The Seneca Valley School Board approved a proposed $180,611,403 general fund budget for 2025-26 with a 5.53-mill increase, representing a 4 percent hike, at its May 5 work session. All nine board members were present.

Board president Eric DiTullio explained that over half of the millage increase stems from an unexpected $2.4 million jump in healthcare costs. He emphasized that administration worked to keep the increase at or below the inflation rate. The final budget will go to a vote in June after a public inspection period. The proposed budget is available online at svsd.net and in person at the district office.

"While you are reading the budget, take into consideration how SV compares to neighboring districts, especially those in Allegheny County, not just on the tax rate, but also all the opportunities afforded to our students," DiTullio said.

The board also authorized a bond issuance resolution for Series 2025 general obligation bonds not to exceed $39,500,000 in aggregate principal. DiTullio clarified that this represents a refinancing opportunity, noting that if the bonds do not yield savings, the district will not proceed.

In construction spending, the board awarded a $454,000 contract to Allegheny Installations for Phase IV quarry tile replacement at Ryan Gloyer Middle School through the state COSTARS cooperative purchasing program. General fund bills totaled $2,384,706.29 and construction fund bills were $426,314.60.

The board approved an addendum to the Xerox Business Solutions document management agreement for a 60-month lease covering 25 devices, all of which will be replaced with new machines. The agreement includes 587,000 black-and-white impressions and 73,000 color impressions per year.

Among the evening's highlights was a lengthy celebration of student and staff achievements in music, technology, and competition.

The Seneca Valley Marching Band was named Grand Champions at the NATO Festival's "Parade of Nations" in Norfolk, Virginia, on April 26. The band also earned best percussion, best auxiliaries, and a gold rating. It was the band's fifth appearance in the parade, and they have earned the Grand Champion title every time. Over 100 parade units participated and Seneca Valley was one of only eight high school bands selected nationally.

Thirteen students advanced to the PMEA All-State conference in April across orchestra, wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, and choir. Four students advanced to All-State Orchestra, setting a new school record. Approximately 800 chorus students in grades 6-12 received "Superior" ratings at their Music Performance Assessment. Six high school chorus students advanced to the All-State Choir Festival.

In media and technology, SVTV earned second place in High School Live Sports Broadcast at the Myron Cope High School Athletic Communication Awards. Two seniors were selected as Western PA winners of the National Center for Women and Information Technology Aspirations in Computing award.

Two students earned bronze at the SkillsUSA Pennsylvania State Competition in Hershey: junior Gavin Uber in the TeamWorks Building Construction contest and sophomore Elizabeth Semenenko in photography. Two teams of Haine Elementary fourth-graders earned invitations to the KidWind World Championship in Phoenix for their wind turbine and solar structure designs.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Marie Palano was named recipient of the 2025 Emerging Woman in Education Award by the Tri-State Study Council, which represents over 60 districts.

The board approved $46,354 in grants including $30,000 from Arconic for robotics before- and after-school programs, $7,500 from Highmark Foundation for a functional fitness lab at the Academy of Choice, $6,854 from Highmark for the Ehrman Crest Movement Studio, and $2,000 from the National Dairy Council for a Healthy Start Smoothie Cart.

The board also adopted the K-6 Amplify math resource and approved the SV Community Sign Project, a student initiative from the LEAD committee to install signs promoting school pride district-wide. An Academic Decathlon trip to nationals in Des Moines was approved at no cost to the district.

NexTier Bank was appointed as depository for the 2025-26 school year. The board approved a conflict of interest policy revision on first reading. Fred Peterson reminded attendees that the student achievements presented at the meeting represent the return on investment the community receives from its schools.