Incumbent, newcomer win seats on Slippery Rock school board
An incumbent and a newcomer claimed seats representing Region 1 on the Slippery Rock Area school board, according to unofficial election results Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Incumbent Mark Taylor, a Republican, secured another four-year term with 796 votes, or 42.73% of the vote.
Newcomer Kelly Lake, a cross-filed candidate, also earned a seat with 632 votes, or 33.92% of the vote.
Connor Scott, a Democratic candidate and newcomer, was not elected. Scott received 413 votes, or 22.17 % of the vote.
Taylor, a retired Army veteran who worked in the engineering field for 35 years, helped the district with various safety, construction and infrastructure projects. He detailed teacher availability and retention, health care costs, aging buildings and infrastructure as top issues for the district.
Lake, of Slippery Rock Township, is certified as a K-12 reading specialist and K-12 English as a second language specialist, and holds a doctorate in educational leadership and administration, along with four master’s degrees in education. Her 7-year-old son attends school in the district.
As a candidate, Lake’s focus was on integrating social-emotional learning, addressing teacher turnover, including student and teacher feedback in board meetings and maximizing financial resources for education.
