22-05-2025
Mix of newcomers, incumbents move on in school board races
The primary election results of school board races in Cambria and Somerset counties featured a mix on incumbents and newcomers who were cross-filed on Democratic and Republican tickets moving on to the general election in November.
'I just feel blessed to be able to continue what I started,' Greater Johnstown School Board member Missy Spaugy said.
'I think we have some really good things going on right now.'
She advanced alongside fellow incumbents Edwin Mikesic and Michael Allen on the Democrat and Republican tickets for four-year seats, unofficial results show.
Newcomer Randy Lear also advanced on both ballots for that position.
Spaugy and Mikesic earned nods for two-year seats as well.
If elected in November, this will be Spaugy's second term on the board.
She said she's looking forward to all of the positive advancements in the district, and continuing to improve the school environment for students, staff and the community.
Northern Cambria School Board had a hotly contested race, with eight people running for four seats.
Unofficial results show school directors Danyelle Hoover and Jennifer Zeanchock will advance along with newcomers Sarah DeGol Wolfe and Christine Phillips.
Board member Michael Vasil also will move on in a two-year position.
Appointed members Thomas Rocco and Bob Westrick did not advance, and neither did challengers Jim Rocco and Wayne Krug.
'I just could not feel more blessed that our voters came out and spoke,' Hoover said of the results.
She ran again because she wants to be a strong student advocate, she said, and provide better representation to all Northern Cambria School District municipalities.
'I've served on the board for three and a half years, and if reelected, I'll continue working to make smart, transparent decisions that support student success both in and out of the classroom,' Hoover said.
One of her goals, she added, is to potentially create a policy to prevent immediate family members from serving on the board concurrently.
Those advancing in the North Star race in Somerset County were nearly split along party lines.
School directors Caitlin Fleegle, Kathleen Shaffer, Robbie Bloom and Cindy West are moving on to the November general election, along with newcomers Erin Lyn Maurer Maurer and Donna Matsko Schmitt, according to the unofficial results.
Board member Colleen DeLuca and candidates Bretta Felesky and Elissa Boyd did not get enough votes to advance.
Schmitt won a spot by one vote over West on the Democratic ballot in Region 1, with Maurer moving on over DeLuca and Felesky on the Democrat ticket in Region 2.
Bloom earned 71 votes and Shaffer took 130 for four-year spots on the Democrat ticket in Region 3, but the incumbents earned more votes on the Republican side overall.
West got 287 Republican votes for a four-year seat in Region 1, and Bloom collected 275 votes, Shaffer tallied 254 and Fleegle earned 186 votes in Region 3.
'It was a really great day,' Bloom said about his advancement.
He's running for a third four-year term and was initially appointed to fill a vacancy several years ago.
Bloom said he ran again because he'll soon have a child enrolled in the district.
'I want to create a good educational environment for her,' he said.
Bloom added that North Star is a good school and he wants to see that success continue.
Additionally, he considers himself a good fiscal conservative and wants to make sure the district's funds are managed judicially.
Somerset Area's primary contest concluded with three incumbents and two newcomers advancing, unofficial results show.
School board members Mark Weimer, Pete Putyrski and Emily Bare earned enough to move on on the Republican ticket alongside challengers Jim Summers and Jeremy Shockey.
Sizemore, Shockey and Baer also garnered enough votes to advance on the Democrat ballot.
School director Joseph Olsavsky will not move on.
Conemaugh Township Area School Board in Somerset County had four at-large positions open for the primaries with Forrest Griesheimer, Deanna Maurer, Earl E. Sleek II and Jeffrey Alesantrino moving on on the Democratic ticket.
On the Republican side, Marissa Bazyk, Deanna Maurer, Sleek and Alesantrino will advance to the November election.
In the Central Cambria School Board race in Cambria County, incumbents Paul Seymour and Jessica Lieb advanced on the Democratic and Republican tickets for their four-year positions, edging challenger Steve Shuagis from the race.
Newcomer Esther Gay-Primel pushed out board member Craig Gibsonon on both tickets for a four-year spot, netting 97 Democrat votes and 239 Republican votes.
School director Matthew Sinosky also advanced on both ballots for his unopposed four-year seat.
Joshua Byers is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5054. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh.
