Sylvia Wilson
Sylvia Wilson (Democratic Party) is a member of the Pittsburgh School District school board in Pennsylvania, representing District 1. She assumed office in 2013. Her current term ends on December 1, 2025.
Wilson (Republican Party, Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Pittsburgh School District school board to represent District 1 in Pennsylvania. She won in the general election on November 2, 2021. She advanced from the Democratic primary on May 18, 2021. She advanced from the Republican primary on May 18, 2021.
Wilson was a superdelegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania. Click here to learn more.
Biography
Wilson is assistant to the president of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers and has been secretary of the executive board since 1979. She serves on the Allegheny County Sanitation Authority Board as the joint city-county appointee and is an active member in many other organizations throughout Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Pennsylvania. She has been an active volunteer with community youth baseball and football organizations. Wilson taught elementary school in the Pittsburgh school district for 26 years. She earned her B.A. from Carnegie Mellon University in 1972 and her M.A. in education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1976.[1]
Elections
2021
See also: Pittsburgh Public Schools, Pennsylvania, elections (2021)
General election
General election for Pittsburgh School District Board of Directors District 1
Incumbent Sylvia Wilson won election in the general election for Pittsburgh School District Board of Directors District 1 on November 2, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Sylvia Wilson (R / D) | 97.8 | 5,909 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 2.2 | 133 | ||
| Total votes: 6,042 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pittsburgh School District Board of Directors District 1
Incumbent Sylvia Wilson defeated Grace Higginbotham and Carlos Thomas in the Democratic primary for Pittsburgh School District Board of Directors District 1 on May 18, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sylvia Wilson | 55.8 | 3,260 |
| Grace Higginbotham | 32.9 | 1,924 | ||
 | Carlos Thomas | 10.9 | 634 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 22 | ||
| Total votes: 5,840 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pittsburgh School District Board of Directors District 1
Incumbent Sylvia Wilson advanced from the Republican primary for Pittsburgh School District Board of Directors District 1 on May 18, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sylvia Wilson | 90.0 | 144 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 10.0 | 16 | ||
| Total votes: 160 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2017
Five of the nine seats on the Pittsburgh School District school board were up for by-district general election on November 7, 2017. A partisan primary election was held on May 16, 2017, leaving one candidate running per seat. These candidates could have faced independent candidates in the general election. However, no independent candidate filed by the August 1, 2017, deadline to get on the ballot.[2]
In her bid for re-election, District 1 incumbent Sylvia Wilson filed as a Democrat and faced no opposition in the primary or general election. Two candidates filed as Democrats for the open District 3 seat. Sala Udin defeated James Myers, Jr. in the primary election and advanced to the general election. Udin won the general election with no opposition. Official vote totals showed that the District 1 and 3 seats on the primary Republican ballots received 10 and 16 write-in votes, respectively. These numbers were not high enough to qualify any write-in candidates to appear on the general Republican ballots for the seats, so no Republican candidates appeared on the ballot.[3]
The District 5 incumbent Terry Kennedy cross-filed as a Democrat and Republican for re-election and was joined on the ballot by newcomer Ghadah Makoshi, who also cross-filed. Kennedy won both the Democratic and Republican nominations and proceeded to win the general election without opposition.
In her bid for re-election, District 7 incumbent Cynthia Falls cross-filed for another term on the board and faced Democratic challenger Joseph Conrad Kearfott Burns in the primary election. Falls won both the Democratic and Republican nominations and faced no opponent in the general election. District 9 incumbent Carolyn Klug filed as a Democrat for re-election, and was joined on the primary election ballot by challenger Veronica Edwards, who cross-filed in the race. Edwards defeated Klug for the Democratic nomination and won the Republican nomination as well. She advanced to the general election, which she won unopposed.[4][5][6]
General results
| Pittsburgh School District, District 1 General Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Sylvia Wilson Incumbent (unopposed) |
99.22% | 4,825 | |
| Write-in votes | 0.78% | 38 | ||
| Total Votes | 4,863 | |||
| Source: Allegheny County, "Unofficial Election Night Final (with Absentees)," accessed November 8, 2017 These election results are unofficial and will be updated after official vote totals are made available. | ||||
Primary results
| Pittsburgh School District, District 1 Democratic Primary Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Sylvia Wilson Incumbent (unopposed) |
98.48% | 3,634 | |
| Write-in votes | 1.52% | 56 | ||
| Total Votes | 3,690 | |||
| Source: Allegheny County, "2017 Primary Election Official Results," accessed June 21, 2017 | ||||
Funding
Wilson filed exemption from campaign finance reporting in the primary election.[7]
All school board candidates in New York who raise or spend more than $50 are required to file campaign finance reports. If candidates raise or spend less than $1,000 they are required to file with their city or county's board of elections. If they raise or spend over $1,000 they must file with the New York State Board of Elections. Candidates who raise or spend less than $50 (including their own personal funds) do not have to file any reports. If this occurs, candidates are required to file an exemption statement with the appropriate board of elections.[8]
Endorsements
Wilson received official endorsements from the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, the Steel City Stonewall Democrats, and the 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club.[9][10][11]
2013
Wilson ran unopposed for the District 1 seat on November 5, 2013.
