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.
It is our belief that the role of the School Board is to support the District’s mission of providing every student the opportunity to grow and achieve. Our District embraces the Pennsylvania School Board Association’s principles for governance and leadership as a foundation, with the intention to: Advocate Earnestly, Lead Responsibly, Govern Effectively, Plan Thoughtfully, Evaluate Continuously, Communicate Clearly, and Act Ethically.
I’d like to encourage you to get to know the members of our School Board through dialogue and by becoming involved in our District operations and governance. I hope you’ll enjoy the opportunity to become better acquainted with the School Board of Directors and learn about each member’s unique skills, experience, and interests. We thank them for their service.
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.”
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.”
Rob Achtzehn is a Senior Manager for Chainalytics where he provides supply chain consulting services to Fortune 500 companies globally. He is a graduate of the Belle Vernon Area School District and the Pennsylvania State University. He has traveled extensively for work and has lived in Harrisburg, PA, Atlanta, GA, and Houston, TX. Mr. Achtzehn and his wife, Lisa, have been proud Fighting Highlanders for the past 20 years and have two children in the District. Adia graduated in 2017 and Eli is a member of the class of 2020. He has devoted much of his time to youth sports (lacrosse and basketball) over the past 6 years, has been active with the Baldwin Music Patrons, and has volunteered for numerous school events and activities.
Mr. Achtzehn believes that each student has unique talents and gifts and those talents need to be nurtured and given a place to thrive. He is thankful for the education his children have received in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District, with its strong values and commitment to community. He wants to devote his energy on the school board to making sure ALL students have the opportunity to develop their talents for success. Coming from the business world and managing large departmental budgets, he has worked his entire career trying to “do more with less,” and he fully understands how to achieve those goals while maintaining a fiscal discipline. “I have always believed that every individual can achieve success when provided the right opportunities and surrounded by a supportive community. I have seen that in our District firsthand, and I believe if we work together we can achieve even greater things.”
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.”
Gerald G. Pantone is a 1981 graduate of Carrick High School. He grew up in Bon Air, which is located in the City of Pittsburgh. Mr. Pantone and his wife Laura have lived in the Borough of Baldwin for the past twenty-five years. He has three daughters: Samantha (Class of 2004), Alexandra (Class of 2014), and Rebecca (Class of 2020).
Most of Mr. Pantone’s work experience is within the field of retail management. He worked at Three Rivers Stadium as a commissary manager, and he was also a Manager/Supervisor for the Toot & Scoot convenience stores, a subsidiary of Best Oil Inc. He was also a Counselor at Allegheny Academy for about a year.
He has served in various leadership positions in both the Baldwin-Whitehall PTA Council and the PTSA at Baldwin High School and as an officer for the Baldwin Highlander Music Patrons for many years, which supports the Baldwin Highlander Marching Band.
He has previously served on the Joint Operating Committee for Steel Center which is the Career and Technical School for our district, and currently serves as the Pa. School Board Association Representative for our district as well.
Mr. Pantone hopes to use his strong communication and team building skills to facilitate opportunities for all stakeholders within the school district to have their voices be heard. Mr. Pantone believes, “You never know what you can accomplish until you try.”
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.”
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.
Mr. David Solenday is a graduate of Baldwin High School. He went on to earn a degree from Robert Morris University and now works as a project coordinator at Community Care Behavioral Health. Mr. Solenday has been a lifetime PTA member, works with the Baldwin Highlander Music Patrons, and volunteers for Baldwin Community Day. He has two children, Harrison a member of the class of 2016 and Elizabeth a member of the class of 2019.
Mr. Solenday is an ardent advocate of public education and feels BWSD’s active volunteers, fantastic staff, positive leadership, and diverse culture make it great. He became a member of the School Board “to represent different groups in the community and ensure that others have a voice in making educational and administrative decisions. I have a personal interest in preserving and improving the quality of our schools. I believe in quality public education for current and future students.”
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.”
Shift to Full Remote Learning Model
Beginning Tuesday, November 24, 2020, the Baldwin-Whitehall School District will shift all students to the FULL REMOTE LEARNING MODEL. This change will last at least until December 11, 2020.
All students are expected to join their classes as they normally would have in the hybrid learning model.
Additional information regarding student schedules for after the Thanksgiving break will be communicated on Wednesday, November 25th.
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Peter D. Giglione, First Vice President
Janice Tarson
David Solenday
Karen L. Brown