Video: School Board Candidate Steve Alauzen

Editor's Note: Watch the short video interview with Steve Alauzen. The story below ran on Chartiers Valley Patch during the primary. All of the candidates and profile stories can be found in our

Steve Alauzen is concerned that the curriculum at is in decline and that the “stale” makeup of the school board is the cause of the problem.

“I think it’s the direction and the leadership provided by the board that maybe hasn’t been as focused on academics,” Alauzen said. “Let’s make sure we’re second to none in any of our (student) age groups.”

Alauzen has four children in the district and wants to make sure they get the same education he received when he graduated from Chartiers Valley in 1987. He said academics must be improved immediately so students can compete with neighboring school districts.

“I was under the impression that (the education) was on the same level of all our neighbors,” Alauzen said. “But I learned that we’re nowhere close.”

Alauzen, 41, of , grew up in the district and went to Penn State where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. He now works as an engineering team leader for Trane commercial systems.

He praised the work of new Superintendent Brian White Jr., but said he doubts the school board would have chosen him if not for the lobbying by the CV Task Force, a group of parents working to improve education.

“We just need a complete change on the board so we’re not a rubber stamp for the superintendent, but there to help him,” Alauzen said.

He said the district is “lagging behind” in state-mandated testing, but doesn’t want to focus solely on teaching kids how to take tests. Alauzen said he has the ability and background to work with others on the board to improve education.

“I think things out, won’t make bad decision and help to provide the leadership with my engineering and management background that the board is lacking,” Alauzen said. “I believe we can do it without spending more money. I think our district is financially sound now.”

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