Document library · Meeting · Source versions

Board of Education (Seneca Valley) · 2025-02-10

Minutes

Retained source text. Read the original for the scope and status of decisions. A minutes label alone does not establish approval status.

Original documents

Original unavailable: this legacy record has retained text without a verified retained PDF binding. Its text remains readable below.

Source text

Seneca Valley School District

SCHOOL BOARD ACTION SESSION
Seneca Valley Senior High School Auditorium - 7 p.m.

Minutes
February 10, 2025

CALL TO ORDER by Mr. Eric DiTullio, President, called the meeting to order at 7:20

p.m.

A. Moment of Silence - The meeting was opened with a moment of silence.

B. Pledge of Allegiance - Grant Morley, sixth grader at Haine Middle School,
continued the board initiative, “I Led the Pledge” by reciting the Pledge of
Allegiance.

C. Roll Call - by Ms. Julia Benson, School Board Secretary, showed the following
members in attendance: Ms. Leslie Bredl, Mr. Nick Brower, Mr. Eric DiTullio, Ms.
Susan Harrison, Mr. Tim Hester, Mr. Mike Jacobs, Mr. Fred Peterson, Mr. Jeff
Widdowson and Ms. Kari Zimmer.

INFORMATION REPORTS

A. Student/Staff Recognition

Students in the Seneca Valley Orchestra program recently participated in the
Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 2, 3 & 5 Orchestra
Festival at Collegiate Academy in Erie, Jan. 9-11. Of special note, Seneca
Valley sophomore bassist Benny James eamed first chair, marking a historic
first for Seneca Valley as he is the first-ever first-chair bassist. As a result of
auditions, six Seneca Valley students now advance to the PMEA Western
Region Orchestra Festival in Johnstown, Pa., later this month. Students are led
by Sarah Miller and Millie Shay, secondary orchestra instructors.

A total of 18 Seneca Valley Band students were selected to participate in the
Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 5 Band Festival
held at Mercer Area High School from Jan. 22-24. Based on audition results,
nine SV students were selected to move on to the PMEA Region 1 Band
Festival to be held in March at Ambridge Area High School. Students are led by
Varden Armstrong, Robert Babick, Brian Croach and Sara Snyder, secondary
instrumental instructors.

Seneca Valley choir senior Ayla Alexander recently earned a position in the
2025 National Association for Music Education’s All-Eastern Treble Choir. The
National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-Eastern Honors Music
Festival convenes every two years and brings together the finest high school

---

musicians from 11 eastern states. Through a highly competitive selection
process, Miss Alexander was chosen for this prestigious event to take place
April 24-25, in Hartford, Connecticut.

4. The Seneca Valley School District is honored to welcome Dr. Eric Eshbach,
Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Principals Association, and Mr. Michael
Allison, Regional Service Specialist for the Pennsylvania Principals
Association, as they formally present the 2025 Pennsylvania Outstanding
Assistant Principal Award to Jeremy Womer, Assistant Principal of Haine
Middle School (HMS). As Pennsylvania’s honoree, Mr. Womer is now in
contention for the esteemed NAESP National Qutstanding Assistant Principal of
the Year award.

Dr. Eshbach and Mr. Allison were in attendance to present Mr. Womer the 2025
Pennsylvania Outstanding Assistant Principal Award. Dr. Eshbach shared that
Mr. Womer has a pride in his role, demonstrating it through his enthusiasm for
his students, school and fellow administrators.

Mr. Allison shared that he had the pleasure of leading the site visit team that
visited Haine Middle School. The team was able to see firsthand the team
approach and collaboration by Mr. Womer and Dr. Erin Wilcher, Principal. He
shared that Mr. Womer is integral in working with teachers and students and
supports the many school clubs, including outdoor learning, cooking programs,
e-sports and the Future Teachers Club. Mr. Allison commented that they visited
when the school was holding Cultural Day, and they had the opportunity to visit
classrooms to see the presenters and students participating. Mr. Allison also
shared that teachers described Mr. Womer as powerful in building connections
with students and families, always knowing their names, and often reinforcing
their out-of-school activities. It was a consensus of the site visit committee that
Mr. Womer leads with passion and care, and his focus is the students. He
concluded by saying that HMS has a tremendous team and congratulated Mr.
Womer on being the 2025 Pennsylvania Outstanding Assistant Principal.

