'Fresh perspective': High school senior runs for his own school board

SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Imagine running for school board at the school you grew up in even before graduating.

That's exactly what a senior in Pennsylvania is doing.

"I'm 17 years old. You have to be 18 to be on the school board. I will actually turn 18 seven days before the primary," Ethan Phillippi said.

Phillippi said he's the youngest person to run for the school board and one of the youngest to run in Pennsylvania. His mission is to bring a fresh perspective to the school board.

I've been at Conemaugh Township since I was in kindergarten. Up until I've been a senior, I've gotten to see every decision that was made around the board, and how the school has changed over time. I think that's going to be a really interesting perspective to have on the board," he said.

He added he's always had an interest in politics, especially during the 2020 election.

He'll go to Pitt-Johnstown to major in political science in the hopes of eventually becoming a politician.

"It's exciting being such a young person running for such an important position in our area because this position does affect how the school district runs," he said.

The Municipal Primary Election will be held Tuesday, May 16.

There are currently nine people sitting on the school board at Conemaugh Township Area School District. Phillippi is running to change certain educational issues while still sitting in the classroom.

"I think it's really important that we work on teacher retention because in recent years we've had a lot of very valuable staff members leave for better opportunities and better pay. I think that's something we need to work on," he said.

Phillippi is encouraging other young people to follow in his footsteps by doing something instead of just complaining about it.

I think it's very important for young people to get involved in politics – and the decision-making themselves – because they can be unhappy about something, but that is one way that they can actually go in and change what is being done," he said.

With his family, friends and teachers rooting for him, signing the petitions and volunteering at polls,Phillippi said he's glad for the support.

"I want to represent the people of Conemaugh Township, the teachers, the staff, and the students, and make sure that everybody is represented," Ethan said.