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Political newcomers trumped incumbents in several local school board races yesterday.

According to unofficial election results:

Deer Lakes

Three political novices were elected along with relative newcomer Lisa Merlo, who was appointed to a board seat in February.

James McCaskey of Frazer was the lead vote-getter with 1,308 votes, followed by West Deer residents Lisa Merlo, 1,271; Carla Salvi, 1,013; and Michael Coletta, 990.

Salvi ran as a Democrat, Coletta and Merlo as Republicans and McCaskey was on both tickets.

They defeated three other candidates: incumbents Joanne Polarinakis and Jodi Banyas-Galecki and newcomer Angela Pogel.

Tracy Sharkins ran unopposed for a two-year seat on the board.

New Kensington-Arnold

Incumbent Bob Pallone easily defeated newcomer Marilyn Claassen for the Region I seat.

Pallone received 530 votes to Claassen's 310.

Claassen, a retired district secretary, previously acknowledged she would have difficulty upsetting Pallone, especially since she appeared on the Republican ticket. Both are Democrats from New Kensington.

Incumbents Traci Tallarico York in Region II and Deborah Glushenko and Pat Petit in Region III were unopposed.

Plum

Incumbent Kevin Dowdell will be joined by Republican newcomers Sal Colella, Andrew Drake and Shane McMasters.

Dowdell, who was the only candidate crossfiled, received the most votes with 3,296. He was followed by Drake with 2,538; McMasters, 2,464; and Colella, 2,451.

The defeated Democrats include incumbent Annie Loub and newcomers Jerome Bauer and Loretta White.

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