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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 May 11, 2026 CALL TO ORDER by Mr. Eric DiTullio, President, called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. A. B. Cc. Moment of Silence — The meeting was opened with a moment of silence. Pledge of Allegiance - Mr. DiTullio led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Roll Call — by Ms. Julia Benson, School Board Secretary, showed the following members in attendance: Mr. Nick Brower, Mr. Eric DiTullio, Mr. Mark Gartner, Ms. Susan Harrison, Mr. Tim Hester, Ms. Allyson Mazzoni, Mr. Travis Savitt-Kraft and Ms. Kari Zimmer. Mr. Mike Jacobs was absent. INFORMATION REPORTS A. Student/Staff Recognition — It is with our deepest appreciation that we congratulate the following 2025-26 Seneca Valley School District retirees for their unwavering dedication and commitment to our students and schools. Together, this distinguished group represents nearly 940 years of combined service at Seneca Valley:
18. 19, Terri Keasey — IHS Classroom Paraprofessional - 14 years 4 months Rosalie Bentley — IHS Cafeteria - 23 years April Householder — CVE Cafeteria - 20 years 2 months Catherine Lusty - ECMS Paraprofessional - 19 years 8 months Lisa Salak — Routing Specialist - 23 years 4 months Dana Nicklas — ECE Kindergarten - 26 Years 5 Months Tracey Clarke - HMS Grade 6 - 24 years 5 months Michelle Huffman —- CVE Speech & Language - 27 years 3 months Julie Smith - RGMS Science - 20 years 5 months . Michael Manipole - RGMS Health and Physical Education - 31 years 5 months . Rose Walsh — ECE Classroom Paraprofessional - 26 years 10 Months . Susan Huber — HMS Grade 5 - 30 years . Julie Kaufman — HMS Grade 5 - 31 years . Jody Householder — SHS Paraprofessional/Job Coach - 20 years . Dr. Rebecca Rockey — SHS School Counselor - 16 years 10 months . Andrea DeFabbo — CVE Grade 3 - 29 years . Joni Klotz - ECE Grade 3 - 32 years Sandy Thompson — ECMS CIRC - 30 years Beth Clegg — HES Reading - 16 years 20. Jamie Zeigler IHS Chemistry - 25 years 21. Chris Clutter — IHS Social Studies - 28 years 22. Jason Shorr — IHS Art - 27 years 23. Sandra Bilbao - RGMS Spanish - 28 years 10 months 24. Gregory Hayward — SHS Social Studies - 33 years 25. James Lucot SHS Social Studies - 23 years 26. Thomas Magill - SHS Mathematics - 33 years 11 months 27. Rebecca Finch — SHS Biology - 33 years 28. Todd Schoeffel - SHS Health and Physical Education - 33 years 11 months
29. Cynthia Peterson - SHS Chemistry - 26 years 30. Darla Ramirez-Lightner —- SHS Coordinator of Collegiate and Career/School Counselor - 33 years 10 months 31. Bobi-Jean Alexander —- SHS Music - 34 years 3 months 32. Kathryn Henderson — ECE Grade 2 - 30 years 33. Jacqueline Larson - HES CIRC/Librarian - 23 years 34. Michelle Eppinger ~ SHS Paraprofessional/Job Coach - 19 years 5 months 35. Carol-Lynn Dubovi — SHS Autistic/Emotional Support - 18 years 4 months 36. Traci Kuntz - RGMS Science - 30 years 37. Terry Serman — IHS Classroom Paraprofessional - 17 years 4 months Mr. DiTullio, Ms. Zimmer and Mr. Savitt-Kraft shared their appreciation to those retiring. Ms. Zimmer recognized that education has changed over the years and that she is proud of the amazing people who are the heart of the District. Dr. Vitale congratulated those who were retiring, sharing her happiness for them in their next chapter. She shared that she is so proud of everyone who makes this District the work family that it is and expressed her gratitude for each of them and their families.