B. Dates to Remember - Ms. Linda Andreassi announced the following dates to
remember:
February 14 Inclement Weather Makeup Day for January 3 closure — students and
staff will be in session
February 14 Valentine’s Day
February 17 President’s Day — Staff In-Service Day — No School for Students

February 27-March 2 | SV All-School Musical, “The Spongebob Musical” will be held in the
SVIHS; tickets available at Tickets for The SpongeBob Musical in
Harmony from ShowClix
(https://www.showclix.com/event/svspongebobmusical)

February 28 Ramadan Begins

February 28 SVAOC End of Second Trimester, Grades K-6

C. All-Star Award, Winner, February 2025 — Ms. Natasha Cumba-Gonzalez,
Paraprofessional at Haine Middle School, was recognized and presented the All-
Star Award by Dr. Erin Wilcher, Haine Middle School Principal. Dr. Wilcher

---

recognized Ms. Cumba-Gonzalez as a paraprofessional in their Short-term
Enhancement Program {STEP) classroom, sharing that she is consistently going
above and beyond in her own professional development and strives to support
students, including translating for those in need. Ms. Cumba-Gonzalez is known for
her calming presence during student crisis and her commitment to the school
community inspires others. Ms. Cumba-Gonzalez is often seen comforting English
as Second Language (ESL) students that need help as they transition to the school
culture and procedures. Dr. Wilcher also shared that she is an asset to the District
and her diverse skills and commitment make her deserving of the All-Star Award.
Mr. DiTullio thanked Ms. Cumba-Gonzalez for all she does. Dr. Vitale shared how
proud everyone is of her, thanked and congratulated Ms. Cumba-Gonzalez.

D. Financial Reports

Operations

Senior High Activities
Intermediate High Activities
Middle School Activities
Athletics

Food Service

Tax Collections

Capital Projects Funds

A o

PUBLIC COMMENT - There was no public comment.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Action Meeting - January 13, 2025

TREASURER’S REPORT

GENERAL FUND BILLS
Grand Total: $4,642,535.23

CONSTRUCTION FUND BILLS
Grand Total: $820,266.45

Mr. Hester motioned, seconded by Ms. Harrison, to approve the minutes, treasurer’s repot, general
fund bills and construction fund bills. The motion passed on a voice vote with those present voting
in the affirmative.

ADMINISTRATION
A. Board Policies -

1. Approved board policy 616 — Payment of Bills - second, final reading.

2. Approved board policy 227.1 — Drug and Alcohol Awareness for Athletic
Programs, Extracurricular Activities, and Student Drivers — second, final
reading.

3. Approved board policy 249 — Anti-Bullying — revised, first reading. Pending
solicitor review.

---

2025-2026 School Calendar - Approved the 2025-2026 school calendar.

Local District Holidays — Approved the resolution regarding local district holidays
for the 2025-2026 school year.

Mr. Widdowson motioned, seconded by Ms. Zimmer, to approve board policies, the 2025-2026
school calendar and local district holidays. The motion passed on a voice vote with those present
voting in the affirmative.

INSTRUCTION

Conferences — Approved conference requests.

Tri-County Workforce Investment Board, Inc Agreement - Approved the

Services Agreement with Tri-County Workforce Investment Board, Inc. regarding
the Tri-County Business-Education Partnership Career Awareness mini-grant in the
amount of $2,000 that was recently awarded to the Raider Robotics program for
costs associated with student competitions.

Student Trips -

1. Approved Ms. Bobi-Jean Alexander to take one student to Bushnell Performing
Arts Center in Hartford, CT. for the All-Eastern Choir. Student will miss two
days of instruction. Costs will be covered from budgeted monies.

2. Approved Col. Keebler, JROTC instructor at SHS, to take students to Gary
Anderson CMP Masksmanship Center in Camp Perry, Ohio, Feb. 12-15, 2025.
Students will miss three days of instruction. The trip is at no cost to the District.

