PITTSBURGH — A single vote separates two candidates in the Pittsburgh Public Schools District 9 school board race, and it could take weeks before a clear winner is officially announced.
The matchup features incumbent School Board President Gene Walker and challenger Allie Petonic, a union Steelworker. The two candidates have distinct visions for the future of Pittsburgh Public Schools, a difference that some voters believe could significantly impact how the district approaches school consolidation, including decisions about which schools will close and when.
“For it to be so split and so close, it means that people are paying attention and are unhappy,” said current board member Devon Taliaferro.
Taliaferro, a board member representing District 2 and currently serving her second term, is the only board member who endorsed Petonic.
Walker and Petonic faced off during Tuesday’s Democratic primary, but as of Wednesday morning, the race had not been called. Currently, 38 out of 39 precincts have reported results, with Petonic holding a narrow one-point lead over Walker.
“I think action needs to happen sooner rather than later, and all I’ve heard from my opponent is that they want to stop the process, talk to the community more, and drag this out longer,” said Walker. As an outspoken advocate for school closures, Walker has made notable progress in this goal alongside the current superintendent.
Petonic provided Channel 11 News with the following statement:
“I am incredibly grateful to every volunteer, supporter, and voter who made their voice heard in this election. This race is about the future of Pittsburgh’s public school students, and voters showed up because they care about transparency, accountability, and having a real say in decisions that affect our students, teachers, staff, and neighborhoods. With the margin this close, every single vote must be counted. No matter the outcome, this campaign has made it clear that Pittsburgh voters and community members value strong public schools for our students, our city, and our future.”
Taliaferro noted that Petonic, as a union worker, shares her belief that community input is more crucial than a quick decision-making process. “We are making tough decisions on behalf of the residents, so we need to involve them, and I feel that Allie genuinely cares about the voice of the community,” Taliaferro said.
According to Allegheny County Elections, the county will share unofficial results from the remaining precincts on Friday. After that, they will confirm and tally all provisional ballots. Once this process is complete, either candidate can request a recount by filing with the Court of Common Pleas.
Taliaferro emphasized that regardless of who joins her on the board, decisions will not be taken lightly. “The decisions we have to make over the next couple of months will not be easy for anyone when it comes to determining which school buildings we need to close,” she said.
On Wednesday, the board will hold an executive meeting where the superintendent will present the most recent consolidation plan.
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