The Seneca Valley School Board authorized the district to issue up to $39.5 million in general obligation bonds at its May 12 action session, a significant financial move that will fund capital projects across the district.

The bond issuance resolution, approved on a voice vote, authorizes Series 2025 limited tax bonds and pledges the district's available taxing power for repayment. The board also appointed NexTier Bank as depository for the 2025-26 school year.

But before the business came the goodbyes.

The board honored 32 retiring employees who together represent 841 years of combined service to Seneca Valley. The class of retirees includes Dr. Matthew McKinley, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, who served 36 years — the longest tenure among the group. Others with more than three decades of service include technology facilitator Jodi Albert (35 years), second-grade teacher Elizabeth Cavicchia (35 years, 5 months), technology education teacher James Mileski (33 years, 5 months), school counselor Michelle Kostlich (33 years, 6 months), first-grade teacher Stacey Richard (33 years), Communications Director Linda Andreassi (30 years), CVE Principal DeeAnn Graham (30 years), and fifth-grade teacher Joseph Rubaker (30 years).

“Each of them has been of tremendous value to the District," board member Fred Peterson told the retirees, adding that "retirement is a commencement and not an end.”

Superintendent Dr. Vitale recognized the collective impact of the group and expressed gratitude for their dedication.

In grant approvals, the board accepted $46,354 across four programs. The largest — a $30,000 grant from Arconic — will continue robotics clubs for middle and elementary school students, led by Annie Mersing. A $7,500 Highmark Foundation grant will equip the SVAOC Functional Fitness Lab with strength and conditioning equipment. Highmark also funded a $6,854 grant to enhance the Ehrman Crest Middle School Movement Studio. The National Dairy Council provided $2,000 for a Healthy Start Smoothie Cart.

The board also approved the adoption of the K-6 Amplify math resource, a significant curriculum decision that will affect elementary instruction district-wide.

In a separate item, Dr. Vitale shared that the district secured approximately $10,000 in combined funding from Remake Learning, the Ryan Gloyer Memorial Run, and other grants found by Mersing to stock streams and host a Remake Learning event. Teachers from neighboring districts, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and nonprofit organizations attended to learn fly fishing and fly-tying techniques alongside students.

Two doctoral research studies were approved: one by Hannah Hamilton examining teacher perspectives on PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) implementation, and another by Geoff Childs studying perceptions of JROTC programs' impact on academics, career preparation and risk mitigation.

The board approved a $454,000 contract to Allegheny Installations for Phase IV of the Ryan Gloyer Middle School quarry tile replacement, awarded through the COSTARS cooperative purchasing program. A 60-month Xerox Business Solutions agreement will replace 25 document management devices across the district, covering 587,000 black-and-white impressions and 73,000 color impressions annually.

A revised conflict of interest policy (Policy 626.2) received first-reading approval. Student trips were authorized to Phoenix for the KidWind World Challenge, Universal Studios in Orlando for the secondary chorus in February 2026, and State College for the Junior Classical League.

The board also approved position changes effective July 1, 2025, for Dr. Marie Palano, Ashley Porter and Dr. Anthony Babusci, along with a sabbatical for Rachel Johnson.

General fund bills totaled $2,384,706.29 and construction fund bills totaled $434,264.60. There was no public comment. Mike Jacobs and Jeff Widdowson were absent.

The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Graduation is scheduled for May 29, with May 30 as a rain date. The last day of school for grades K-11 is June 6.