatives. By providing a positive and optimistic voice on our school board I feel strongly that I can help our students to succeed in the North Hills School District.

Spotlight on Lou Krummert - North Hills School Board

1.      Please provide our readers with a brief paragraph introducing yourself that provides them with a snapshot of your background.

Hi.  My name is Lou Krummert and I have lived in Ross Township my whole life.  I graduated from North Hill in the class of 1999, and have two Brothers Matt Krummert class of 2001, and Brian Krummert class of 2007.   Both my parents are also products of North Hills, my father Lou Krummert Sr. was in the class of 1972, and mother Karen (Killmeyer) class of 1975.  I grew up near Fairview Fire Dept. on Clearview road.  I currently work at BNY Mellon as a performance analyst, and will have worked there 6 years this fall.  I have degree from Robert Morris University in Finance/Economics, and also a Masters in management from Point Park University.  Finally, I am the VP of the Ross Township sportsman’s association.

2.      What qualifications and skills will you bring to this position?  For incumbents, please do not reference the number of years you have served in office as a qualification.

My background in Finance will help led the school district during these tough economic times.  I am also peoples’ person, meaning I spend more time listening to the tax payers concerns than telling them how smart I am.  In the end the teachers, and parents know best when it comes to coming up with good ideas for the North Hills School District, and not the politicians.

3.      Why do you seek this elected office?

The simple answer is to give back to the community that made me who I am today, and for that I am forever grateful.  So many teachers, parents, friends, and family made me who I am today.  For example, Mr. Wilkie (cross country and track coach for North Hills) affected my life in so many ways.  He taught me that cross country is a lot like life.  The harder you work the better the results, and he was right (I will never forgot that statement).  Participating in sports taught me how hard work, discipline, teamwork, and never giving up no matter how tough life gets.  I not only have the time to run for school board, I also the energy to give back.

4.      What do you think is the most important issue facing North Hills School District in the coming years?  How do you plan to address it?

Two words “Budget Shortfall”.  It’s easy to slash spending when the tough gets going.  Unfortunately the kids will pay ultimate price in the end.  You can judge any community by the strength of the school district.  I want to make sure North Hills School District remains one of the best High Schools in the state.  Dealing with the budget shortfall (left by the state) will be a combination of eliminating wasteful spending, and small tax increases.  Think about it, we could keep taxes so low that everyone would be happy in the short-run, but when our kids graduate they will not have the skills they need to compete in not only a local market place, but a global market place.  If test scores fall, less people would want to buy a house in Ross Township or West View, and the result would be plummeting property values (the old saying is true “you get what you pay for”).  That said, I will not simply vote yes on everything either.  There is a ton of wasteful spending (especially at the administration level) and my background in accounting and finance will allow me to cut wasteful spending out of the budget. 

5.      If elected, what single change will your try to make to North Hills School District?  Why this change?

Better technology for our kids would be my first goal.  If you look at the changing economy and how we went from computers the size of houses down to being able to hold them into the palm our your hand demonstrates the power of information systems.  If the kids do not have better technological training they will be behind their peers in college, and more importantly the workforce.

6.      How are you different from your opponent(s)?

I am different from my opponents in one way that distances me from the field.  I listen to people when they talk.  The parents and teachers are on the front lines of the day to day issues of the school district.  I want to hear from them on how they feel things should be improved.  It’s the same as the front line workers of a business, they know way more about the day to day operations than the big shots at the top.  Same with the school district, parents and teachers have way better ideas than the current school board, and all current school board has to do is listen (but unfortunately that’s not always the case).  Currently the school board puts problems into the hands of committees (which is a nice way of a politician telling you they don’t care).  For example, there were plenty of parents upset about a letter sent out to them about healthy foods.  Some parents took it personal saying they know how to feed their children (and I agree with them).  What did the school board do about this problem? Nothing! They did absolutely nothing, but putting it into the hands of the committee for further discussion.  Some of the school board members were blaming the food service provider saying they know nothing about the letter?  If that’s the case then shame on the school board as they should have known about the letter. 

7.      For incumbents, what is one decision that you have made in your role as North Hills School board member that you regret?  What would you have done differently and why?

I am a challenger.

8.      For new candidates, what is one decision that you feel North Hills School Board has made that had a negative impact?  What would you have done differently and why?  What is one decision the North Hills School District has made that had a positive impact and why?

Closing three elementary schools with very little thought put into the decision was a big mistake.  It was rammed through by the administration even though so many parents were upset.  There should have been more discussion before the matter was voted on.  Shame on the incumbent’s that voted for the school closings.  I would have listened to the taxpayers.  Remember, the long-term goal of any school district is to make sure their kids can compete in a global economy.  Jamming kids from 7 schools into 4 is not the best way to achieve that goal.  I agree that some of the elementary schools needed closed but not all three.  It should have been done over a ten year period and not a four year period.

9.      Why do you live within the North Hills School District?

I lived here my whole life (31 years), I went to school here, learned how to drive a car here, went on my first date here, and have meet so many great people here.  It’s a great community to live, the people are friendly, and it’s a great location.  Where only minutes away from the city, great universities to send our kids when they graduate, great sports to watch (Go Pens!), and some of the best hospitals in the world call Pittsburgh home (and so do I). 

10.   What is the best part about North Hills School District?

The people are by far the best part.  This being my second time around running for school board I have been door knocking a great deal.  People have told me so many things about them and their passion for the community they call home.  Everyone and I mean everyone wants North Hills to remain strong for years to come.  That has touched me so much that I would never live anywhere else.

11.   Where do you think North Hills School District will be 4 years from now?  How will you be instrumental in moving it in that direction?

The North Hills School District will be one of the best schools the state.  The trend of the PSSA scores falling over the last four years will move in the opposite direction.  A great school district at a reasonable cost to the taxpayers is what most people are looking for.  I want to deliver that to each and every tax payer in the North Hills School District.