Three Seneca Valley School Board members were honored for a combined 40 years of service at the Nov. 4 work session, as the Pennsylvania School Board Association recognized their milestone dedication to the district.

PSBA Member Outreach Manager Lena Hannah attended the meeting to recognize Jeff Widdowson for 20 years of service, Eric DiTullio for 15 years, and Mike Jacobs for five years. Superintendent Dr. Vitale thanked Hannah for attending and representing the board members.

DiTullio called the meeting to order at 7:14 p.m. at the Senior High School Auditorium with all nine board members present: Leslie Bredl, Nick Brower, DiTullio, Susan Harrison, Tim Hester, Mike Jacobs, Fred Peterson, Jeff Widdowson, and Kari Zimmer.

The board approved general fund bills totaling $4,470,712.70 and construction fund bills of $251,080. Nick Brower motioned, seconded by Susan Harrison, to approve personnel items on a roll call vote with all present voting in the affirmative.

DiTullio highlighted the approval of Ivan Aranha as the new assistant principal at Ehrman Crest Middle School, congratulating and welcoming him to the district. Other personnel actions included the retirement of Director Susan Baker, professional Elizabeth Cavicchia, and classified employee Susan Greco. Eleven classified and professional leaves were approved, along with multiple supplemental and substitute appointments.

Three grants totaling $10,622 were presented for approval. A $5,122 PARSS Grant requested by Todd Pesavento will fund an XTool S1 laser engraver. Annie Mersing requested both a $3,500 Water Play and Outdoor Learning Grant for a Triple Waterway Exploration Station at Haine Elementary School and a $2,000 Raider Robotics Grant for competition registration and transportation. DiTullio expressed appreciation for Mersing and other teachers who seek grant funding to enhance student opportunities.

Kari Zimmer reported on the PSBA Delegate Assembly held Nov. 2, where she served as the board's delegate. With 236 online and 46 in-person participants, four platform issues passed with considerable margins: substantial state financial support distributed fairly, charter school reform and accountability, prioritizing student mental health with dedicated funding, and school safety. The assembly also approved advocacy principles for universal free lunch and growing public education as a profession, while tabling student assessment.

DiTullio reported on the Intermediate Unit IV, noting development of a policy allowing removal of board members who miss two consecutive meetings without explanation. He noted the Nov. 5 election would bring new House and Senate members.

The board approved Board Policy 622 on GASB Statement 34 for second and final reading, authorized administration to pay December bills, seek bids for 2025-26 supplies and equipment, and approved joint purchasing agreements with both the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV for the coming school year. Budget transfers were also approved.

DiTullio reflected on the second annual SFC Ryan Gloyer Memorial Run held Nov. 3, thanking Annie Mersing and her team for growing the event, which drew more vendors and participants than its inaugural year. Dr. Vitale noted how many families participated together, reflecting on Ryan Gloyer's sacrifice. Jacobs recognized that the school educates students about who Ryan was.

Several constituents communicated through the board email after the Oct. 14 agenda posting, including Everett Beck, Julia Garcia, Alex Homick, and Ray Tucker on student assignment, and Tina Fazio and Crystal Belsterling.

No public comments were made at the meeting.