3. Acknowledged Ms. Amy Seelbaugh to take students to Greece and Italy from
March 27-April 4, 2026. Students will miss one day of instruction. The trip is at
no cost to the District. ACIS travel agency will be used.

4. Approved Ms. Sarah Miller and Ms. Millie Shay, RGMS/IHS Orchestra
teachers, to take students to Richland High School in Johnstown, PA. for
Pennsylvania Music Education Association (PMEA) Regions, Feb. 20-22, 2025.
Students will miss two days of instruction.

5. Acknowledged Ms. Julie Parenti to take students to Spain from June 11-19,

2026. The trip is at no cost to the District. Passports travel agency will be used.

Book Disposal — Approved the sale, donation, or recycling of obsolete books from
Ryan Gloyer Middle School.

Cray Youth and Family Services Agreement - Approved the Cray Youth and
Family Services Agreement to provide alternative education for student and
provision for delivery of special education services for the 2024-2025 school year.

Unified Champion Schools Memorandum of Understanding - Approved the
MOU between the Special Olympics Pennsylvania and Ryan Gloyer Middle School

for Unified Champion Schools (Indoor Bocce) for the 2024-2025 school year.

Magic School, Inc. Agreement — Approved the agreement with Magic School, Inc.
for educational technology software in the amount of $27,500 for the remainder of
the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.

---

Consultant Agreement - Approve the consultant agreement with Hannah Brimkov
to provide psychological evaluation services for special education evaluations,
gifted evaluations, and requested consultation as needed for the 2024-2025 school
year.

Grant Disbursement — Grant permission for and to disburse, the RGMS Fitness
Center Upgrade Grant in the amount of $12,132.86 requested by Ms. Annie
Mersing. Funds will be used for new flooring, paint, storage and accessories for the
RGMS Fitness Center.

PA Connecting Communities Memorandum of Understanding - Approve the
MOU with PA Connecting Communities to provide individual transition services to
students and address employment and independent living skills for the 2024-2025
school year. Pending solicitor review.

Master’s Level Speech Language Pathologist Stipend - Approve the master’s
level Speech Language Pathologist stipend for school-based extern placements
grant, funded by Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network
(PaTTAN) in the amount of $5,000 for the spring 2025 semester.

Mr. Hester motioned, seconded by Mr. Brower, to approve conferences, Tri-County Workforce
Investment Board, Inc. Agreement, student trips, book disposal, Cray Youth and Family Services
Agreement, Unified Champion Schools Memorandum of Understanding, Magic School, Inc.
Agreement, consultant agreement, grant disbursement, PA Connecting Communities Memorandum
of Understanding, and the Master’s Level Speech Language Pathologist Stipend. The motion
passed on a voice vote with those present voting in the affirmative.

10. BUSINESS/FINANCE

Budget Transfers — Approved budget transfers.

Tax Collector Compensation Resolution — Approved the resolution establishing
tax collector compensation for the years 2026-2027 through 2029-2030.

Audit Acknowledgement - Acknowledged the local audited financial statements
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024,

Interlocal Participation Agreement with BuyBoard - Approved the Interlocal
Participation Agreement with BuyBoard to allow Seneca valley School District to
become a member of this National Purchasing Cooperative.

Photography Services Agreement - Approved the K-12 portraits agreement with
Jostens, Inc. through the 2027-28 school year.

Mr. Jacobs motioned, seconded by Mr. Widdowson, to approve budget transfers, tax collector
compensation resolution, audit acknowledgment, Interlocal Participation Agreement with
BuyBoard and the photography services agreement. The motion passed on a voice vote with those
present voting in the affirmative.

---

11.

PERSONNEL - Approved the following personnel items that were discussed in executive
session held prior to the meeting:

A. Appointments - Professional Substitutes — Lauren Walsh, Classified — Sunrei Kwen,
Julia Benson, Supplemental -~ Amanda Kalin, Shelly Droz, Danielle Fagan, Internship -
Sonya Kerns

B. Leave - Classified — Margaret Beggy

C. Sabbatical - Nicole Morrow

D. Retirements — Administration — Dr. Matthew McKinley, Professional — Sharon
Kramer, Jeffrey Fraser

Ms. Zimmer motioned, seconded by Mr. Widdowson, to approve appointments, leave, sabbatical
and retirements. The motion carried on a voice vote with those present voting in the affirmative.

