The following is from the Tribune Review (05/20/09)
Tuesday was a good night for incumbents in the Penn-Trafford school board race.
Larry A. Harrison captured the nod in Region 1 by a narrow margin over former long-term school director Sallie Bradley. P. Jay Tray won the most votes on both the Democratic and Republican tickets in Region 2.
According to unofficial results in the primary, Harrison edged Bradley in Region 1 with 50.2 percent of the vote to Bradley's 49.8 on the Democratic ticket. Harrison collected 411 votes on the Republican ticket. Bradley, who was filed only on the Democratic ballot, served on the board for 20 years until 2007.
Harrison, 67, feels the vote is an affirmation of the job he's done for the past two years .
"I tried to be fair-minded in what is best for the students and what is reasonable for the residents of the Penn-Trafford School District," Harrison said. "I'm pleased a number of people think I've been trying to do the job for the people."
There are two spots open in Region 2, and Tray topped the Democratic ticket with 39.3 percent of the vote, followed by Rose Ann Pfeiffer with 32.1 percent and Rich Niemiec with 28.6. While Tray and Pfeiffer garnered the Democratic nomination for the general election, it will be Tray, 62, and Niemiec, 51, on the Republican ticket. Tray won 55 percent of the vote, with Niemiec at 45 percent.
"I'm very pleased," Tray said. "It's a good indicator that hopefully people think I'm trying to do the right thing and hopefully have some faith in my long-term decision making. I'm very excited."
In Region 3, Toni Ising, 52, was cross-filed as the lone candidate on each ticket and will be elected to the board barring a successful write-in campaign in the general election. She received 431 Democratic votes and 450 Republican votes.
May 20 2009
Meet the Candidates
This article is from the PT Star (5/7/09)
Two newcomers and an incumbent are seeking two two-year terms on the Penn-Trafford School Board in Region 2.
Newcomer Rose Ann Pfeiffer is on the Democratic ticket, while newcomer Rich Niemiec and incumbent P. Jay Tray are crossfiled.
It's possible all three could win party nominations or Niemiec and Tray could get both party nominations on each ticket.
Region 2 includes Penn Borough, Claridge, Bushy Run and the Grandview areas of the district. Rich Niemiec
Age: 51
Education: Graduated from the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center.
Background: Niemiec is a facility maintenance mechanic at Owens & Minor Inc. in Greensburg. He has been involved with the school district's strategic planning committee and its technology committee.
A regular audience member at school board meetings, Niemiec said he hopes to start going as a board member.
"We're losing a good man in John Willforth, and I've been sitting back and learning the ropes," Niemiec said. "I've been sitting back, watching and complaining, and I felt it was time to jump in and do something."
Niemiec said he thinks its time for some new faces to be on the board.
"I'd like to see a board that's more open and responsive," he said. "A lot of things are done behind closed doors.
"I'd only be one person on a board of nine, but some people have been set in their ways. We need some fresh blood in there. Getting another one or two people would be a step in the right direction."
Niemiec said his background with facility maintenance would come in handy when dealing with the district's old buildings.
"There's always talk of updating facilities, and a lot of money goes into maintenance and facilities," he said. "That's my niche. If a facility is maintained correctly, it lasts a long time." Rose Ann Pfeiffer
Age: 72
Education: Took classes at Westmoreland County Community College and Duquesne University.
Background: Pfeiffer is a retired product tester for Silver Star who babysits her grandchildren. She has coached softball in Penn Township and volunteered with the Penn Township Fall Festival.
This is Pfeiffer's third time running for school board. She said she wants to make a difference in the school system and open the communication between students, parents and the community.
"I've always been interested in working with my community and getting involved with kids," Pfeiffer said. "I think we need to start listening to the kids."
Pfeiffer said she likes how the community and students are getting collaborating through the district's DARE and senior citizen volunteer programs, but she said more can be done.
"Kids are involved in a lot of sports, but we can also take them to nursing homes for visits and things like that," Pfeiffer said. "They can pick up trash or find other aggressive things to do."
Pfeiffer said she also hopes to seek grants for materials and books.
"If you don't have an education, you're not going anywhere these days," she said.
Pfeiffer said she has the time to devote to school board and the community.
"I'll do the best job I can do," she said. "I'm a good listener, and my phone is always open to anyone."
Pfeiffer declined to submit a headshot photo. P. Jay Tray
Age: 61
Education: Doctorate in Educational Leadership from West Virginia University. Tray also has his superintendent and principal certification.
Background: Tray held the positions of assistant principal, principal and assistant to the superintendent at Penn-Trafford. He also was a science teacher in Norwin for 11 years. A retired Marines colonel, he is a volunteer track and golf coach at Penn-Trafford.
Tray is finishing his first two-year term as a school director, and there's more to do, he said.
"Education has been my career," Tray said. "I've enjoyed it."
Tray said his experiences in Penn-Trafford have made him a well-rounded candidate.
"I've covered everything in the district, so I know I'm knowledgeable," he said. "I've done everything except be the superintendent, and I'd like to continue making a contribution to keep us going in the right direction. It has been a lifetime vocation for me."
Like Niemiec, Tray said the board should to focus on the district's school buildings.
"We have to do some soul searching for consolidation," he said "The buildings are well-maintained, but they are old and it's showing. It's a big process, and we are facing that."
Tray said he is happy with the district's technology status and individualized instruction.
"We have a good group of people making fair and just decisions. We do so many things well, such as individualized instruction. We're balancing to bring up students who aren't as strong.
"The technology program is right up there with everyone else."
Tray said being a good leader is about being fair.
"I attempt to make fair decisions that will work for the children and the taxpayers to create a balance," he said.
