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Back to current recordSeneca Valley School District SCHOOL BOARD ACTION SESSION Seneca Valley Intermediate High School Auditorium - 7 p.m. Minutes October 14, 2024 CALL TO ORDER by Mr. Eric DiTullio, President, called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m. A. Moment of Silence - The meeting was called to order with a moment of silence. B. Pledge of Allegiance - Clara Sipp, third grader at Haine Elementary 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 1. Congratulations to Mila Jaymes, second grade student at Ehrman Crest Elementary School. Mila was recently chosen to star in the nationwide tour of Dr. Suess’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Mila will appear as the beloved character Cindy Lou Who, and is taking part in an 18-city tour, November through December. Mila was chosen from thousands of children after multiple auditions to star in the leading role.
Congratulations to Mr. Tom Lavelle, a Seneca Valley Intermediate High School Science Teacher. Mr. Lavelle was invited to speak at the recent Government eDNA Working Group Conference hosted by the Columbus Zoo. The focus of his presentation was to highlight some of the dynamic student work being conducted in the SV Center for Biotechnology Research, including single- species detection studies for hard-to-find animals, such as hellbender salamanders and queen snakes, to metabarcoding studies where genetics are used to determine all fish species in local waterways. The conference was attended by over 100 top government conservation geneticists from around the country, including the United States Geological Survey (USGS), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, The Smithsonian Institute of Natural History, United States Department of Agriculture and more. --- 5697 B. Dates to Remember - Ms. Linda Andreassi announced the following dates to
remember: October 16 Sukkot Begins October 23 Winter Sport Drug Testing and Concussion Testing — SHS Athletic Offices - 2:45 p.m, October 24 SVAQC End of First Nine Weeks, Grades 7-12 October 26 ACT Testing — SHS October 26 PSAT Testing — SHS October 28 SV End of First Nine Weeks, Grades 7-12 October 31 Halloween November 1 Diwali November 3 Daylight Savings Time Ends November 3 Seneca Valley Foundation’s Second Annual Ryan Gloyer Memorial Run/Walk presented by Westinghouse — Secondary Campus — 9 a.m. | More information at SFC Ryan Gloyer Memorial Run (svsd.net) | November 4 School Board Work Session — 7 p.m. — SHSHS Auditorium C. All-Star Award, Winner, October 2024 - Peggy Bieber, an ABC Transit, Inc. Bus Driver, was recognized and presented the All-Star Award by Mr. John Demkowicz, Director of Transportation. Mr. Demkowicz shared that Ms. Bieber exemplifies the qualities of an All-Star Award winner in all she does, recognizing that she knows her students by name, is responsive, respectful, empathetic and caring. Mr. Demkowicz also shared that she is extremely dedicated to her students and families, making a lasting effect on many students lives over the years. Dr. Vitale recognized all that Ms. Bieber does and thanked her for her dedication and commitment to the children. Ms. Harrison, Mr. Peterson and Mr. DiTullio echoed Dr. Vitale’s remarks and thanked Ms. Bieber on behalf of the Board. D. Financial Reports
1. Operations 2. Senior High Activities 3. Intermediate High Activities 4, Middle School Activities 5. Athletics 6. Tax Collections 7. Capital Projects Funds PUBLIC COMMENT - Public comment was made by Ms. Aimee McGrath regarding the transportation driver shortage and the wage of drivers. Dr. Vitale thanked Ms. McGrath for her service and shared that her comments would be shared with the president and owner of the transportation companies. --- 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 569g A. Work Session — September 9, 2024 B. Action Meeting — September 16, 2024 5. TREASURER’S REPORT 6. GENERAL FUND BILLS Grand Total: $4,724,341.53 7. CONSTRUCTION FUND BILLS Grand Total: $2,360,744.13 Ms. Harrison motioned, seconded by Mr. Widdowson, to approve the minute’s, treasurer’s report, general fund bills and construction fund bills. The motion passed on a roll call vote with those present voting in the affirmative. 8. ADMINISTRATION A. Board Policies — 1. Approved board policy 612 — Purchases not Budgeted — new, second and final reading. 2. Approved board policy 619 — District Audit - new, second and final reading. 3. Approved board policy 812 — Property Insurance - new, second and final reading. 4. Approved board policy 622 — GASB Statement 34 — revised, first reading. Mr. Widdowson motioned, seconded by Mr. Hester, to approve board policies. The motion carried on a roll call vote with those present voting in the affirmative.