B. Dates to Remember ~ Mr. Ian Hunter announced the following dates to remember: May Mental Health Awareness Month May National Military Appreciation Month ‘May 11-14 Keystone Exams May 14 Remake Learning Day - Stream Guardians: A Professional Development Day for Educators on Fly Fishing and Utilizing Streams for Engaging | Environmental Education at RGMS, 8 a.m. — 2:30 p.m. ‘May 15 Staff In-Service Day — No School for Students ‘May 16 Prom — Grand March begins at 5:30 p.m. May 16 Armed Forces Day May 19 Remake Learning Day - Play with Purpose: Structured Dramatic Play in Action at Ehrman Crest Elementary — Open to incoming kindergartners and their families from 6 — 7:30 p.m., Open House-style. May 21 Center for Biotechnology Open House, 6-7:30 p.m., SVIHS Library and Labs; RSVP by May 15 May 25 Memorial Day Holiday — No School for Students and Staff May 28 Graduation Day (May 29 is Rain Date) May 30 Seneca Valley 3rd Annual Best Buddies Walk, 9 a.m. — Noon, North Boundary Park; Signup at Seneca Valley Best Buddies Walk runsignup.com) June 1 School Board Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. - SVIHS Auditorium June 5 Last Day of School for Grades K-11 June 8 Staff In-Service Day Cc. Financial Reports MAW YDS Operations Senior High Activities Intermediate High Activities Athletics Food Service Tax Collections Capital Projects Funds
3. PUBLIC COMMENT ~ Public comments were heard from: A. Julie Jones on the topic of vo-tech. B. Jack McMillin on the topic of taxes. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Action Meeting — April 20, 2026 5. TREASURER’S REPORT 6. GENERAL FUND BILLS Grand Total: $2,584,017.43 7. CONSTRUCTION FUND BILLS Grand Total: $512,043.35 Ms. Harrison motioned, seconded by Mr. Brower, to approve the minutes, treasurer’s report, general fund bills and construction fund bills. The motion carried on a voice vote with those present voting in the affirmative. 8. ADMINISTRATION A. Research Studies - Approved the following research studies: iG
Ms. Beth Allen-Boyle, Ehrman Crest Elementary School Teacher, to conduct a doctoral research study within the District titled “Reimagining Tools for Teachers: A Qualitative Study of Generative Al and K-12 Educators' Perceptions Amid the National Teacher Shortage’. The study will explore how general and special education teachers use generative AI to address workload, burnout, and challenges related to the teacher shortage, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model as frameworks. This study is approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and includes a survey to K-12 staff, with participation strictly voluntary. Dr. Karen K. Resendes, Professor of Biology Westminster College, to conduct a research study titled, “Determining the impact of the Seneca Valley School District Biotechnology Center on Student and Alumni Experiences, Skills, and 3 Future Preparation”. This study will involve surveying current high school students and alumni from the Seneca Valley School District on demographic information and their perceptions of the impact of their participation in the Seneca Valley Biotechnology Center Programs on their high school experience, skill development and future preparation (college and/or career). This study is approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), with participation strictly voluntary. B. Board Meeting Dates — Approved the August 2026 through June 2027 School Board Meeting Dates.
Cc. Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) Agreement — Approved the PSBA Policy Services Member Agreement for the 2026-27 school year. D. Settlement Agreement — Approved the Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release with CH&D Enterprises, INC. E. Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School (BCAVTS) Authority Board Member — Appointed Mr. Mike Jacobs to the BCAVTS Authority Board. F, Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School (BCAVTS) Authority Board Alternate Member ~ Appointed Ms. Allyson Mazzoni to the BCAVTS Authority Board as the Authority Board alternate member. Mr. Hester shared that the BCAVTS Authority Board meets twice a year. During the meetings, the Board reviews oversight of the BCAVTS Joint Operating Committee. Mr. Hester shared his appreciation for Mr. Jacobs and Ms. Mazzoni for accepting these roles. Mr. Hester motioned, seconded by Ms. Harrison, to approve research studies, board meeting dates, Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) Agreement, settlement agreement, Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School (BCAVTS) Authority Board Member and Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School (BCAVTS) Authority Board Alternate Member. The motion carried on a voice vote with those present voting in the affirmative. G. Board Policy — Approved board policy 217 — Graduation Requirements ~ first and final reading.
Mr. Gartner asked the Board to reconsider the elimination of .5 credit of physical education to create room for the personal finance course. He recognized that the personal finance course is valuable, sharing that the health and well-being for students is equally important. He will not vote in favor of this policy and has asked that the Board table Policy 217. Ms. Zimmer commented that elimination of .5 credit of physical education would have positively impacted her children. She shared that if this policy is approved, during three out of the four school years, students will have a physical education requirement. This then gives them flexibility to determine going forward one year to not have to take physical education. From her personal experience, her children would have benefited from this their junior year, recognizing that each student will have the opportunity to choose which year they don’t take the physical education requirement. If her children had this option, they would not have had to take a cyber physical education class over the summer, which would have provided cost and time savings for her family. 4 Additionally, she shared that she looked into other neighboring districts and noted that Seneca Valley has the highest requirements at 2.5 credits. Ms. Harrison shared that if a student does want to take physical education all four years, they have this as an option and can choose to do so as an elective.
