AVONWORTH CITIZENS
FOR COMMUNITY UNITY
2025 ELECTION
Uniting our community by strengthening our school district
05
20
2025
primary election
Avonworth School Board Director Election
Avonworth community members across all generations, including many parents of children from all school buildings, formed ACCU in 2021 to educate the community on local School Board elections. We work to unite the Avonworth community and recommend strong board candidates who will strengthen our school with a balanced approach.
We value candidates with a variety of backgrounds with different strengths that balance each other when teamed together with current school board members. We are looking for servant leaders who are committed to and have demonstrated that they will work together in partnership with fellow board members and the administration. Solid board directors bring their unique experiences and viewpoints with mutual respect for one another and a desire to work together to do what is right for our students.
To unite our community, it is imperative that our school board listens to the community, considers all input, including the advice of experts, and takes action based on what is best for all students and our school community.
We invite you to get involved by joining this community movement:
ACCU Endorsed Candidates for 2025 Primary
The May 20th primary election will include 5 candidates on the ballot for 4 open seats on the board.
ACCU is endorsing candidates who offer unique perspectives and backgrounds that round out the current Avonworth School Board. The four candidates selected this year stand out for the following reasons:
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Several candidates have children in the younger grades representing a younger demographic and therefore expanding the audience that board members are routinely connected with.
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Multiple candidates bring first-hand experience with the trades, community college, and career options broadening the boards’ perspectives on all student options upon graduation.
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Several candidates bring experiences in areas like operations, strategic planning, contract negotiations, and tech policy which are unique to the current board.
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All of these candidates support a vision of belonging where all kids, no matter their background, situation or needs, will experience a school environment of acceptance at Avonworth so that all students thrive socially and academically.
Combined together these four candidates bring experience in finance, contracts, education, operations, technology, and organizational leadership that will compliment sitting board members. The ACCU endorses:
Click on the candidate's name to be taken directly to their bio and Facebook page link for more information.
Adam Livingston
for "School Board Director"
Adam Livingston has lived in Avonworth for 13 years. He is married to Erica Knoll Krings, an Avonworth Alumni (class of 1998). They have two children: one in high school and one soon to be in middle school. Adam strives to be an advocate across all stakeholder groups and wants to ensure our students have a variety of opportunities.
As an educator and former higher education board member, Adam brings knowledge, experience and a pragmatic approach to the Avonworth School Board.
Adam, a substitute social studies and English teacher, has worked at Avonworth and other area schools in our Pittsburgh region. This first hand experience gives him a well-rounded understanding of the classroom setting, the intricacies of curriculum, and the challenges teachers and schools face today.
Adam served on a board at CCAC for academic integrity which partnered with students, faculty and staff. In that environment, Adam gained experience considering multiple viewpoints, and thinking critically to identify options and a variety of solutions to problems.
Before becoming a teacher, Adam worked as a massage therapist for 15 years giving him a unique perspective on the value of career-oriented options. Adam attended CCAC for a couple of years and graduated from Slippery Rock University with a degree in education. He understands the benefits that community colleges can offer and he brings a unique perspective & diverse experiences that will strengthen the board makeup.
NEW Avonworth School Board Director Candidate
NEW Avonworth School Board Director Candidate
Jessica (Jessie) Opalko
for "School Board Director"
Jessie brings to the Avonworth School Board a unique blend of leadership experience with her background in mechanical engineering and business administration, and deep community ties.
Jessie spent 17 years at Westinghouse Electric, transitioning from engineering to business operations and commercial strategy. She is a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh's LDI, a leadership development program which fosters civic and community engagement. With expertise in contract negotiations, risk management, financial oversight, and strategic planning, she has successfully led complex negotiations, cross-functional teams, and high-stakes initiatives. She understands the importance of responsible budgeting, long-term planning, and collaborative decision-making.
Jessie took a voluntary leave opportunity to refresh her perspectives, focus on family, community and volunteerism. Recently, Jessie participated in the Avonworth strategic planning committee which deepened her understanding of the district and gained insight on the future of Avonworth.
A resident of Avonworth for 12 years, Jessie and her husband, Andy Pfister, have two daughters, a 2nd grader and a 5th grader. Jessie is regularly involved in the PTA, classroom events, school-day volunteering, and staff appreciation events. She and her family are deeply committed to the Avonworth Soccer Association with her husband serving on the ASA board and as a coach, while she supports and volunteers on the sidelines.
Jessie chairs key events for the Ben Avon Heights community like the annual picnic, and coordinates neighborhood meal support for families with newborns. She is a board member for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Western PA, where she advocates on behalf of the CF community.
Justin Panuski
for "School Board Director"
Justin Panuski has been a resident of the Avonworth school district for 7 years. He and his wife Morgan have two children, one in elementary and one in middle school. Justin is running for School Board to support the district's initiatives on belonging and to ensure all students receive an enriching education in an environment that creates confident, respectful, growth-minded community members.
Justin is an electrical engineer with a background in tech policy, which refers to the regulations and standards that govern the use and impact of technology. This unique experience will enhance the school board’s oversight of technology integration throughout the Avonworth schools.
Justin currently manages a team of engineers and offers his experience in team building and collaboration to strengthen the functioning of the Avonworth School Board. He is recognized by peers for his attention to detail and strong organization skills which will be an asset to the board when reviewing policies and negotiating contracts.
Justin has served as treasurer of his local homeowners association board, and offers his financial management strengths to the school board in the oversight of the budget. His insights will increase the effectiveness of the board’s stewardship of the community’s tax dollars.
NEW Avonworth School Board Director Candidate
Avonworth School Board Director since 2021
Amy Tokar
for "School Board Director"
Amy Tokar has lived in the Avonworth School District for 25 years. She is married to Brian and they have two children who are Avonworth alumni (classes of 2021 & 2024), one of whom attended the AW Beattie Career Center.
Amy is an incumbent Director on the Avonworth School Board with four years of experience. In that role she has served as a PSBA delegate and the chair of the PR/Community Outreach committee. She is the current chair of the Academics Committee and one of the A.W. Beattie representatives. She has participated in the Avonworth strategic planning process and has experience collaborating with the current school board and administration on overseeing the building project, budgetary decisions, facilities management, athletics, and contract negotiations to name a few.
Amy is an experienced operations leader that brings a unique ability to think strategically and execute with detail and efficiency. Her business administration background and experience as a financial analyst has given her a deep understanding of forecasting and identifying areas for improvement. She brings expertise to the board in making fact-based decisions using concrete data.
Amy is now a small business owner located within the Avonworth community, utilizing her project management experience, operations knowledge and strong work ethic. She has also served on the Avonworth Band Boosters Association board for five years, demonstrating her commitment to the school community.