Introducing the candidates for the (BLANK) election. The following submissions are from a poll that the Knight Krier sent out. There will be a town hall meeting held Monday April 26 in the high school gym from 6:30 to 8:30. The meeting was mandatory sign up, to view you can go to the Norwin youtube page. Good luck to everyone who is running!

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Dawn Lewandowski

What position are you running for?

School Director 

Tell us a little about yourself. where are you from? What’s your occupation? Family?

I am a mother to 5 children and step mom to 3 children, 7 currently live with me. I grew up in Penn Hills, living in Hempfield for 10 years and now live in North Huntingdon. I have always had a love for animals since childhood and am a dog groomer.

What sparked your interest to run for the board?

I have many concerns with WHAT and HOW children in NORWIN are receiving an education. I am to ensure the youth of today is set up for success for the future.

What are some of your concerns among the District?

Budget, COVID protocols, health (mental & physical)/safety, curriculum, student learning, clubs, sports and any other activity. 

Please elaborate on the most important concern of yours that you would like to see improved?

Every child needs to be set up for success! I see NORWIN as a whole that can not afford to let even one child walk away not feeling validated or educated. Until that goal is reached I will always be an advocate for the children in this district.

Rate on a scale of 1-10 how you think the school handled the return to school with COVID 1 being very poorly 10 being exceptional.

3

What goals do you wish to accomplish if elected on to the board?

Because education is not a one size fits all, providing students with quality choices to meet their needs.

If you were stranded on a hot deserted island what are 3 things you would want to have with you?

Peace, love and happiness! It’s whatever human needs to not only survive but to thrive.

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Dana Barvinchak Williams

What position are you running for?

School Director

Tell us a little about yourself. where are you from? What’s your occupation? Family?

I grew up in the Penns Woods plan in North Huntingdon.  I went to Stewartsville Elementary and then graduated from Norwin in 1999.  I attended Duquesne University for my BA in Psychology and then the University of Pittsburgh for my MS in Applied Developmental Psychology.  I have been working in clinical research at either Pitt or UPMC since 2004.  I’m currently a Research Program Administrator where I manage a research team looking at depression and anxiety.  I moved back to the Norwin area with my husband and son in 2016.  We chose Norwin because I had so many fond memories here and really wanted that community vibe for our son.  My son attends Sunset Valley, but is currently enrolled in the Norwin Online Academy.

What sparked your interest to run for the board?

There is so much negativity and division in our community currently and I’d like to be involved to overcome these challenges so that we can give our students the best and brightest future that is possible.

What are some of your concerns among the District?

Covid protocols, health (mental & physical)/safety, inclusion/diversity, communication.

Please elaborate on the most important concern of yours that you would like to see improved?

I would like to see additional mental health resources added within the District, specifically increasing the number of school counselors at the elementary schools.  I would like to see an increase to the Social-Emotional learning that is provided and programs that are aimed at reducing/eliminating the mental health stigma.  In addition, I would like to see improvements in regard to inclusion/diversity.  Students should feel empowered that their voices ALWAYS matter.  All students should feel safe here and that their differences are embraced and not ridiculed.

Rate on a scale of 1-10 how you think the school handled the return to school with COVID 1 being very poorly 10 being exceptional.

4

What goals do you wish to accomplish if elected on to the board?

There are three core areas where I would like to see improvements: Physical and mental health – Improving resources that are available through the schools, reducing the stigma around mental health. Data driven, transparent decisions – Collect more data and be transparent as to how data drives decisions that are being made. Inclusion and diversity – Empower the voices of all and embrace differences, make Norwin a safe space for all to live, learn, and grow

If you were stranded on a hot deserted island what are 3 things you would want to have with you?

My family, a book, and sunscreen.

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Brian Carlton

What position are you running for?

School Director 

Tell us a little about yourself. where are you from? What’s your occupation? Family?

I grew up in Irwin and graduated from Norwin in 1998.  I am a Special Education teacher at Penn Trafford High School.  I am married to my wife Maggie and have a 5 yr old son, Miles, who will be going to Sunset Valley for Kindergarten next school year.

What sparked your interest to run for the board?

I want to continue to give back to my community and ensure our kids receive an exceptional education

What are some of your concerns among the District?  

Budget, COVID protocols, Health (mental & physical)/safety, curriculum, student learning.

Please elaborate on the most important concern of yours that you would like to see improved?

The most important concern I have right now is the social, emotional, and mental health of our students and our community.  COVID has put a strain on everyone.  We need to focus on healing as a school and as a community.

Rate on a scale of 1-10 how you think the school handled the return to school with COVID 1 being very poorly 10 being exceptional.

7

What goals do you wish to accomplish if elected on to the board?

Integrate more technology to ensure our students are college and career ready, reduce elementary class sizes, expand student social, emotional, and mental health support, increase outside revenue to be fiscally conservative, advocate for fair funding of cyber charter schools. Please visit my Website for a more detailed explanation as to how I plan to achieve these goals. www.electbriancarlton.com

If you were stranded on a hot deserted island what are 3 things you would want to have with you?

My wife, my son, and my dogs. 

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Rob Bunovich 

What position are you running for?

School board.

Tell us a little about yourself. where are you from? What’s your occupation? Family?

I am a 1996 graduate of Norwin and I’ve lived in the Norwin community most of my life. I currently reside in Westmoreland City with my wife, Melanie, also a Norwin graduate, and my two children, George and Mikaela, who both attend Norwin.  I’m a Voice Telecom Analyst for UPMC. Currently, I am the Vice President of Norwin Soccer Club. 

