Longtime Penn Hills School Board President Erin Vecchio was re-elected last week, but her nomination drew controversy.
Newly elected member Reginald Hickman voiced his opposition to the board’s decision.
“We have a school district that is 63 percent African American and I really do think that we would best represent the community having an African American elected as president,” said Hickman.
Erin Vecchio, who has served on the board for 26 years and as president for nine, says she was shocked by the comments.
“I don’t pick and choose who I serve, that’s what a school board member does,” said Vecchio. “Race should never be brought into a school board or any other seat, we’re here to serve the community.”
When asked if Vecchio felt things would've turned out differently if the roles were reversed and she said, “If I would have said what he said, I’d be on national news.”
Vecchio says he was taken aback by Hickman’s comments.
“I was the first person to bring in a Black superintendent, a Black coach . . . I never back down on that, I’m here to serve everybody,” said Vecchio.
The board voted 7-2 in her favor, and Vecchio says she will continue working to move the district forward.