12,

13.

14.

LETTERS SENT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD - The following constituents
communicated through the SVSD school board email account after posting the February 3,
2025, public agenda:

a. Hillary Wingard
b. Stephen de Vries

ADJOURNMENT - With nothing to come before the board, Mr. Hester motioned,

seconded by Mr. Widdowson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m. The motion carried on a
voice vote with those present voting in the affirmative.

EXECUTIVE SESSION - An executive session was held prior to this meeting to discuss
personnel items.

Mr. Eric DiTullio, President

Q§_ML S ok

Ms. Julia Benson, School Board Secretary

---

=== MEETING AGENDA ===

Seneca Valley School District
SCHOOL BOARD ACTION SESSION

Seneca Valley Senior High School Auditorium - 7 p.m.

Public Agenda
February 10, 2025
** Subject to Change**

CALL TO ORDER by Mr. Eric DiTullio, President
A.

Moment of Silence

Pledge of Allegiance - “I Led the Pledge” – Grant Morley, Grade 6, Haine Middle
School

Roll Call

INFORMATION REPORTS
A.

Student/Staff Recognition –

1. Students in the Seneca Valley Orchestra program recently participated in the
Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 2, 3 & 5 Orchestra
Festival at Collegiate Academy in Erie, Jan. 9-11. Of special note, Seneca
Valley sophomore bassist Benny James earned first chair, marking a historic
first for Seneca Valley as he is the first-ever first-chair bassist. As a result of
auditions, six Seneca Valley students now advance to the PMEA Western
Region Orchestra Festival in Johnstown, Pa., later this month. Students are led
by Sarah Miller and Millie Shay, secondary orchestra instructors.

2. A total of 18 Seneca Valley Band students were selected to participate in the
Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 5 Band Festival
held at Mercer Area High School from Jan. 22-24. Based on audition results,
nine SV students were selected to move on to the PMEA Region 1 Band
Festival to be held in March at Ambridge Area High School. Students are led by
Varden Armstrong, Robert Babick, Brian Croach and Sara Snyder, secondary
instrumental instructors.

3. Seneca Valley choir senior Ayla Alexander recently earned a position in the
2025 National Association for Music Education’s All-Eastern Treble Choir. The
National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-Eastern Honors Music
Festival convenes every two years and brings together the finest high school
musicians from 11 eastern states. Through a highly competitive selection
process, Miss Alexander was chosen for this prestigious event to take place
April 24-25, in Hartford, Connecticut.

4. The Seneca Valley School District is honored to welcome Dr. Eric Eshbach,
Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Principals Association, and Mr. Michael
Allison, Regional Service Specialist for the Pennsylvania Principals
Association, as they formally present the 2025 Pennsylvania Outstanding
Assistant Principal Award to Jeremy Womer, Assistant Principal of Haine
Middle School. As Pennsylvania’s honoree, Mr. Womer is now in contention
for the esteemed NAESP National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year
award.
B.

Dates to Remember

February 14
February 14
February 17
February 27-March 2

February 28
February 28

Inclement Weather Makeup Day for January 3 closure – students and
staff will be in session
Valentine’s Day
President’s Day – Staff In-Service Day – No School for Students
SV All-School Musical, “The Spongebob Musical” will be held in the
SVIHS; tickets available at Tickets for The SpongeBob Musical in
Harmony from ShowClix
(https://www.showclix.com/event/svspongebobmusical)
Ramadan Begins
SVAOC End of Second Trimester, Grades K-6

All-Star Award, Winner, February 2025 - Natasha Cumba-Gonzalez,
Paraprofessional, Haine Middle School.

Financial Reports

Operations
Senior High Activities
Intermediate High Activities
Middle School Activities
Athletics
Food Service
Tax Collections
Capital Projects Funds

PUBLIC COMMENT

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.

