McKeesport Area school board changes leaders
David Seropian was chosen as president for 2026, with Jason Pavlecic as vice president.
The McKeesport Area school board changed its leadership and welcomed new members during Thursday’s meeting.
The meeting began with Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi swearing in two newly elected board members, Arla Payne and Kevin Kovach. He also swore in incumbents David Donato and Matthew Holtzman after their reelection in November.
Incumbent board President Mark Holtzman Sr. announced he would withdraw his name from consideration for the office for another year. After outlining some of the board’s accomplishments during his time as president, Holtzman endorsed David Seropian to become the new board president.
“I have no regrets sitting here on any decisions this board made in the last two years, none,” Holtzman said. “Many times, the right decision in this school district was not the popular one and I took the heat and I never wavered and I never will.
“I would like to say to my fellow board members, it’s been a hell of a ride. You’ve done a hell of a job. And it’s time for me to just sit back a little bit, enjoy all them grandkids, and get home and sit there and watch television with my wife at night instead of being on that phone.”
Sitting Vice President Diane Elias nominated Seropian, who was elected in a unanimous vote.
“I want to thank my friends and colleagues on the board for their support, especially the two newly elected members, Arla Payne and Kevin Kovach, who don’t even really even know me, but have placed their faith in me this evening with your support,” Seropian said. “So, I really appreciate that. I’m looking forward to working with you for the next couple of years and hearing your fresh ideas and recommendations for what you think should happen in this school district.”
Seropian also thanked Holtzman and Elias for their leadership during their time on the board as president and vice president.
In the contest for vice president, Elias nominated Jason Pavlecic, and Kovach nomi- nated Arla Payne.
Pavlecic won by a 6-3 margin, receiving votes from Elias, Mark and Matthew Holtzman, Matthew Keller, Seropian and himself. Payne received votes from Donato, Kovach and herself.
In other business:
• Next week the board will vote to potentially replace the artificial turf surface at the stadium with Vertex-Core 2.25-inch turf and alternatives 1, 2, 3 and 4, at a cost not to exceed $821,576.15.
