Six run for four seats on Penn Cambria board

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May 7, 2009

By KATHY MELLOTT The Tribune-Democrat Thu May 07, 2009, 11:52 PM EDT

CRESSON — Four incumbents and two challengers who waged unsuccessful campaigns for school board directorships two years ago are vying for the four seats up for election in Penn Cambria School District.

Seeking re-election are Henry Nileski, Patrick Albright Sr., Patricia Pyo and Terry Krug.

Cynthia Acker and Guy Monica are hoping voters will give them more consideration in their second campaigns.

All six have cross-filed, so their names will appear on Democratic and Republican ballots in the primary.

The four at-large seats are for four-year terms.

Nileski, 68, is semi-retired but continues to play a role in the operation of H. Nileski Trucking of Cresson.

Completing his first four-year term on the board, Nileski said he has worked hard at restoring an emphasis on the arts and music in the district, some of which was lost under past administrations.

He is equally pleased with the students’ tests scores, which continue to improve.

But his emphasis continues to be a tight fist on the purse strings.

“I’m probably known as the cheapskate on the board, but Penn Cambria is made up of a lot of senior citizens, and an extra $40 or $50 a year can be a lot of money to some,” he said.

Albright, also completing his first four-year term, said the students are his primary motivation for serving.

“It’s about the students, that’s all it is about,” he said.

Albright, 65, of Cresson, retired six years ago after spending 37 years in the classroom as a biology teacher at Penn Cambria High School.

“I’ve learned a lot, but I think I’ve also brought a perspective of a classroom teacher to my fellow board members,” Albright said.

“It’s important to keep classroom size down, and nothing else is as important as what that teacher is teaching in the classroom.”

Another longtime Penn Cambria educator, Guy Monica of Allegheny Township, is hoping to achieve his first term.

“As with a business where it’s location, location, location, I feel education should be about students, students, students,” said Monica, 60, who retired in 2007 after working 37 years as a teacher, guidance counselor and in administration.

Monica said he is concerned about the emphasis placed on test scores and thinks the concern needs to be about the kids.

“I don’t see any reason to raise taxes. There is adequate revenue, other areas we could save money and not teachers’ salaries,” he said. “We need to find ways to make people more productive.”

Acker, of Munster Township, said her education and business background have equipped her to serve on the board.

“I think I would be an asset to the district,” she said.

“We need to do what is best for the students.”

Acker, who declined to give her age, is a teacher at St. Patrick’s school in Newry.

Seeking a second term on the board is Krug, 48, of Allegheny Township, a superintendent at S.P. McCarl & Co., Altoona. He could not be reached for comment.

Pyo, 62, of Cresson Township, a comptroller at the Franciscan Fathers, Hollidaysburg, is seeking a sixth term on the board. She could not be reached for comment.

The district covers the boroughs of Ashville, Cresson, Gallitzin, Lilly, Loretto, Sankertown and part of Tunnelhill and the townships of Allegheny, Cresson, Dean, Gallitzin, Munster and Washington.

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