Gerke top vote-getter in school board race
Uniontown Area School District voters retained two incumbent school directors and chose two new people to serve a four-year term on the Uniontown Area School Board in Tuesday’s general election, according to unofficial vote totals. Challenger Thomas “Bill” Gerke was the top vote getter in the district, securing 3,002 votes. Incumbent William Rittenhouse Jr. came in second with 2,686 votes.
Challenger Tom McCracken placed third with 1,963 votes and incumbent Lloyd Williams followed close behind with 1,877 votes.
Challengers Susan S. Clay and Terry L. Dawson failed to be elected. Clay and Dawson trailed other candidates, gaining 1,765 and 1,852 votes, respectively.
The candidates were elected to serve a four-year term. Clay and Dawson appeared on the Democratic ticket only, while McCracken and Williams appeared on the Republican ticket only since they lost the opposite party’s nomination in the primary election.
All candidates voiced support for the current board’s plan to renovate Lafayette, Ben Franklin and the high school for around $50 million.
They also said they would consider using a state health care system for school employees, especially if it comes at a lower rate.
Rittenhouse was able to surpass accusations that he is benefiting from his position as school director this election, as alleged by Mitzie King-Nehls, daughter of former Uniontown school board member, Herbert King Sr., at a recent school board meeting.
During the next four years on the board, Rittenhouse said he plans to watch expenditures in order to control the district’s budget and prevent future tax increases. He favors merging transportation or special education services with another school district.
Gerke said he favors the countywide consolidation of school districts as proposed by state Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-South Union Twp., noting it would save the taxpayers money since it would reduce the number of superintendents and other administrative positions.
Williams did not favor a merger between the Uniontown Area and Laurel Highlands school districts, noting it would negatively affect students by doubling the size of graduating classes and giving fewer student athletes the chance to participate in sports).
He also favors consolidating bus runs between the two school districts.
McCracken said he would support an anti-nepotism policy banning board members from hiring their relatives, noting he has seen experienced substitute teacher bypassed in favor of hiring relatives) and believes either the county’s six school districts or the Uniontown Area and Laurel Highlands school districts should merge.
McCracken was also running as a candidate for Franklin Township supervisor. McCracken, the Republican candidate, appeared to have bested his opponent, Tim Franks, the Democratic candidate, by 58 votes. McCracken had said he would choose one post if elected to fill both posts.