The Seneca Valley School Board approved more than $6 million in combined expenditures and undertook a significant policy overhaul at its Sept. 16 action session, consolidating separate job expense policies for different employee classifications into a single unified policy.

Board member Mike Jacobs presided over the meeting at Seneca Valley Intermediate High School Auditorium in the absence of President Eric DiTullio, who was absent along with Tim Hester and Jeff Widdowson. Members Leslie Bredl, Nick Brower, Susan Harrison, Jacobs, Fred Peterson, and Kari Zimmer were present.

The board approved general fund bills spanning two fiscal years: $466,899.10 from 2023-24 and $4,718,416.33 from 2024-25, plus construction fund bills of $850,541.62, for a combined total exceeding $6 million. Susan Harrison motioned, seconded by Leslie Bredl, with all present voting in the affirmative.

In a policy consolidation effort, the board approved revisions to Policy 331, Employees Job Related Expenses, on second and final reading, while retiring three separate policies that had previously governed expense reimbursement for administrative, professional, and classified employees individually. The board also retired Policy 432 regarding professional employee working periods on first and final reading.

Three new policies received first readings: Policy 612 on purchases not budgeted, Policy 619 on district audits, and Policy 812 on property insurance. Policy 008, the organization chart, was approved on second and final reading.

The meeting's standout moment came during the All-Star Award presentation. Security Officer Karen Christy, recently hired as a night guard, was recognized for quick thinking on just her second night on the job. Director of Safety and Security Jason Young told the board that Christy noticed suspicious activity on campus and assisted local law enforcement in investigating the incident. Young said Christy proved herself dependable, reliable, and detail-oriented. Superintendent Dr. Vitale thanked Christy for keeping the district safe.

The board approved a slate of educational service agreements for the 2024-25 school year, reflecting the district's network of partnerships for students with specialized needs. Agreements were approved with The Watson Institute's Education Center and WISCA programs in Sewickley, The School at McGuire Memorial for regular and extended school year services, and the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit for special education programs. The Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV was contracted for hearing impaired support services.

Concurrent enrollment agreements were approved with three universities: LaRoche University, Point Park University, and Robert Morris University, allowing Seneca Valley high school students to earn college credit. The Point Park agreement was approved pending solicitor review.

A $2,600 Waterway Monitoring, Health and Education Grant was approved for Tom Lavelle to purchase two data logger remote sensors for student science projects.

The board approved an agreement with the Caring Foundation to provide school-based peer support groups for grieving children and adolescents, and with the University of Pittsburgh to participate in the School Partnered Collaborative Care study. Both agreements were for the 2024-25 school year, with the Caring Foundation agreement pending solicitor review.

The board also approved an Orchestra trip to Orlando, Florida, for March 20-24, 2025, under the supervision of Sarah Miller at no cost to the district, students missing two days of instruction. A memorandum of understanding for the Outreach Partnership of Technology was approved with the Seneca Valley Education Association.

The board authorized the sale, donation, or recycling of obsolete books from Ryan Gloyer Middle School.

No public comments were made at the meeting.