UASD candidates discuss consolidation, anti-nepotism policy
Uniontown Area School Board incumbent Thomas “Bill” Gerke pauses before responding to question from the Herald-Standard editorial board during a recent candidate debate. Gerke is seeking the nod to run in the fall from Democrat and Republican voters.
Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Standard
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Don Rugola (left) and Lloyd Williams, candidates for school director in the Uniontown Area School District, discuss the issues facing the district.
Six candidates vying for a seat for Uniontown Area School Board agree that an anti-nepotism policy in the district may prevent the best candidate from being hired.
The candidates, who are seeking the four four-year seats in the May 21 primary to serve as school director in the district, recently spoke about their thoughts regarding an anti-nepotism policy and other issues when they appeared before the Herald-Standard editorial board for a question-and-answer session.
Each of the six candidates agreed that the best candidate for a job should be the person hired in the district — regardless of relationship to board members.
“They should not not get the job just because they are related or get the job just because they are related,” said Terry Dawson, who previously served as an appointed board member, but said he did not seek election in 2012 because of family commitments.
According to Lloyd Williams, who has served two terms and is the current transportation committee chairman on the board, school districts are required to follow the state code related to hiring, which requires directors to abstain from voting when family members are being considered for positions.
Dawson said he does believe in full disclosure and transparency when it comes to a board members relationship to a job candidate.
Don Rugola, who is seeking a first term on the board, said he would favor adopting a point system to make certain the best candidate is hired for the position.
The candidates also fielded a question about a proposal by state Rep. Timothy S. Mahoney, D-South Union Township, to consolidate school administrations in the county and electing one board to lead the schools.
Current board member Bill Rittenhouse said he is open to change.
However, he feels the consolidation would produce a $253 million district that may be a challenge to manage.
Williams and current board members Bill Gerke and Phillip Holt feel a shared resources approach among the Fayette County school districts may be a better option.
“It may be hard for people in Fayette County to swallow, including myself,” Gerke said.
Williams said he is doubtful there would be an actual cost savings and does not favor a proposed consolidation.
Dawson expressed his concern with how debt between districts would be distributed and how taxpayers would be fairly represented if districts were consolidated.
Rugola said he would like to weigh the feasibility of Mahoney’s proposal before considering his support.
All candidates have cross-filed to appear on the Democrat and Republican primary ballot and will likely appear on the ballot for school director in the November election.