Voters in the Deer Lakes School District have many options to choose from when considering their next school board members in Tuesday’s primary.
There are seven candidates in the running for four open seats. All are cross-filed.
There are four incumbents, Eric Bieniek, Jeremy Love, Jonathan Majernik and Kristi Minnick, and three newcomers, Dominic Distillo, Darlene Lutty and Jon Sherman.
What all the candidates seemingly agree upon is the need to bolster finances.
Erick Bieniek, 47, is vying for his second full term. The West Deer resident has three children in the district, two in high school and one in middle school.
He said it is important for him to represent the community.
“I’m really just trying to be the voice of the community for our administrators so that we can continue to move in the direction we are,” Bieniek said. “I think, in comparison to where we were 10 years ago, we are headed in a better direction as a district.”
Bieniek said finances are tight, but it’s important to include teachers in the conversations of what they need or don’t need.
Dominic Distilo, 43, of West Deer is the father of a first grader and a third grader. He also serves as a football and baseball coach.
Distilo has not held any other political positions. He chose to run because he wants to be a positive influence on children in the district.
“Some kids have it pretty tough in our area. If there is anything I can do to help a kid, I want to be part of that.” Distilo said. “I just want to bring a nonpolitical approach to make sure that we are doing the right things by the kids, teachers and taxpayers.”
Jeremy Love, 49, of West Deer is seeking reelection because he still has work to do.
“I have kids in the district, nieces and nephews,” Love said. “I want to make sure that this district continues to head in the right direction.”
Love calls Deer Lakes a hidden gem but recognizes the concerns regarding finances and the economic downturn.
He recently received board approval to begin a committee that would “start looking at different revenue streams to help out the teachers through grants and scholarships and invite the involvement of all three townships.”
Darlene Lutty, 55, of West Deer brings her passion for education and a skill set in one-on-one teaching to her candidacy. She has worked at Huntington Learning Center.
“My grandkids will be the third generation in Deer Lakes. I have two grandkids who are 1 and 4 years old. I think my background will help a lot,” Lutty said.
“I am aware of helping kids determine exactly where they are at with their academic skills. I would see test scores soar,” Lutty said. “I was in charge of the SAT. Just having that one-on-one instruction, I could guarantee a score increase of 200 points.”
She plans to work alongside Love on the new committee to help increase revenue for the district.
Incumbent Jonathan Majernik, 45, of West Deer wants to continue to be a positive force in the community. Majernik, a father of three, said the education his children are receiving is top-notch.
“I’ve learned so much over the past four years, and still have much to learn. I think it takes nearly an entire term to fully appreciate the role of a school board director. My job isn’t done,” he said.
He continued: “We have to keep up this momentum. A strong education for all of our students is my priority.”
Majernik believes Deer Lakes is poised for growth. As a result, he said, it’s important for the school board to work in collaboration with the townships.
Kristi Minnick, 56, of West Deer has served on the school board for the past eight years. Her desire to be reelected comes from her deep passion for the community and kids.
“We have seen so much growth in the Deer Lakes School District in the last seven or eight years. … That is a testament to the administration, kids, parents and maintenance staff. There have been such great improvements, but we still have work to get done,” Minnick said.
She is proud of the work of the school district and its partnerships.
“A.W. Beattie is incredible, and it provides kids with a path to start their career right out of high school. It’s really about being able to take the foundation we have built and move from good to great.”.
Jon Sherman, 54, of East Deer is a newcomer. His children and grandchildren are his passions.
“I just wanted to make sure that I am doing my part to ensure the students of our district are getting a quality education and becoming well-formed citizens of our area.”
His pillars are transparency, efficiency and accountability.
“I think the hesitancy to make the board meeting videos available to the public is not transparent,” he said. “As they are working on it, it is perceived as a delay.”
Making sure that tax dollars are being used efficiently and for the best interest of the community is important, he said.
