Voters in Region 2 in the Seneca Valley School District will select one of two school board candidates on their ballots in the May 16 primary election.

Region 2 represents those who live in the Cranberry West I and II precincts.

The seat was held for two terms by Jim Nickel.

Both candidates in the primary, Kari Zimmer and Kayla Burgert, have cross-filed and will run under the Republican and Democratic tickets.

Zimmer previously taught third-grade students in Northern Virginia before becoming a stay-at-home mom to three children.

Zimmer said she is running because she is a firm believer in public service.

She served as a scouting den mother, active member of the Parent-Teacher Organization at Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School, judge of elections for the county Elections Bureau, and other volunteer positions.

“When I learned the school board position would be vacant, it felt like a logical progression and path,” Zimmer said. “It melds my passion for education and children with my proven leadership and desire to give back to my community.”

Zimmer’s top goal, if elected, would be to build upon the partnerships between the school district and its stakeholders.

“As a school board member, I will establish effective and responsive communication with my constituents and listen to and examine diverse opinions,” she said.

Her other goals are expanding educational opportunities and strengthening the foundational skills in the district’s elementary schools, especially in reading and math.

Zimmer finds one of the most pressing issues in the district is the effect on students of social media, cellphone usage and access to technology.

Other issues in the district Zimmer would like to tackle are providing quality instruction and physical facilities while maintaining fiscal responsibility, plus mental health and safety.

On the statewide issue of teacher shortages, Zimmer points to college accessibility, low pay compared to other jobs that require a four-year degree, increasing workload and decreasing respect of teachers as barriers to finding enough educators in Pennsylvania’s school districts.

To combat the shortage, Zimmer supports encouraging education as a career in high school, tuition assistance for graduates who stay in-state to teach, and full funding of public schools.

Regarding the projected growth at Seneca Valley, Zimmer said a recent demographic study projects the district’s student population will increase by nearly 700 students in the next decade.

“SV currently has a strong relationship with our district communities, and I would support that partnership so we are constantly aware of additional housing that is being approved and built,” she said.

Zimmer’s opponent, Kayla Burgert, also is an educator, having worked as an adjunct professor, most recently at La Roche University.

Burgert became involved with the school board last year, when redistricting of students necessitated by the construction of Ehrman Crest Elementary/Middle School was approved.

After analyzing the data, collecting signatures, contacting demographers and speaking at school board meetings about the “nonsensical” district zones, the school board voted to rezone her neighborhood.

“Throughout this process, I learned how the school board works,” Burgert said. “I thought ‘I would be good at that.’”

Burgert’s goals, if elected, would be to contribute to the district’s “remarkable record of success,” as well as approving a budget that best uses resources and meets the instructional needs of students without raising taxes.

She also wants to keep students on the path to success through career and college readiness, focus on long-term fiscal planning, and focus on retaining teachers and staff.

Regarding issues in the district, Burgert points to safety, growth management and building partnerships as the top three.

“I want to see better protocols in place for emergency situations and close the gap with districtwide training,” she said of safety at Seneca Valley. “I want to expand our security team and continue to build the partnerships with our local police departments.”

Burgert also cited the demographics study commissioned by the district last year when discussing growth at Seneca Valley.

“Important issues that must be discussed concerning this growth are keeping class sizes small, prioritizing building development, emphasizing teacher recruitment, and enticing bus drivers to join the Seneca Valley team,” she said.

Regarding the statewide teacher shortage, Burgert said research has shown that the number of teachers in Pennsylvania has dropped by about two-thirds in the past decade.

“Seneca Valley also has an extra concern with teacher recruitment because of our projected growth and because there has been a demand for a move towards full-day kindergarten in the district,” Burgert said.

She said the district should focus on attracting and retaining teachers by offering competitive pay, developing partnerships with teacher preparation programs, offering mentorships, and listening to teachers.