Mr. Hester motioned, seconded by Mr. Brower, to approve the board policy. The motion carried on a roll call vote with Ms. Harrison, Mr. Hester, Ms. Zimmer, Mr. Brower and Mr. DiTullio voting in the affirmative and Mr. Savitt-Kraft, Mr. Gartner and Ms. Mazzoni voting no.
9. INSTRUCTION A. Student Trip —- Approved Ms. Kelly Weston, Ms. Megan Oldenski, Ms. Erin Bosley and Mr. David Lowe to take students to the PJAS State Competition at Penn State University, from May 17-19, 2026. Students will miss two days of instruction and the trip is at no cost to the District. B. Conferences — Approved conference requests. Ms. Harrison motioned, seconded by Mr. Brower, to approve the student trip and conferences. The motion carried on a voice vote with those present voting in the affirmative. 10. | BUSINESS/FINANCE A. Budget Transfers — Approved budget transfers. B. Stepping Stones Agreement — Approved the one-year renewal agreement with Stepping Stones, Inc. to provide extended-day services in each elementary school for the 2026-27 school year. (oy Legal Fee Adjustment - Approved the legal fee adjustment proposal from Tucker Arensberg effective July 1, 2026. D. Bid Awards — Awarded the following contracts for the Renovation of Toilet Rooms at Rowan Elementary School: General Construction Contract to E&G Development. HVAC Construction Contract to W.G. Tomko. Plumbing Construction Contract to First American Industries, Inc. Electrical Construction Contract to Blackhawk Neff, Inc. b> i by be Mr. Hester motioned, seconded by Ms. Zimmer, to approve budget transfers, Stepping Stones Agreement, legal fee adjustment and bid awards. The motion carried 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. Resignations — Professional — Anne Bernacki, Supplemental — Amanda Chaousy 5901 B. Appointments — Professional —- Emily McMichael, Professional Substitutes Emma Conrad, Bronwyn Dix, Julia Johnson, Christi Karcher, Angel Munzek, Camden Thomas, Classified Substitutes - Alexis Baney, Christine Zacherl, Supplementals Lara Meyer, Jennifer Exler, Julie Parenti, Andrea Platt, Erik Carlberg, Madelyn Cornman, Christopher Titus, Michael Henry, Katherine Langley, Mackenzie Gaydosh, James Ziegler, Linda Plesniak, Alicia Scopellite, Matthew Pournaras, Marlesse Hames, John Roman, Catherine Smolter, Kevin Wildrick, James Pyle, Megan Meeder, Crystal Cypher, Sarah McKissick, Tracey Lowe, Kenneth Macek, Matthew Pournaras, Megan Bonistalli, Jacqueline Eriksen, Steven Fortunato, Alex Krajniak, Kenneth Macek, Matthew Pournaras, Tracey Lowe, Sarah McKissick, Kwang-Suk Choi, Kelly Levere, Erin Scott, Tracy Glass, Robert Matchett, Phoebe Winey, David Wingenbach, Amanda Lesney, Marlina Hasara, Sarah Miller, Matilda Shay, Kurt McNaught, Melissa Womer, Kevin Wildrick, Megan Meeder, James Pyle, Grace Rupik, Tammy Wylie, Melissa Cipollone, David Gerrich, Angela Reaves, Alyssa Mazzoni, Adelina DiTullio C. Leaves — Professionals - Leah Vogel, Kelsey Pappas, Shauna Stupak, Lauren Calderone, Classified — Tabitha Wilson.
D. Affiliation Agreement — Approved the affiliation agreement with Seneca Valley School District and Messiah University. E. Retirement - Classified ~ Tamara Watson Ms. Zimmer motioned, seconded by Mr. Savitt-Kraft, to approve appointments, leaves, affiliation agreement and the retirement. The motion carried on a voice vote with those present voting in the affirmative and Mr. DiTullio abstaining.
12. LETTERS SENT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD - The following constituents communicated through the SVSD school board email account after posting the May 4, 2026, public agenda: Lou Ann Soltesz Julie Jones Richard Jones Thor Chytil Candace Kantz Brandon Nulph Marie Dufalla mmeaoge 13. ADJOURNMENT - With nothing further to come before the board, Mr. Savitt-Kraft motioned, seconded by Ms. Harrison, to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m. The motion carried on a voice vote with those present voting in the affirmative. 5902 14. | EXECUTIVE SESSION ~ An executive session was held prior to this meeting to discuss personnel items. Mr. Eric DiTullio, President Ms. Julia Benson, School Board Secretary