Today, the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers Local 400 announced its endorsements for the upcoming May primary school-board election. 

Four seats are up for grabs and three incumbent school directors — Mark Brentley, Sherry Hazuda and Bill Isler — have all announced they will not run for re-election. District 2 Rep. Regina Holley is so far running unopposed. 

In its announcement today, the PFT endorsed Holley, along with District 4 challenger Lynda Wrenn, Moira Kalieda in District 6 and Kevin Carter in District 8.  

“School-board elections are always important for our city, but that is especially true this year. The incoming school board will be responsible for recruiting the next superintendent and planning the direction of the district for the next few years,” PFT 400 President Nina Esposito-Visgitis said in a statement. “We believe Regina Holley, Lynda Wrenn, Moira Kaleida and Kevin Carter are the school-board candidates that understand what our students and our schools need to succeed.”

The union was especially complimentary of Kaleida, a Beechview resident and committee member with the Allegheny County Democratic Committee. 

“PFT 400 has more members that live in District 6 than in any other district in the city of Pittsburgh. As someone who teaches and lives in District 6, I am proud to announce the endorsement of Moira Kaleida for school board,” said PFT 400 Political Action Committee Chair Jeremiah Dugan. “Moira Kaleida understands the issues facing the 10 schools in District 6 and schools across the city of Pittsburgh. Moira Kaleida is a strong supporter of community schools, and as a public-school parent, she has the passion needed to be an effective school-board member.”

Also running are Kirk Burkley for District 4, Tracy Link for District 6 and Patricia Rogers for District 8.