Board Members
Our Board consists of nine members elected to serve, without compensation, for overlapping terms of four years each. These roles often include long hours, a great deal of sacrifice, and a strong sense of dedication to the mission of the District.
President, Amanda L. Priano
Amanda Priano is a native of Fredonia, New York, and has lived in Baldwin-Whitehall since 2002, with her husband and four children. She graduated from Cedarville University in Ohio. Amanda now works as an architectural associate at Cullen & Associates, and is a general contractor / developer / owner of Liberty Evergreen Development. Her children, Rebekah (2023), Joseph (2023), Ryan (2025), and Erika (2027) keep her and her husband, Tim, hopping between multiple activities in the district including running, soccer, band, choir, musicals, and more.
Mrs. Priano is honored to be a part of the Baldwin-Whitehall School Board, and is particularly interested in the new construction and remodeling projects that are happening in an effort to facilitate the best physical learning environment for the students.
Peter D. Giglione, First Vice President
Pete Giglione is a native of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, and has lived in Baldwin since 2007, with his wife and two daughters. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Duquesne University, and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law. A trial attorney by trade, Mr. Giglione practices law in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. He is an adjunct faculty member at Duquesne University School of Law, where he serves as Director of the Trial Advocacy Program, and at the Rangos School of Health Sciences at Duquesne, where he teaches Legal Issues in Healthcare to undergraduate and graduate students. Mr. Giglione also frequently lectures at legal education seminars, and has served as faculty for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges, Pennsylvania Association for Justice, University of Pittsburgh Consortium Ethics Program, and Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. His daughters are students in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District, and he and his family are active members of St. John’s Byzantine Catholic Cathedral in Munhall, Pennsylvania.
“I believe that we best serve our students through a collaborative approach where our teachers, administrators, and parents, all have input into the decisions being made that affect our district. I enjoy speaking to other parents about their ideas and concerns, and will always ensure that their voices are heard by the Board.”
Second Vice President, Karen L. Brown
Karen Brown brings a strong background in education to her work as a board member. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in education from Slippery Rock State College and a Master’s Degree in administration from Duquesne University, as well as a Principal’s Certification. She has worked as a teacher in elementary and middle grades and as a middle school principal.
Ms. Brown and her two children (now college graduates themselves) graduated from the Baldwin-Whitehall School District, which was central in her desire to become a member of the board, “After being an educator for 40 years, I felt it was time to give back to the community that educated me and my children.” Brown feels that understanding the District’s legacy is key to progress, “This District was built with strong values and traditions. I want to uphold those traditions and values while finding ways to move the District forward. The more we can be on the cutting edge of education, the better we will be able to meet the needs of the students in our fast-technology world.”
Tara A. Abt
Tara Abt grew up in Brookline and has proudly called Baldwin home since 2017. She utilizes her Medical Business Management degree as a Practice Transformation Specialist for Aledade, Inc. In this role, she partners with healthcare practices to strengthen operations, improve communication, and enhance the overall experience for practice staff and their patients. This work has developed her strengths in problem solving, collaboration, effective communication, and analyzing complex challenges—skills she will apply in her service to the school district.
Community involvement is central to Tara’s values. She and her husband, Nate—a 2003 Baldwin graduate—volunteer by coaching their daughter, Layla, with the Greater Baldwin Whitehall Athletic Association and the WPISL Baldwin Slow Pitch Softball Club, and are active with Baldwin Boys Soccer supporting their son, Lucas. Tara and Nate assist with events, help run concessions, and contribute through Nate’s service as Treasurer. Their family’s involvement across district athletics has helped them build strong connections throughout the community.
Tara believes strong communities are built when people show up, listen, and work together with respect. She values open dialogue and believes that embracing diverse perspectives helps create a positive environment for families, students, and staff. Tara is honored to serve on the Baldwin-Whitehall School District Board of Directors. She approaches the role with humility and a genuine commitment to listening, learning, and contributing. Her decision to run for the school board was driven by a desire to bring a fresh, collaborative perspective and to support progress across the district.