Results
| Pittsburgh Public Schools, District 1 General Election, 4-year term, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Cross filed | Sylvia Wilson |
99.4% | 3,876 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in | 0.6% | 22 | |
| Total Votes | 3,898 | |||
| Source: Allegheny County, "2013 General Election Results," accessed March 31, 2017 | ||||
| Pittsburgh Public Schools District 1 Primary Election, 4-year term, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Sylvia Wilson |
97% | 129 | |
| Republican | Write-In | 3% | 4 | |
| Total Votes | 133 | |||
| Source: "Allegheny County Election Results, "2013 Primary Results," accessed September 30, 2013 | ||||
| Pittsburgh Public Schools District 1 Primary Election, 4-year term, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democrat | Sylvia Wilson |
82.1% | 2,492 | |
| Democrat | Lucille Prater-Holiday | 17.4% | 529 | |
| Democrat | Write-In | 0.5% | 15 | |
| Total Votes | 3,036 | |||
| Source: "Allegheny County Election Results, "2013 Primary Results," accessed September 30, 2013 | ||||
Campaign finance
Wilson reported $3,138.51 in contributions and $1,106.55 in expenditures to the Allegheny County Election Division, which left her campaign with $2,031.96 on hand as of December 20, 2013.[12]
Endorsements
Wilson did not receive any official endorsements for her campaign in this election.
Campaign themes
2021
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Sylvia Wilson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.
2017
Candidate questionnaire
The following questions along with Wilson's answers were listed on the website Vote School Board First!:[13]
Q: Currently, nearly half of the dollars spent at a school building are allocated centrally and not accounted for at the building level, making it difficult to know whether resources are being distributed equitably to meet student needs. How will you make Pittsburgh Public Schools budgeting process more transparent?
A: There are specific costs that are allocated to schools that are easily identified such as the amount per employee salary and benefits for those assigned to each site. After that there are specific allocations based on a number of pupils. Schools do have some say via the PSCC and internal processes, if they function as originally designed.
Q: Under what circumstances would you support increasing or decreasing property taxes in the district? What research or evidence would you use to help you make that decision?
A: I am not in support of a decrease. If property taxes were eliminated, without a viable alternative, that would mean increases in personal income taxes and an increase in sales tax. This impacts middle and lower income families the most.
Q: Over the last several years Pittsburgh Public Schools has seen a decline in student enrollment. How will you reverse this trend to keep families in the district?
A: The Pittsburgh Promise was one strategy to bring families to live in Pittsburgh and enroll their children in PPS. As public housing was closed and other forms of housing was built to replace them, families have been moved to county housing/homes. they have not been brought back to the city to live and become a part of PPS again. There should be attention given to this as the fight for affordable housing continues.
Q: How will you, as a board member, improve the district’s transportation system?
A: We do not have our own transportation system. However, feeder patterns need to be addressed. Bus driver shortages need to be addressed. One way might be best addressed by paying decent wages. This would attract and retain better drivers.
Q: Do you support the universal screening of all students for Gifted and Talented education supports?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you agree with the board’s decision to create another tier of disciplinary infractions? Would you be in favor of creating more tiers to better address behavior problems?
A: This is being addressed right now. Input is being requested from the community via several public sessions.
Q: Suspensions and expulsions are rarely an effective means for improving school climate. What alternatives will you support (eg. Restorative Justice, Positive Behavioral Intervention Systems, others) through policy to reduce school pushout and improve school climate? (Please cite the research or evidence you will use to back up your policy position).
