SCHOOL DIRECTOR | Neshannock

Eight candidates are seeking five seats on the Neshannock Township school board. The terms are four years. The district consists of Neshannock Township. All candidates cross-filed on both the Democratic and Republican ballots. Candidates Gary Lynch, Jay Vitale and Michael Kirkwood did not respond to a Vindicator request for a candidate r & eacute;sum & eacute;. Candidates provided photographs. An * denotes an incumbent.
MARY JO COYNE
Age: 41
Home: 6 Saratoga Circle, New Castle
Employment: Homemaker
Education: New Castle High School graduate.
Family: Husband, John; three children.
Priority: To weigh each decision the board makes as to how it will affect the children and the Neshannock community. It is a small district, and most people stay informed on the board's decisions, whether they have children in the schools or not.
JOSEPH GIERLACH*
Age: 49
Home: 133 Shannon Drive, New Castle
Employment: First Energy, customer support specialist since 1979.
Education: Bachelor's in education, Slippery Rock University; Union High School graduate.
Family: Wife, Cheryl; one child
Priority: To see the completion of the on-time and under-budget elementary project.
KAREN L. HOUK*
Age: 55
Home: R.D. 1 McGary Road, New Wilmington
Employment: Retired educator; Lawrence County Area Vocational Technical School.
Education: Master's in education, University of Pittsburgh; bachelor's in business administration, Geneva College; Neshannock High School graduate.
Family: Husband, Roger; two children.
Priority: To expand course offerings in a fiscally responsible manner, such as through long-distance learning through the Internet or in cooperation with other area school districts.
JOHN B. DIETZ
Age: 48
Home: R.R. 5, New Castle
Employment: Children's dentist since 1980.
Education: Dental medicine degree, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine; bachelor's degree, Westminster College; Neshannock High School graduate.
Family: Wife, Nancy; two children.
Priority: We must balance academic, athletic and curricular programs to provide our students with a well-rounded education.
CHERYL KIMMEL
Age: 54
Home: R.D. 5, Mercer Road, New Castle.
Employment: Self-employed management information specialist.
Education: Master's in industrial and systems engineering, Ohio State University; bachelor's in engineering and mathematics, Case Western Reserve University.
Family: Husband, Tracy; two children.
Priority: To provide quality education to all Neshannock students, with state-of-the-art technology and teaching approaches so that each child may reach their maximum potential.