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John W. Bell
John Bell graduated from Elizabeth Forward High school at which time he joined the United States Marine Corps. After serving in Desert Storm, he earned a B.S.B.A. in Management Information Systems from Robert Morris University. John and his wife moved to Whitehall in 1999. They raised four children in Baldwin-Whitehall and have become invested in their community. All four of their children played soccer which inspired John to become a soccer coach for BWSA. “ I have always believed in giving back and serving.” In addition to serving on the Baldwin-Whitehall School Board, John is currently the Vice President of the Men’s Soccer Boosters at the high school.
John has worked for a local leading university for over 20 years which gives him insight into the complexity of education today. He believes it takes a team of dedicated staff, faculty, teachers, and facilities working in tandem to maintain an effective atmosphere for learning. “I trust in the partnership
between families and educators to foster a healthy learning environment.” John wants the students of
the Baldwin-Whitehall school district to have a positive impact on others long after they graduate.
“Education is not the learning of many facts, but the training of the mind to think.” –Albert Einstein
Dr. Anthony J. DiCesaro
Dr. Anthony DiCesaro has been in practice as a chiropractor for nearly two decades and is currently the proprietor of Whitehall Health Centre. Dr. DiCesaro graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania College of Chiropractic and has owned clinics across the country throughout his career. Dr. DiCesaro has one son also named Anthony in the District.
Dr. DiCesaro believes strongly in the character of each of our communities. “All of our surrounding communities are full of good, hard-working people that care deeply for their families and friends.” This is the foundation the school board builds on. “If we put the welfare of the children first and the community as a whole a close second, we cannot fail.”
Dan Knezevich
Mr. Daniel Knezevich was born and raised in Whitehall and graduated from Baldwin High School. He has worked at Schneider’s Dairy for nearly 30 years, first as a union driver and currently as logistics manager. Mr. Knezevich has two daughters: Katie (Class of 2017) and Molly (Class of 2019).
Mr. Knezevich cites honesty, compassion, and a willingness to do anything in order to get the job done right as hallmarks of strong leadership. “I ran for school board in hopes of being able to make a significant change. I believe in the superintendent’s vision of providing our students a quality education.”
Ashley J. Miller
Ashley Miller is originally from Parkersburg, WV, and her husband, Truitt, is from Greenville, SC. She and her husband have lived in Baldwin since 2014 with their twins, Weston and Sloane. She graduated from Parkersburg South High School and went on to earn a degree in Elementary Education, K-6, at Marshall University. Ashley began her teaching career at Title One schools in North Carolina and South Carolina, teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade, and moved into the preschool setting when her twins were in their preschool years. Eventually, she became the director of Good Shepherd Christian Preschool, prior to moving into her current career as a behavioral health educator with AHN working in the West Jefferson Hills School District.
Ashley and her husband are active in the community through sports and special needs activities. Her husband coaches the 6th grade girls' travel basketball, as he was a collegiate basketball player himself and volunteers in other sports when needed. Ashley was previously the 5th grade committee chair and active in the PTO throughout her children’s elementary years.
“A school district is the heartbeat of any community. I believe that being a member of the school board is a servant position that serves the community, district employees, and students. A strong heartbeat means a strong sense of love for the community and morale within the district.”
Janice Tarson
Janice Tarson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in sociology from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, a Master’s of Social Work Degree from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Social Work, and an Associate’s Degree in nursing from Community College of Allegheny County. She has two children who both completed grades K-12 in the Baldwin Whitehall School District. Her community volunteer efforts have included working with the Greater Baldwin-Whitehall Athletic Association, a parent-member of the Baldwin Football Parents Club, Treasurer and President of the Baldwin Girls’ Tennis Club, Treasurer of the Baldwin Boys’ Basketball Boosters, and Secretary of the WPISL Baldwin Girls’ Slow Pitch Softball Club.
Ms. Tarson joined the School Board, “to help grow and move the District forward, to maintain current opportunities for our students, and then grow and expand those opportunities once the District has achieved financial stability.” Her wish for our students is, “that they spend the rest of their lives believing that they grew up in the best community ever and that they remember their primary education fondly and their years at Baldwin High School as the best years of their lives.”