6 candidates vying for 4 McKeesport Area school board seats

There are four, four-year seats up for grabs in Tuesday’s election.

Six candidates are seeking one of four open seats on the McKeesport Area School Board, including one who is launching a write-in campaign.

Seeking reelection on Tuesday are incumbents David Donato, Matthew Holtzman and Josh Lefcowitz, who decided to run a write-in campaign. The newcomers are Arla Payne, Kevin Kovach and Bob Boyle.

Donato, Holtzman and Kovach won both the Democratic and Republican nominations in the spring. Payne won a Democratic nomination and Boyle secured a GOP nod.

The Mon Valley Independent reached out to each candidate with the same questions for this story. Holtzman did not respond to requests for comment.

Each board position lasts for four years.

Boyle

Bob Boyle

Boyle, a resident of White Oak for 24 years, is the current chief of police and director of safety and security for the West Mifflin Area School District. He was also a former police chief for the

McKeesport Area School District. If elected, Boyle said his priorities would be school safety for students and teachers, academic excellence and accountability, and the retention of teachers and staff.

“I was appointed the first police chief at the McKeesport Area School District,” Boyle said. “During my years of service at the district, I was afforded the opportunity to be in the schools daily. This allowed me to observe the day-to-day operations in person.”

Donato

David Donato

Donato is one of the longest-serving directors on the current board, and he hopes to continue his public service if reelected. Previously, Donato served as recreation director for the City of McKeesport and former deputy director of Allegheny County Parks and Recreation.

If reelected, his top three priorities would be to work on student test scores, reduce the dropout rate in the district, and work on structural improvements at the high school.

“My interest has always been in young people and what they are doing, and education is an uncompensated position as a school board member, and I couldn’t be prouder of my school district, and hopefully, what I can do on behalf of the kids,” Donato said.

Kovach

Kovach is a McKeesport firefighter and has been a lifelong resident of the city. Kovach has also coached multiple sports throughout the district. Kovach said his priorities would be to expand

Kevin Kovach

the vocational school opportunities for students, improve the morale throughout the district by sharing positive things taking place, and improve the relationship between the board and the community.

“We work for the taxpayers; they are our bosses,” Kovach said. “I think that there needs to be a lot more positive interaction between members and members of the community, and respect has to go both ways. The community members shouldn’t be coming and yelling at the board, and the board shouldn’t be yelling back. It should be professional.”

Lefcowitz

Lefcowitz is a current school board member who was appointed to take over the spot of now state Rep. Dan Goughnour. Lefcowitz is doing a write-in campaign, meaning his name won’t be on the ballot, but district residents can write in his name.

Lefcowitz is a partner at Cohen and Co., an accounting and advisory firm, and said his experience in the financial sector could be an asset for the district.

Josh Lefcowitz

Lefcowitz said his priorities would be safety and security for everyone within the schools, working on the teachers’ contract to make it more attractive for potential teachers, and making major improvements to the high school.

“We’re losing good teachers who are going to other districts for more money, which is totally understandable,” Lefcowitz said.

“And you know, unfortunately, if you’re paying the lowest in town sometimes, you’re not going to attract the best talent. And that’s not to say that our teachers aren’t doing a great job, but it’s just a structure that is not set up for success.”

Payne

Payne is retired, but said she is a current notary public and paralegal.

She added that she used to be a foster parent and has fostered more than 70 children in the

Arla Payne

past. Payne said her priorities would be to work on special education within the district, ensuring the physical safety of students, and making sure students feel emotionally and psychologically safe in their schools.

“Special education doesn’t just provide help and support; it creates a caring environment that values diversity and unique qualities,” Payne said. “By giving personalized teaching and support to each student, special education ensures that every child is given the opportunity to succeed.”

Polls for Tuesday’s general election will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.