A: Both alternatives are being used in various degrees in the district. More attention/training is needed for the practices to become comfortable and commonplace. A need for peer mediation is also a strong strategy which should be used as well.
Q: If elected, your main job will be to serve over 26,000 students in Pittsburgh’s district and charter schools. How will you ensure student voice is taken into account by the school board?
A: It was one of the considerations expressed from the community that was an outcome of the forums held leading to the selection of the superintendent. The inclusion of student voice is increasing with the current administration.
Q: Pittsburgh Public Schools hiring process often does not conclude until August for many new teachers, later than most surrounding districts. What policies will you enact to improve the hiring timeline for new teachers and to attract a more diverse pool of candidates?
A: There have been efforts to identify vacancies and hire early. However, it is not an easy process. Employees do not have to indicate their retirement by a specific date. Therefore, it is not always easy to know which vacancies exist. The district has instituted some incentives to report early, but it does not always bring about the desired result.
Q: PPS is currently in the planning stages of creating community schools. What research or evidence will you use to monitor the successful implementation of a community schools model?
A: There are many districts in the US that have functioning community schools. Although each district has many variations within their schools, PPS can look to the various models as our own community schools develop.
Q: Reading at grade level by third grade has been shown to be a strong predictor of future academic success, and in 2016 only 47% of Pittsburgh’s third graders met that bar. What will you do as a Board member to ensure that students benefit from systematic, comprehensive and evidence-based reading interventions so that more of our students are reading at grade level by third grade?
A: Appropriate interventions to be in place for identified students having difficulties with existing curricula. The use of data to determine what each student needs to meet that bar.
Q: How will you as a board member identify gaps in opportunities for students and work to address them so as to close gaps in student achievement?
A: There has to be more work to determine why the gap remains even when considering that black students continue to score lower regardless of socio-economic factors.
Q: How will you ensure that students receive a well-balanced and healthy lunch that students will want to eat?
A: Lunches are designed to be well-balanced. The problem is perception of what is "good." Flavor and variety have to be considered. There are options being considered by PPS food service which in turn are opted by individual schools.
Q: How will you make sure students have up to date materials especially in history and literature classes?
A: Access to and the use of specific internet resources have provided for this.
Q: What is your vision for the expansion of Pre-K in Pittsburgh? What do you see as the role of Pre-K in a child's learning progression through the PPS system?
A: It only stops short of expansion based on available funding.
Q: How will you work constructively with the eight other board members to ensure all Pittsburgh students receive a quality education?
A: No one can accomplish anything alone. It requires the members to work together for the benefit of all students.
Q: How will you effectively advocate for Pittsburgh’s students with other elected officials, both local and state?
A: I keep in touch -- call, speak to them directly, or write to them regarding specific issues. Also, it's good to keep them informed of PPS activities.
Q: How will you communicate the board’s work with your constituents, parents and non-parents alike?
A: I participate in public meetings, forums, etc. when time allows. I have been contacted by email, phone, or when I am out anywhere in the community. I refer to the board's web site for information. Many watch the board meetings on TV and I get follow up comments and/or questions.
Q: How will you support best practices in early education (Pre-K- Grade 4), including play based learning and a focus on social and emotional skills?
A: I support these best practices, but there are always pressures (external and internal) to get results without these considerations.
2016 Democratic National Convention
- See also: Democratic National Convention, 2016
| Sylvia Wilson | |
| Democratic National Convention, 2016 | |
| Status: | Superdelegate |
| State: | Pennsylvania |
| Supporting: | Hillary Clinton |
| Delegates to the DNC 2016 | |
| Calendar and delegate rules overview • Types of delegates • State election law and delegates • Superdelegates by state | |
Wilson was a superdelegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania.[14] Wilson was one of 19 superdelegates from Pennsylvania. Superdelegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention were not bound by the results of their state’s primary or caucus results to support a specific presidential candidate. Wilson supported Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.[15]Clinton formally won the Democratic nomination for president on July 26, 2016.[16]
What is a superdelegate?