Action Meeting – January 13, 2025

TREASURER’S REPORT

GENERAL FUND BILLS
Grand Total: $4,642,535.23

CONSTRUCTION FUND BILLS
Grand Total: $820,266.45
2

ADMINISTRATION
A.

Board Policies –

1. Approve board policy 616 – Payment of Bills – second, final reading.

2. Approve board policy 227.1 – Drug and Alcohol Awareness for Athletic
Programs, Extracurricular Activities, and Student Drivers – second, final
reading.

3. Approve board policy 249 – Anti-Bullying – revised, first reading. Pending
solicitor review.

2025-2026 School Calendar – Approve the 2025-2026 school calendar.

Local District Holidays – Approve the resolution regarding local district holidays
for the 2025-2026 school year.

INSTRUCTION
A.

Conferences – Approve conference requests.

Tri-County Workforce Investment Board, Inc Agreement – Approve the
Services Agreement with Tri-County Workforce Investment Board, Inc. regarding
the Tri-County Business-Education Partnership Career Awareness mini-grant in the
amount of $2,000 that was recently awarded to the Raider Robotics program for
costs associated with student competitions.

Student Trips

1. Approve Ms. Bobi-Jean Alexander to take one student to Bushnell Performing
Arts Center in Hartford, CT. for the All-Eastern Choir. Student will miss two
days of instruction. Costs will be covered from budgeted monies.

2. Approve Col. Keebler, JROTC instructor at SHS, to take students to Gary
Anderson CMP Masksmanship Center in Camp Perry, Ohio, Feb. 12-15, 2025.
Students will miss three days of instruction. The trip is at no cost to the District.

3. Acknowledge Ms. Amy Seelbaugh to take students to Greece and Italy from
March 27-April 4, 2026. Students will miss one day of instruction. The trip is at
no cost to the District. ACIS travel agency will be used.

4. Approve Ms. Sarah Miller and Ms. Millie Shay, RGMS/IHS Orchestra teachers,
to take students to Richland High School in Johnstown, PA. for Pennsylvania
Music Education Association (PMEA) Regions, Feb. 20-22, 2025. Students will
miss two days of instruction.

5. Acknowledge Ms. Julie Parenti to take students to Spain from June 11-19, 2026.
The trip is at no cost to the District. Passports travel agency will be used.

Book Disposal – Approve the sale, donation, or recycling of obsolete books from
Ryan Gloyer Middle School.

Cray Youth and Family Services Agreement - Approve the Cray Youth and
Family Services Agreement to provide alternative education for student and
provision for delivery of special education services for the 2024-2025 school year.
3

10.

Unified Champion Schools Memorandum of Understanding - Approve the
MOU between the Special Olympics Pennsylvania and Ryan Gloyer Middle School
for Unified Champion Schools (Indoor Bocce) for the 2024-2025 school year.

Magic School, Inc. Agreement – Approve the agreement with Magic School, Inc.
for educational technology software in the amount of $27,500 for the remainder of
the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.

Grant Disbursement – Grant permission for and to disburse, the RGMS Fitness
Center Upgrade Grant in the amount of $12,132.86 requested by Ms. Annie
Mersing. Funds will be used for new flooring, paint, storage and accessories for the
RGMS Fitness Center.

BUSINESS/FINANCE
A.

Budget Transfers – Approve budget transfers.

Tax Collector Compensation Resolution – Approve the resolution establishing tax
collector compensation for the years 2026-2027 through 2029-2030.

Audit Acknowledgement - Acknowledge the local audited financial statements for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.

Interlocal Participation Agreement with BuyBoard - Approve the Interlocal
Participation Agreement with BuyBoard to allow Seneca valley School District to
become a member of this National Purchasing Cooperative.

Photography Services Agreement - Approve the K-12 portraits agreement with
Jostens, Inc. through the 2027-28 school year.

11.

PERSONNEL – Approve appointments, leave, sabbatical and retirements.

12.

LETTERS SENT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD
a.
b.

Hillary Wingard
Stephen de Vries
4

13.

ADJOURNMENT