What sparked your interest to run for the board?

I believe the children of this community are also the future of it. For them to be productive and successful citizens, it is the school district’s responsibility to provide them with the skills they need to achieve this. I am running because I want to see the change needed to make this happen and I believe I can be an integral part of that change because I have no hidden political agenda, my only motive is do what is best for the students of this district.

What are some of your concerns among the District?

Budget, health (mental & physical)/safety, curriculum, student learning, STEM. 

Please elaborate on the most important concern of yours that you would like to see improved?

The most important concern, and one of the issues that inspired me to run for the school board, is coming up with creative solutions that will allow the district to save money, but do so without eliminating programs. Providing the students of Norwin with a well-rounded education, services needed for physical and mental health and opportunities to express their variety of talents, is my priority.

Rate on a scale of 1-10 how you think the school handled the return to school with COVID 1 being very poorly 10 being exceptional.

6

What goals do you wish to accomplish if elected on to the board?

After this past year with the pandemic, we need to get back on track. Focus on improving education. Focus on the NOA program and it’s curriculum. Secure adequate financial resources and adopt a yearly budget. Prioritize spending. Most of all, if elected, work with the current board on making the best decisions for these kids and this community.

If you were stranded on a hot deserted island what are 3 things you would want to have with you?

My Family, soccer ball (for my kids), and pizza.

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Carrie McConnell Muniz

What position are you running for?

Norwin School Director.

Tell us a little about yourself. where are you from? What’s your occupation? Family?

I am a 1992 Norwin Graduate. I went to University of Pittsburgh and earned my nursing degree, in 1996. I have done clinical trial research for the past 20 years, working to get devices and drugs approved for cancer and heart disease. My husband Julian is from South America. We have 5 children, 3 of whom have graduated from Norwin recently. Sam in 2017, Lindy in 2018 and Liam in 2020. They go to WVU, Syracuse and Pitt. Harrison is in 8th grade and Andy is at Hahntown, in 3rd grade. We have two crazy dogs, a Saint Bernard named Lou who likes to go for rides to Starbucks, with her big head hanging out the sunroof, and a bulldog named Winston.

What sparked your interest to run for the board?

There was too much negativity occurring this year, in the community.  It motivated me to get involved. Norwin is not a perfect place, no place is,  but it is not the horrible place many were making it out to be. We have strong foundations at Norwin and we need to build upon them and adapt to the future.

What are some of your concerns among the District?

COVID protocols, health (mental & physical)/safety, student learning, student voices being heard and respected.

Please elaborate on the most important concern of yours that you would like to see improved?

With the challenges of the past year many people have struggled. We need to perfect a culture that allows all involved to have a voice and express their thoughts, not judgements. Not having a safe and positive culture negatively impacts our physical and mental health. This must be prioritized.

Rate on a scale of 1-10 how you think the school handled the return to school with COVID 1 being very poorly 10 being exceptional.

5

What goals do you wish to accomplish if elected on to the board?

I wish to support the community, staff and students and be a voice for all.

If you were stranded on a hot deserted island what are 3 things you would want to have with you?

A hammock, a cold ice water and some sunglasses. Might as well enjoy it.

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Alex Detschelt

What position are you running for?

Norwin School Board director

Tell us a little about yourself. where are you from? What’s your occupation? Family?

I grew up in Moon Township, lived in New York for a few years when I started my family, and have returned to Pittsburgh, specifically, North Huntingdon in 2015.  I have been married to Libby for 15 years and have a daughter, Remi (10), at Hillcrest and a son, Luke (8), at Hahntown.  I am a patent attorney focused on systems/software, networks, and mobile technologies.  My hobbies include home automation and home theater, biking with my family, and obsessing over 80s pop culture.

What sparked your interest to run for the board?

I was one of the original organizers of the August protest advocating to have the District start the year on a 5 day-a-week in-person instruction model like neighboring districts.  I was disappointed in the lack of foresight and planning from the District all summer long that would have allowed for social distancing, such as renting tents or trailers.  As I pushed for getting the children back into their seats, I received an immense amount of unsolicited feedback from the community informing me of the issues that need to be addressed within the District.  I decided to run because I believe that a Board filled with concerned community parents who aren’t beholden to special interests or political influences can affect positive change within the District.

What are some of your concerns among the District?

Budget, health (mental & physical)/safety, curriculum, student learning, inadequate community representation on the school Board; lack of transparency in decision-making.

Please elaborate on the most important concern of yours that you would like to see improved?

Politics in the District result in unsustainable tax increases and compromise the educational and mental well-being of our children.  I believe that countering political influences with dedicated community representation will address both these issues.

Rate on a scale of 1-10 how you think the school handled the return to school with COVID 1 being very poorly 10 being exceptional. 

2

What goals do you wish to accomplish if elected on to the board?

As mentioned above, there are lots of things I wish to accomplish and they all involve being open with the community, listening to their concerns and addressing them, and doing the right thing without any political influence.  I started with a ‘Kids First’ mentality that I wish to apply to all decisions I would make on the Board.  For the community-at-large, I want to work to obtain a balanced-budget each year so that taxes will never need to be increased again.

If you were stranded on a hot deserted island what are 3 things you would want to have with you?

Aside from living essentials and excluding obvious things like a solar-powered GPS satellite phone to call home with: a media player containing every song and movie released between 1982 and 1992, a piano, seeing that I have all the time in the world to master it, and a database of all patents ever issued so that I can read to make me smarter or help me fall asleep faster and forget about my predicament.

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