9. INSTRUCTION A. Conferences — Approved conference requests. B. Non-Public Title I Services Agreement - Approved the Third-Party Letter of Agreement for Nonpublic Title I Services with the Midwestern Intermediate Unit 1V for the 2024-25 school year. C. Grant Disbursements — Granted permission for and to disburse, the following grants: 1. The Holocaust Curriculum and LIGHT Center Development Grant in the amount of $1,000 requested by Ms. Michele Russo. Funds will be used to purchase a set of graphic novels about the Holocaust that is in the tenth-grade curriculum, to provide transportation to and the costs related to the programming for the Holocaust Center. 2. The Living Laboratory and School Garden Grant in the amount of $7,447.07 requested by Ms. Mersing and Dr. Wilcher. Funds will be used to create learning opportunities that serve as hands-on experiences that introduce topics such as aquaponics, garden beds and embryology. 3 --- 5699 3. The School Security Personnel Costs Grant in the amount of $232,668.00 requested by Ms. Annie Mersing and Mr. Jason Young. Funds will be used for personnel cost of school security officers.
4. The Heros and Helpers 2024 Grant in the amount of $2,500 requested by Ms. Jen Shipe, Dr. Wilcher and Ms. Annie Mersing. Funds will be used to support Haine Middle School’s “Shop with a Cop” event with Cranberry Township Police Department. D. Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) Title I Services Agreement - Approved the AlU services agreement for Title I Non-Public services for the 2024-25 school year. E. The Watson Institute (Education Center) Service Agreement - Approved the agreement with The Watson Institute for the provision of educational services for student enrolled at The Education Center Sewickley for the 2024-25 school year. Mr. Hester motioned, seconded by Ms. Zimmer to approve conferences, Non-Public Title I Services Agreement, grant disbursements, Allegheny Intermediate Unity (AIU) Title I Services Agreement and The Watson Institute (Education Center) Service Agreement. The motion carried on a roll call vote with those present voting in the affirmative.
10. BUSINESS/FINANCE A. Budget Transfers — Approved budget transfers. B. Natural Gas Agreement Extensions - Approved three-year contract extensions with NRG/Direct Energy for Natural Gas on the Columbia Gas System with a Basis Price of (-$0.267) per dekatherm and with UGI for Natural Gas on the Peoples Gas System with a Basis Price of (-$0.50) per dekatherm for the term September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2028 as recommended by the Western Pennsylvania Natural Gas Consortium (AIU3 joint purchasing). C. Certificate of Deposit Placement Program - Approved a program application and investment advisory agreement with the Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust. D. Postage Meter Lease Renewal - Approved a renewal lease agreement with Quadient for a replacement postage meter machine for a 60-month term with a beginning effective date of August 14, 2025. E. Food Service Equipment - Approved the sale of any food service equipment that is deemed to have resale value and the disposal of any items that are not suitable for resale in a responsible manner. Mr. Jacobs motioned, seconded by Mr. Brower to approve budget transfers, natural gas agreement extensions, certificate of deposit placement program, postage meter lease renewal and food service equipment. The motion carried on a roll call 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 — Taylor Healy, Tanner Kantz, Erin Laprade, Brittaney Lucas, Supplementals — Anthony DeRosa, Andrea Gray, Internship — Raelyn Horne B. Leaves - Professional — Blake Walter, Classified — Anna Capone C. Employment Contract - Dr. Marie Palano, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Assessment Education; for a five-year term commencing effective January 19, 2025, and ending January 18, 2030, Mr. Widdowson motioned, seconded by Ms. Bredl to approve appointments, leaves and employment contract. The motion passed on a roll call vote with those present voting in the affirmative. 12. LETTERS SENT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD - The following constituents communicated through the SVSD school board email account after posting the October 7, 2024, public agenda: Candace Kantz and Amanda Brewster Abdulelah Alfayez Laura Wible Crystal Belsterling Gianni Varlotta - student assignment Zeke Shabro - student assignment Quentin Kelley - student assignment Evan Hess — student assignment Delaney Myers - student assignment Canon Klein - student assignment Bobby Tammariello - student assignment Colton MacDougall - student assignment
. Samantha Wagstaff - student assignment Kale Baker - student assignment Rylee Dick — student assignment Johnny Inks — student assignment Addison Hartzell - student assignment Claire Jacobs — student assignment Julia Miller - student assignment [sabella Flatt — student assignment Jaeden Hewett — student assignment Eiken Downing — student assignment . Aaden Heneghan ~ student assignment Presley Latimer - student assignment Connor Gocella - student assignment Gianna Zisko - student assignment aa. Olivia Weiss — student assignment bb. Cruz Sanders - student assignment cc. Elliot Gawne - student assignment dd. Isabella Landy - student assignment ee. Robin Sommerville - student assignment ff. Dylan Greer - student assignment gg. Sam Keefer - student assignment NEHECETODOTOBE - AT TR ™0 A0 op --- hh. Braden Donaldson - student assignment 5701 i1. Ella Paxton - student assignment j)- Adam Wise - student assignment kk. Adriana Simon - student assignment
