Allegheny Valley School Board appoints a familiar face as its new school director

The Allegheny Valley School Board has appointed Glenna Renaldi to an open school director’s seat.

The board named Renaldi to replace James Gaschler Jr., who stepped down earlier this month. In a 5-3 vote Tuesday night, the board chose Renaldi over three other candidates.

Renaldi is no stranger to the position. She previously served 20 years on the board before losing her seat in the November 2019 election.

“I missed it and wanted to come back because I had enjoyed my time,” Renaldi said. “I felt I could come back and put in the time needed.”

Renaldi will hold the seat until December 2023. The seat will not be up for election this year because Gaschler’s resignation date was less than 60 days from the Nov. 2 general election.

At the board’s Sept. 14 meeting, the candidates spoke to the board about why they wanted to serve. In addition to Renaldi, they were John Murray, Pamela Hauber and Lindsay Houston.

Board President Larry Pollick said Renaldi was chosen because of her experience.

“I wanted someone who had an understanding of the whole picture, and she brings that,” he said.

After thanking the three other candidates for stepping up to apply, Pollick encouraged them to run for a board seat, noting the quality of their applications.

“Run for this responsibility. If you have the same kind of commitment, you will be supported,” he said.

The board approved Gaschler’s resignation Aug. 17, and he officially resigned Sept. 7. Solicitor Matt Hoffman said Gaschler left the board because he moved or is moving outside of the district.

Gaschler was a 19-year-old senior at Springdale Junior-Senior High School when he was elected to the school board in 2015. He was reelected in November 2019.