Beaver Area School District

The voting session included several key actions. The Board removed a tabled item concerning the PlayGo Co. LLC Pour in Place Safety Surfacing for Two Dutch Ridge Playgrounds and subsequently approved the proposal for a total project cost of $103,273. The Board approved the Articles of Agreement between the Beaver County Career & Technology Center and participating Districts. The consent agenda covered numerous items, including the acknowledgment of various grants, approval of General Fund, Food Service Fund, Activities Fund, and Athletic Account invoices, ratification of Treasurer's Reports for January 2026, adoption of the 2026-2027 BASD School Calendar, adoption of several policy updates, approval of the agreement with Seven Oaks Country Club for the Golf Program, various personnel actions such as transfers, resignations, creation of paid JV Baseball coaching positions, new hires, appointments, and approval of student teachers, interns, and volunteers. Finally, the Board approved an overnight conference for an Athletic Director, a Girls Softball Spring Training Trip, set the date for the Kennywood Community Picnic, and approved the 6th Grade field trip with the Gateway Clipper Fleet.

The meeting included an announcement regarding an updated, reduced amount for the Insurance Renewal with CM Regent Insurance Company, which was approved. Consent Agenda items covering School Finance, Education, Personnel, Conferences/Field Trips, and General/Miscellaneous matters were approved en masse. Key financial approvals included the insurance renewal, flood insurance coverage, Capital Reserve Fund transfers totaling $500,000, and designation of depositories for school funds and investments. Personnel actions involved approving a position transfer, accepting two retirements, employing new faculty/staff and athletics personnel, appointing a PSBA Liaison, and approving volunteers and substitute lists. Education actions included approving a five-year RMU Agreement. General business included casting reorganization ballots and designating official newspapers. Old Business covered updates on the school colors/branding policy, boosters policy, and broadcasting of meetings, with updates on the first two items scheduled for January.

The meeting, which preceded the December work session and voting session, began with the Pledge of Allegiance. Key procedural actions involved acknowledging the November 4, 2025, election results and administering the oath of office to newly elected and reelected members, including Mr. Bovalino, Mr. Litchfield, Mr. Neeley Jr., and Ms. Pilarski. The board then elected a Temporary Board President, Solicitor Askar. Subsequently, Mrs. Thompson was elected President of the Board of Directors with a vote of 7 to 2 over Ms. Pilarski, and Mrs. Bartholomew was elected Vice President by acclamation. The session concluded with adjournment.

The meeting commenced with a roll call and announcements, including the removal of an agenda item concerning PlayGo Co. LLC surfacing and an announcement of an Executive Session to discuss safety, personnel, and potential litigation. Key actions included rescinding and then approving a resolution concerning debt incurrence for the remediation and renovation of the New Horizon School building, authorizing debt not to exceed $15,000,000.00. The board appointed Steven Neeley as Treasurer for the 2025-2026 school year and approved the hire of Michael Copper as Assistant High School Principal. Consent agenda items involved accepting the 2025 audit report, acknowledging the Annual Financial Report, approving tax exoneration, paying invoices for various funds (General, Food Service, Activities, Athletic), ratifying Treasurer's Reports, and approving financial statements. Facilities and Grounds decisions included approving work for a High School Boys Locker Room Door, purchases of mechanical systems for College Square and the Central Office, and a service agreement for the building automation system. Education approvals covered the 2026-2027 High School Program of Studies and new curriculum materials. Personnel actions included appointing Director Victoria Bartholomew as the alternate representative for the Beaver County Career & Technology Center Joint Operating Committee, adopting a resolution regarding the Beaver County Special School Authority revival, approving stipends, personnel transfers, accepting resignations, approving new faculty and staff hires, appointing personnel to Cabinet positions, approving new athletic hires, granting tenure to several educators, approving substitute lists, approving volunteers, approving student teachers and interns, and approving bus/van drivers. Finally, the board approved overnight field trips and authorized Educational Tours for summer 2027, while tabling the PlayGo Co. LLC surfacing proposal for further discussion. New business brought up considerations for a no cell phone policy, year-round schooling for K-8, limiting iPad utilization, and better use of cafeteria profits.

The board approved a resolution authorizing the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit#27 to incur debt for the remediation of mold and asbestos at the New Horizon School. They also approved a resolution to not increase taxes above the district's adjusted Act 1 Index for the 2026-2027 school year and approved the Articles of Agreement between the Beaver County Career & Technology Center (BCCTC) and participating Districts. The board also approved a number of consent agenda items including the appointment of delegates to the Beaver County Tax Collection Committee (BCTCC), renewal of the agreement with American Fidelity, an agreement with Full Service Network for PRI service, and the upgrade and renewal of Transfinder software. They acknowledged funds received through grants, donations, sponsorships, and fundraising, and approved payment of General Fund, Food Service Fund, Activities Fund, and Athletic Account Invoices. Additionally, they ratified and approved the Treasurer's Reports, Real Estate Tax Collection Reports, and Financial Statements. Personnel transfers, new athletic hires, substitute lists, volunteers, and student teachers/interns were also approved. Finally, the board approved overnight field trips and conferences, and the agreement with Shadow Lakes for the 2026 Prom.