1. Elyse Cilik - student assignment Mr. DiTullio shared that many of the letters that were received were from a persuasive writing assignment by a Seneca Valley Intermediate High School English teacher. Mr. Jacobs commented that he appreciated the assignment that was given and that he enjoyed reading the different viewpoints from the students. 13. ADJOURNMENT - With nothing to come before the board, Ms. Bredl motioned, seconded by Mr. Widdowson to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 p.m. The motion carried on a voice vote with those present voting in the affirmative. 14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - An executive session was held prior to this meeting to discuss personnel items. Mr. Eric DiTullio, President (b G lia Benson, School Board Secretary --- === MEETING AGENDA === Seneca Valley School District SCHOOL BOARD ACTION SESSION Seneca Valley Intermediate High School Auditorium - 7 p.m. Public Agenda October 14, 2024 ** Subject to Change** 1. 2. CALL TO ORDER by Mr. Eric DiTullio, President A. Moment of Silence B. Pledge of Allegiance - “I Led the Pledge” – Clara Sipp, third grade, Haine Elementary School. C. Roll Call INFORMATION REPORTS A. Student/Staff Recognition – Ms. Linda Andreassi
1. Congratulations to Mila Jaymes, second grade student at Ehrman Crest Elementary School. Mila was recently chosen to star in the nationwide tour of Dr. Suess’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Mila will appear as the beloved character Cindy Lou Who, and is taking part in an 18-city tour, November through December. Mila was chosen from thousands of children after multiple auditions to star in the leading role. 2. Congratulations to Mr. Tom Lavelle, a Seneca Valley Intermediate High School Science Teacher. Mr. Lavelle was invited to speak at the recent Government eDNA Working Group Conference hosted by the Columbus Zoo. The focus of his presentation was to highlight some of the dynamic student work being conducted in the SV Center for Biotechnology Research, including singlespecies detection studies for hard-to-find animals, such as hellbender salamanders and queen snakes, to metabarcoding studies where genetics are used to determine all fish species in local waterways. The conference was attended by over 100 top government conservation geneticists from around the country, including the United States Geological Survey (USGS), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, The Smithsonian Institute of Natural History, United States Department of Agriculture and more. B. Dates to Remember October 16 October 23
Sukkot Begins Winter Sport Drug Testing and Concussion Testing – SHS Athletic Offices - 2:45 p.m. SVAOC End of First Nine Weeks, Grades 7-12 ACT Testing – SHS PSAT Testing – SHS SV End of First Nine Weeks, Grades 7-12 Halloween Diwali Daylight Savings Time Ends Seneca Valley Foundation’s Second Annual Ryan Gloyer Memorial Run/Walk presented by Westinghouse – Secondary Campus – 9 a.m. More information at SFC Ryan Gloyer Memorial Run (svsd.net) School Board Work Session – 7 p.m. – SHSHS Auditorium October 24 October 26 October 26 October 28 October 31 November 1 November 3 November 3 November 4 C. All-Star Award, Winner, October 2024 – Peggy Bieber, an ABC Transit, Inc. Bus Driver D. Financial Reports
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Operations Senior High Activities Intermediate High Activities Middle School Activities Athletics Tax Collections Capital Projects Funds 3. PUBLIC COMMENT 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. B. Work Session – September 9, 2024 Action Meeting – September 16, 2024 5. TREASURER’S REPORT 6. GENERAL FUND BILLS Grand Total: $4,724,341.53 7. CONSTRUCTION FUND BILLS Grand Total: $2,360,744.13 2 8. ADMINISTRATION A. Board Policies – 1. 2. 3. 4. 9. Approve board policy 612 – Purchases not Budgeted – new, second and final reading. Approve board policy 619 – District Audit – new, second and final reading. Approve board policy 812 – Property Insurance – new, second and final reading. Approve board policy 622 – GASB Statement 34 – revised, first reading. INSTRUCTION A. Conferences – Approve conference requests. B. Non-Public Title I Services Agreement - Approve the Third-Party Letter of Agreement for Nonpublic Title I Services with the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV for the 2024-25 school year. C. Grant Disbursements - Grant permission to apply for and disburse, if approved, the following grants: 1. The Holocaust Curriculum and LIGHT Center Development Grant in the amount of $1,000 requested by Ms. Michele Russo. Funds will be used to purchase a set of graphic novels about the Holocaust that is in the tenth-grade curriculum, to provide transportation to and the costs related to the programming for the Holocaust Center.
