Peters Township School Board: Lynn Erenberg and Ronald A. Dunleavy

Seven candidates are racing for five school board seats, two of whom are Lynn Erenberg and Ronald A. Dunleavy. All candidates running for school board have cross-filed on Republican and Democrat tickets.

Note: This is the first of a series of candidate interviews.

Lynn Erenberg

• Received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Edinboro University
• Married with two boys attending Peters Township High School
• Has lived in Peters for 18 years 
• Has served on the school board as chairperson of the education committee for four years
• Worked for two major airlines for 17 years in several divisions — one of which was flight attendant training involving development, writing and teaching programs mandated by the FAA
• Has dedicated time to volunteering in the school district

What is motivating you to run a second term?

I feel like I’ve made substantial contributions with my involvement in the district over the last 11 years, as well as my involvement in the community. I also have somewhat of a background in instruction. After four years, the knowledge that I’ve accumulated throughout my experience will be beneficial to serving another term, making wise decisions for taxpayers and our children.

What is the board's biggest issue? 

The budget has been a topic with the board, especially since we’re in our planning stages for next year. We just received the governor's proposed budget — , which we typically would receive. At the same time, we’re faced with improving facilities. Our student population has grown, and our issue would be trying to find a good balance of improving our facilities, but staying within a budget that doesn't harm our taxpayers. 

Assuming you win, what would you like to accomplish during your term? 

I hope to continue to improve the quality of education, and maintain high standards that the township has maintained. I want to continue to make educated decisions and work cohesively with my fellow board members, as well as the administration. I would like to help our students achieve their goals and prepare them for their future endeavors. 

At this time, what are the strengths and weaknesses of the district? 

We have involved parents communicating with the board with what they feel is working for their children and what could be done better or differently, and as board members or future board members, we have open door policies as far as communication goes. We're always open to suggestions and interactions with our parents, which enhances good decision making. 

I don’t see any blatant weaknesses at this time, but we can always try to improve what we do as a board and what we offer to our children and families. We can never be complacent or leave our district at status quo, even though I believe we run at high standards already.

Sidenote: 

I'm extremely pleased that Ron (Dunleavy) has decided to go to the next level and pursue a seat on the board — his knowledge is valuable after putting five children through the district, and having always been involved with both the district and the board. I just hope to see our future board for 2012 be a cohesive unit of nine. We will always agree to disagree. Hopefully, our new board member will bring something to our board room that we can benefit from.

Ronald A. Dunleavy

• Graduated from Washington D.C. Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee School — trained and certified as an electrician in Washington D.C, Virginia and Pittsburgh
• Currently an electrical project manager for a local electrical contractor
• Moved home from living in Washington D.C. for 10 years to put his five children through the district — has two in college, a senior at Peters Township High School and twins in eighth grade at the middle school
• Married for 25 years
• Hopes to use his project management skills to contribute to the community on the board

What is motivating you to run?

Several years ago, I came to the board because of a concern of air quality in the pool. They fixed the issue and I got hooked on the school board — the process worked for me. For the last three years, I’ve attended meetings and filmed them for the community to see. A respected board member decided not to run again, so I decided to see how I could contribute.

What is the board's biggest issue? 

I see the biggest issue as the budget – the of our budget. Also, we are limited to the amount of tax that could be raised, and the costs actually run about three percent a year. So coupled with the budget, we're trying to keep our expenditures down. We need to basically do more with less in order to stay in budget. 

Assuming you win, what would you like to accomplish during your term? 

To have a contributing role in the future and building plans for the administration. And, to possibly encourage more community participation in the board through additional volunteer committees. 

At this time, what are the strengths and weaknesses of the district?

It's just a matter of strengthening what we have now; there's always room for improvement. We have a wonderful community here, and as they get involved in the process, there’s a lot to be contributed in the success of the township. 

Sidenote: 

I’m not running on making change, I’m running on strengthening what we have. 

Read our full list of municipal election candidates for the May 17 primaries . Also, if you haven't registered to vote, you must do so by April 18. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of State's online voting information and resource center website for more information.