The Seneca Valley Raiders ice hockey team made history this season, and the school board made sure they knew it.

At the April 7 action session, the board honored the team for winning the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League 2025 Class 3A Championship — the first state title in the program's history. Heather Lewis shared highlights from the season, and Coach Tyler Mesisca thanked the board for recognizing the accomplishment.

"We are proud of their accomplishment," board member Tim Hester told the team.

But the evening's most forward-looking moment came from a group of students who pitched the board on installing Seneca Valley community signs across all nine municipalities in the district.

Students Elaina Donahue, Adelyn Paul, Alaina Hahn, Corey Wolfe and Nathan Taylor, advised by SVIHS school counselor Lisa Graham, presented research showing the signs would improve student well-being, attendance, mental health and academic outcomes while strengthening school-community partnerships.

The reflective signs would measure 12 by 18 inches at a cost of $20 each. Nathan Taylor, who is part of the graphic design program at Butler County Area Vocational Technical School, created the sign design with input from students, teachers and administration. Each municipality would decide how many signs to install and where.

The Seneca Valley Foundation has agreed to manage funds and collaborate on long-term maintenance. The students hope to begin installation by fall 2025.

Board members were unanimously enthusiastic. Mike Jacobs offered to help with fundraising. Susan Harrison said the signs would "unite all municipalities in our District." President Eric DiTullio, an SV alumnus, called it a project that "means a lot to him" and asked the students to keep the board updated. He requested the project be added to the May 5 agenda for formal action.

In other recognitions, three Seneca Valley students — Haine Middle School sixth graders Yasmeen Fahs and Ashlynn Kazmarek, and Ryan Gloyer Middle School seventh grader Cameron Swope — were named 2025 Carson Scholars, a distinction earned by just 579 students nationwide. Each received a $1,000 college scholarship.

Ryan Gloyer Middle School also earned recognition at the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education State Conference. Principals Dr. Babusci and Ms. Butschle received the Leonard R. Ferrence Outstanding Administrator Award, and seven RGMS teachers won PAMLE Promising Practitioners Awards.

Rowan Elementary second graders Lili Dessler and Maddie Griffin were named 2025 Litter Hawk Youth Award winners for their anti-litter posters, selected from more than 500 entries statewide. Dessler placed first and Griffin second. Their posters are on display at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg.

Margaret "Peggy" Fennell, Senior High School cafeteria manager for 26 years, received the All-Star Award. SHS Principal Bob Ceh called her "more than a cafeteria manager — she is a cafeteria leader" and noted her upcoming retirement. Dr. McKinley said Fennell "has earned her retirement."

In a notable Vo-Tech report, Hester shared that Iron Workers Local Union 3 contacted the school due to the quality of its graduates and administered a qualifying test on-site. Approximately 16 to 20 students passed and have been hired into the union, with some students over 18 able to begin work before graduation.

The board approved $11,086,418.04 in general fund bills and $390,694.85 in construction fund bills on a voice vote. Other action items included a $2,000 DNA Sequencing Local Waterways Grant for teacher Tom Lavelle, a service agreement with MHY Family Services for summer 2025 extended school year programming, a settlement with Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School resolving 2016-17 tuition reconciliation, and a photography services agreement with Glory Days Photography through 2027-28.

Public comment was heard from Diane Rafferty, who advocated for adding American Sign Language to the curriculum, and Omar Ross, who offered general encouragement.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Leslie Bredl and Nick Brower were absent.