Superdelegates in 2016 were automatic delegates to the Democratic National Convention, meaning that, unlike regular delegates, they were not elected to this position. Also unlike regular delegates, they were not required to pledge their support to any presidential candidate, and they were not bound by the results of their state's presidential primary election or caucus. In 2016, superdelegates included members of the Democratic National Committee, Democratic members of Congress, Democratic governors, and distinguished party leaders, including former presidents and vice presidents. All superdelegates were free to support any presidential candidate of their choosing at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.[17]
Pennsylvania primary results
Hillary Clinton won the Pennsylvania Democratic primary. A total of 189 pledged delegates were at stake. Polling from late-March and April showed Clinton with a lead over Bernie Sanders ranging from six to 22 points.
| Pennsylvania Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | Delegates | |
|
Hillary Clinton |
55.6% | 935,107 | 106 | |
| Bernie Sanders | 43.5% | 731,881 | 83 | |
| Roque De La Fuente | 0.9% | 14,439 | 0 | |
| Totals | 1,681,427 | 189 | ||
| Source: The New York Times and Pennsylvania Secretary of State | ||||
Delegate allocation
Pennsylvania had 208 delegates at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Of this total, 189 were pledged delegates. National party rules stipulated how Democratic delegates in all states were allocated. Pledged delegates were allocated to a candidate in proportion to the votes he or she received in a state's primary or caucus. A candidate was eligible to receive a share of the state's pledged delegates if he or she won at least 15 percent of the votes cast in the primary or caucus. There were three types of pledged Democratic delegates: congressional district delegates, at-large delegates, and party leaders and elected officials (PLEOs). Congressional district delegates were allocated proportionally based on the primary or caucus results in a given district. At-large and PLEO delegates were allocated proportionally based on statewide primary results.[18][19]
Nineteen party leaders and elected officials served as unpledged delegates. These delegates were not required to adhere to the results of a state's primary or caucus.[18][20]
See also
2021 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Pittsburgh School District Board of Directors District 1 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ "Allegheny County Sanitation Authority," "Sylvia W. Wilson," accessed September 30, 2013
- ↑ Allegheny County, "Candidates," accessed October 25, 2017
- ↑ Elisabeth Moore, "Phone conversation with an Allegheny County elections official," June 21, 2017
- ↑ Allegheny County, PA, "2017 Primary Election," May 17, 2017These election results are unofficial and will be updated after official vote totals are made available.
- ↑ Allegheny County, "Running for Office-List of Candidates," accessed March 31, 2017
- ↑ Allegheny County, "Unofficial Election Night Final (with Absentees)," accessed November 8, 2017
- ↑ Allegheny County, "Campaign Finance Statement for Sylvia Wilson," accessed June 21, 2017
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "Campaign Finance Handbook," accessed May 8, 2017
- ↑ Allegheny County Democratic Committee, "Announcing our 2017 Endorsed Candidates," March 5, 2017
- ↑ Steel City Stonewall Democrats, "2017 Endorsed Candidates," accessed May 11, 2017
- ↑ The 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club, "2017 endorsements," April 23, 2017
- ↑ "Allegheny County, Pennsylvania," "Campaign Finance Reports," accessed December 20, 2013
- ↑ Vote School Board First! "Sylvia Wilson," accessed May 9, 2017
- ↑ Ballotpedia's list of superdelegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention is based on our own research and lists provided by the Democratic National Committee to Vox.com in February 2016 and May 2016. If you think we made an error in identifying superdelegates, please send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.
- ↑ Philadelphia Business Journal, "PoliticsPA: Hillary secures all of Pennsylvania's superdelegates," April 28, 2016
- ↑ To find out which candidate a superdelegate supported, Ballotpedia sought out public statements from the superdelegate in other media outlets and on social media. If we were unable to find a public statement that clearly articulated which candidate the superdelegate supported at the national convention, we listed that superdelegate as "unknown." If you believe we made an error in identifying which candidate a superdelegate supported, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.
- ↑ Congressional Research Service, "The Presidential Nominating Process and the National Party Conventions, 2016: Frequently Asked Questions," December 30, 2015
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Democratic National Committee, "2016 Democratic National Convention Delegate/Alternate Allocation," updated February 19, 2016
- ↑ The Green Papers, "2016 Democratic Convention," accessed May 7, 2021
- ↑ Democratic National Committee's Office of Party Affairs and Delegate Selection, "Unpledged Delegates -- By State," May 27, 2016
