There's a lot of experience among the seven candidates running for four open school board seats in the cash-strapped Pittston Area School District.
School officials say the district is in a $2 million hole as it tries to put together a budget for the 2013-14 school year.
In a cost-saving move, Superintendent Michael Garzella has asked the board to allow him to close the kindergarten center and shift those students to the elementary school. A public meeting to discuss the possibility in March elicited an emotional response from parents worried about the change. The board will vote on the decision in June.
Incumbents R. Kent Bratlee and Bruce Knick are running together with Marty Quinn and Rosanne Ricotta. Mr. Quinn is a 20-year veteran of the board who declined to seek re-election two years ago.
Mr. Knick drew unwanted attention last December after police arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
The slate is running on a wide range of issues, one of which is using a newly created cyberschool to try to recoup revenue to put toward the budget deficit.
The rising cost of property taxes is the most important issue for Marilyn Starna, another incumbent and a frequent swing vote on the board.
Wyoming Area Secondary Center Principal Vito Quaglia is also seeking a seat on the board in his home district and calls "trust" of the school board to use tax dollars responsibly the most important issue facing constituents.
Rounding out the seven-candidate field is John Adonizio. Mr. Quinn, Ms. Ricotta, Mr. Bratlee and Mr. Knick have cross-filed, while Mr. Adonizio, Mr. Quaglia and Ms. Starna are running as Democrats only.
Contact the writer: pcameron@citizensvoice.comR. Kent Bratlee
Age: 64
Residence: Avoca
Education: Luzerne County Community College
Employment: Retired
Experience: Previously served on school board before losing re-election, appointed to fill a seat on board last year when another member resigned.
Family: Wife, Alice; children, Nichole Okuniewski, Michael Bratlee.
Bruce Knick
Age: 43
Residence: Dupont
Education: High school diploma, business course at community college.
Employment: Pennsylvania game commissioner
Experience: One term on school board.
Family: Son, Bruce Jr.
Vito Quaglia
Age: 42
Residence: Ashley
Education: Bachelor's degree in English and history and master's degree in education from Wilkes University.
Employment: Wyoming Area Secondary Center principal.
Experience: Seven years of teaching experience, 12 years of experience as a principal.
Family: Wife, Joanne; children, Dominique, Vito and Sofia.
Marty Quinn
Age: N/A
Residence: Pittston
Education: High school diploma, some college courses.
Employment: Retired railroad worker.
Experience: More than 20 years on the Pittston Area School Board
Family: Wife, Barbara; children Mitch, Mike and Brian.
Rosanne Ricotta
Age: 52
Residence: Hughestown
Education: Bachelor's degree in sociology and social studies from Misericordia University.
Employment: Retired.
Experience: 36 years working for state
Family: Daughter of the late Rosaria and Salvatore Ricotta, youngest of seven sisters.
Marilyn Starna
Age: 58
Education: High school graduate, some college
Employment: Bank branch manager
Residence: Pittston Twp.
Experience: One term on school board, 26 years in banking industry.
Family: Husband, Robert; daughter, Leslie; grandchildren, Milania and Beau
*Editor's note: John Adonizio did not provide information.