Ehrman Crest Elementary School landed a $10,000 grant for a gym equipment makeover from the American Heart Association and NFL Foundation, the Seneca Valley School Board learned at its Sept. 15 action session, a meeting also marked by an emotional farewell to longtime Communications Director Linda Andreassi.

Physical education teacher Sara Coon led the effort that won the national grant by encouraging students to learn Hands-Only CPR through the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge. The collaboration aims to empower students with CPR knowledge to improve cardiac emergency survival rates, with participating schools receiving funding to promote physical activity and lifesaving skills.

Andreassi addressed the board and administration, thanking them for their service and for making children their top priority over her 30 years as communications director. Each board member and administrator present shared remarks of gratitude and well wishes for her retirement.

Board President Eric DiTullio called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. at the Intermediate High School Auditorium. Members Nick Brower, DiTullio, Susan Harrison, Tim Hester, Mike Jacobs, Fred Peterson, Jeff Widdowson, and Kari Zimmer were present. Leslie Bredl was absent.

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 $970,691.78, for a combined total of approximately $5.27 million. Tim Hester motioned, seconded by Susan Harrison, with the motion carrying on a voice vote.

Security officer Logan Ellsworth received the September 2025 All-Star Award, presented by Senior High School Principal Bob Ceh. Ceh described Ellsworth as the person directing traffic on and off campus each day, walking the grounds to ensure safety, and attending after-school events. Students look up to him because he respects them, Ceh said. Dr. McCarty added that Ellsworth has grown as a leader, building leadership throughout the security team with his quiet, logical approach.

Three public comments were heard. Jack McMillin addressed the IHS school project, Julie Jones spoke about the vocational-technical school, and Yvonne Dobrzanski offered well wishes for Andreassi.

The board approved three student trips at no cost to the district: an Orchestra trip to Washington, D.C. from March 19-21, 2026 under Sarah Miller; a baseball program trip to the Jackie Robinson Complex in Vero Beach, Florida from March 13-16, 2026 under coaches Eric Semega, Tom Magill, and Greg Hayward; and a sixth-grade scientific research trip to Yellowstone National Park from Feb. 14-19, 2026 under Jeremiah Friday and Kenneth Cahall.

Multiple educational service agreements were approved for 2025-26, all pending solicitor review: two agreements with The Children's Institute Day School for special education programming and tuition, two with The Watson Institute for the Education Center and WISA-Sewickley programs, and a memorandum of understanding with PA Connecting Communities for transition services addressing employment and independent living skills.

Title I services agreements were approved with both the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV for non-public services.

The board elected the PSBA 2026 officer slate, with Hester motioning and Brower seconding. DiTullio abstained from the vote. Board Policy 611 on Purchases Budgeted received a first reading, additional bus drivers were approved through First Student Inc., and the board approved student adjudication number 2025-26-01.

A doctoral research study was approved for Daniel Guerra, Intermediate High School assistant principal, to conduct research on enhancing classroom practices to address school connectedness.