The Seneca Valley School Board approved its largest personnel slate of the year at the Sept. 8 work session, bringing on more than 80 new employees across administration, professional, classified, and supplemental positions as the 2025-26 school year got underway.

Board President Eric DiTullio called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. at the Intermediate High School Auditorium with a moment of silence in memory of Sept. 11, 2001. All nine board members were present: Leslie Bredl, Nick Brower, DiTullio, Susan Harrison, Tim Hester, Mike Jacobs, Fred Peterson, Jeff Widdowson, and Kari Zimmer.

The personnel actions included the appointment of Dr. Joseph Ferraracci to administration and professionals Madeline Dulac and David Wingenbach. More than 30 professional substitutes were hired, along with several classified employees and substitutes. A lengthy list of supplemental position appointments covered coaching and extracurricular roles across the district.

Seven resignations were accepted: professional employee Nicole Morrow, classified employees Jayme Gordon, Frederick Buchanan, Jennifer Medici, Linda Sherman, and Julian Moreno, and security officer Heather Schrecengost. Two professionals, Tracey Clarke and Julie Smith, were approved for retirement. Leaves were granted for Director Susan Baker, professionals Staci Hughes, Skylar Meier, and Ashley Graham, and classified employee James Volz.

Notably, retiring Communications Director Linda Andreassi was approved as a consultant under a contracted service arrangement, ensuring continuity as the district transitions her role.

DiTullio motioned, seconded by Harrison, to approve all personnel items. The motion carried on a voice vote with DiTullio and Hester abstaining.

The board approved general fund bills of $392,204.40 from 2024-25 and $3,908,289.52 from 2025-26, plus construction fund bills of $547,700.49, for a combined total of approximately $4.85 million.

In agency reports, Nick Brower shared that Fred Peterson was recognized and thanked for his years of service on the Vo-Tech board at its last meeting. Tim Hester was elected Vice President of the Vo-Tech and reported that approximately 200 Seneca Valley students are attending Butler County Vocational-Technical School for 2025-26. Peterson thanked everyone for their support and called the experience wonderful.

DiTullio reported on the Intermediate Unit IV, noting that Dr. Killmeyer will retire in February 2026.

On the legislative front, DiTullio reported the state budget remains unresolved and discussed upcoming Public School Retirement System legislation. During upcoming PSERS meetings, officials will discuss consequences for school districts not making payments. Bills introduced to the House would provide credible non-school service and eligibility benefits. House Bill 1767 would provide a prefunded cost of living increase between 15.5 and 24 percent, funded through the state without affecting the district's PSERS contribution.

Two public comments were heard: Julie Jones on the topic of Vo-Tech and Stephen deVries on growth plans.

The board reviewed Policy 611 on Purchases Budgeted for a first reading and approved the bus driver list for First Student Inc. Student trips to Washington, D.C. for Orchestra and Vero Beach, Florida for baseball were presented for approval, both at no cost to the district.

DiTullio noted he had sought appointment to a PSBA task force to determine the location of an upcoming conference but was not selected.

The meeting covered dates to remember including the Sept. 12 Veteran Recognition Program at NexTier Stadium, open houses at the Intermediate High School, Senior High School, and Ryan Gloyer Middle School in mid-September, and homecoming festivities set for Sept. 25-27.