Kathy Carns

The Superintendent reported that the district would operate on a remote instruction day due to forecasted wind chills and recognized the Board Directors for School Board Appreciation Month. The LVEA representative shared classroom activities. The EWCTC report noted a student receiving the December Student of the Month award and success in a culinary competition. The Board approved requests for bids for the Paving Project at Bell Campus. The Finance Committee approved Treasurer's Reports, various bills for General Funds, cafeteria, and capital projects, accepted a grant from The Pittsburgh Foundation for the Baseball Improvement Project, and approved an agreement addendum with Seton Hill Child Care Services. A motion to amend the WIU Master Services Agreement regarding tuition rate increases for Clairview programs failed. Educational Programs approvals included retroactive approval for a staff member to attend the SAS Institute, approval for another staff member to attend the Technology Expo & Conference, acceptance of a Graduate Fellow, approval for an eighth-grade field trip to Washington, D.C., and approval of an MOU regarding the supplemental pay rate for the marching band director. The addition of Cybersecurity I and II courses for the high school was discussed but did not receive action. The Personnel Committee approved several personnel actions, including retroactive hiring of a substitute teacher, approvals for medical and FMLA leaves, approval for unpaid leave, and the hiring of a clerical position and a substitute nurse. Supplemental Contracts approved the retirement of the Head Softball Coach and renewals for assistant track, head varsity football coach, and marching band director positions, as well as program volunteers. The Athletic Committee approved participation in spring sports meets contingent on progression, retroactive approval for a basketball program volunteer, approval for marching band volunteers for the 2026-2027 school year, and an MOU with Laurel Highlands Youth Cycling. The Transportation/Attendance Committee approved the revised instructional calendar and the hiring of several Lodestar staff members. The Policy/Legal Committee gave tentative approval to updated policies regarding organization, purchases subject to bid/quotation, and budgeted purchases.

The meeting included presentations regarding facilities projects and operational data. For facilities, an update was provided on the grant-funded ERU project aimed at decreasing humidity levels, noting progress on the Fitness Center's brickwork and completion of the last concrete pour for the Baseball Field Project. Additionally, data from the new School-Wide Information System (SWIS) discipline referral system was shared, alongside discussion of a proposed supplementary application.

The meeting agenda included several committee reports and new business items. The Finance Committee addressed several motions, including the approval of the Treasurer's Report for December 2025, various bills totaling over $1.4 million across General Funds, cafeteria, and capital projects, budgetary transfers for February 2026, acceptance of audit reports, the awarding of diesel fuel bids, exoneration of veteran's tax exemptions, and acceptance of foundation grant funds. The Policy/Legal Committee sought approval for updated policies (LVSD-005, LVSD-008, LVSD-610, LVSD-611) and a Memorandum of Understanding regarding a rally point for the Emergency Operating Plan. The Buildings and Grounds section involved retroactive approval for additional plumbing work at the High School Fitness Center and approval for additional electrical work at the Baseball Complex. Educational Programs covered the approval of two field trips (Hershey Park and Pennsylvania State Capitol), the addition of Cybersecurity I and II courses commencing in 2026-2027, and scheduling the school-community picnic. The Human Resources Committee addressed several personnel changes, including accepting retirements, retroactive hiring of a substitute teacher, FMLA approval, and hiring a new paraprofessional. Supplemental Contracts motions involved accepting a coach's resignation and appointing supplemental staff for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. The Athletic Committee approved retroactive volunteers, approved attendance at a coaching clinic, approved new volunteers, and approved the implementation of a Middle School Baseball and Softball Program commencing in 2026-2027, which will transition to full District funding by 2029-2030. Finally, Transportation/Attendance approved the revised 2025-2026 instructional calendar.

Prior to the regular meeting, an executive session was held to discuss personnel coverages, leaves, job descriptions, potential employee absences, and possible litigation. Key discussions during the regular session included the Superintendent expressing commitments to transparency and student growth, and acknowledging retiring Board Directors. The Secretary reported the award of an $84,000 grant for Phase II of the Ligonier Valley High School Baseball Complex Project. The LVEA representative presented data showing a high percentage of students taking anatomy/physiology courses pursuing healthcare careers. The Finance Committee approved numerous motions, including the Treasurer's Report for September 2025 and approvals for General Funds, cafeteria, and capital projects bills, totaling over $2.01 million in expenditures, and an Accelerated Budget Opt Out Resolution for the 2026-2027 School Year. The Personnel Committee approved the retirement acceptance of a paraprofessional, granted medical and maternity leave requests for two employees, and approved the hiring of a long-term mathematics substitute teacher. Supplemental contracts approved included the renewal of the Head Junior High Wrestling Coach and the appointment of a new Assistant Junior High Wrestling Coach. The Athletic Committee approved several program volunteers.

The reorganization meeting included the Superintendent welcoming newly elected school directors and announcing the makeup day for a weather-related cancellation. Key actions involved the election of a temporary president, administering the Oath of Office to new directors, and subsequent elections for the president and vice president for the ensuing year. The board approved the 2026 monthly meeting schedule for both Committee of the Whole and Regular Board Meetings. Furthermore, the structure for standing committees (Governance, Student Success and Facilities, Human Resources, and Student Experience) was established with corresponding director appointments. Finally, appointments were made for the Joint Operating Committee of the Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center and the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit representative.