2. The Living Laboratory and School Garden Grant in the amount of $7,447.07 requested by Ms. Mersing and Dr. Wilcher. Funds will be used to create learning opportunities that serve as hands-on experiences that introduce topics such as aquaponics, garden beds and embryology. 3. The School Security Personnel Costs Grant in the amount of $232,668.00 requested by Ms. Annie Mersing and Mr. Jason Young. Funds will be used for personnel cost of school security officers. 4. The Heros and Helpers 2024 Grant in the amount of $2,500 requested by Ms. Jen Shipe, Dr. Wilcher and Ms. Annie Mersing. Funds will be used to support Haine Middle School’s “Shop with a Cop” event with Cranberry Township Police Department.
10. D. Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) Title I Services Agreement - Approve the AIU services agreement for Title I Non-Public services for the 2024-25 school year. E. The Watson Institute (Education Center) Service Agreement - Approve the agreement with The Watson Institute for the provision of educational services for student enrolled at The Education Center Sewickley for the 2024-25 school year. BUSINESS/FINANCE A. Budget Transfers – Approve budget transfers. 3 B. Natural Gas Agreement Extensions - Approve three-year contract extensions with NRG/Direct Energy for Natural Gas on the Columbia Gas System with a Basis Price of (-$0.267) per dekatherm and with UGI for Natural Gas on the Peoples Gas System with a Basis Price of (-$0.50) per dekatherm for the term September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2028 as recommended by the Western Pennsylvania Natural Gas Consortium (AIU3 joint purchasing). C. Certificate of Deposit Placement Program - Approve a program application and investment advisory agreement with the Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust. D. Postage Meter Lease Renewal - Approve a renewal lease agreement with Quadient for a replacement postage meter machine for a 60-month term with a beginning effective date of August 14, 2025. E. Food Service Equipment - Approve the sale of any food service equipment that is deemed to have resale value and the disposal of any items that are not suitable for resale in a responsible manner.
11. PERSONNEL – Approve appointments, leaves and employment contract.
12. LETTERS SENT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD a. Candace Kantz and Amanda Brewster b. Abdulelah Alfayez c. Laura Wible d. Crystal Belsterling e. Gianni Varlotta – student assignment f. Zeke Shabro – student assignment g. Quentin Kelley - student assignment h. Evan Hess – student assignment i. Delaney Myers - student assignment j. Canon Klein - student assignment k. Bobby Tammariello - student assignment l. Colton MacDougall – student assignment m. Samantha Wagstaff - student assignment n. Kale Baker - student assignment o. Rylee Dick – student assignment p. Johnny Inks – student assignment q. Addison Hartzell – student assignment r. Claire Jacobs – student assignment s. Julia Miller – student assignment t. Isabella Flatt – student assignment u. Jaeden Hewett – student assignment v. Eiken Downing – student assignment w. Aaden Heneghan – student assignment x. Presley Latimer – student assignment y. Connor Gocella - student assignment z. Gianna Zisko - student assignment aa. Olivia Weiss – student assignment bb. Cruz Sanders - student assignment 4 cc. Elliot Gawne - student assignment dd. Isabella Landy - student assignment ee. Robin Sommerville - student assignment ff. Dylan Greer - student assignment gg. Sam Keefer - student assignment hh. Braden Donaldson - student assignment ii. Ella Paxton - student assignment jj. Adam Wise - student assignment kk. Adriana Simon - student assignment ll. Elyse Cilik - student assignment 13. ADJOURNMENT 5