Mark Elphinstone

The meeting agenda included actions such as the approval of the previous Work Session Minutes (January 13, 2026) and Business/Legislative Minutes (January 20, 2026), and the approval of a Voluntary Placement Agreement for a student. Items for information included reports from the Parkway West Career and Technology Center, SHASDA, and PSBA/Legislative matters, as well as a planned Executive Session. The document also outlines policies for First and Second Readings, specifically Policy 610 (Purchases Subject to Bid/Quotation), Policy 611 (Purchases Budgeted), Policy 118 (Independent Study), Policy 204 (Attendance), Policy 871 (Freedom of Speech by Employees), Policy 910 (Community Engagement Relations), Policy 912 (Relations with Educational Institutions), and Policy 914 (Relations with the Intermediate Unit). Key action items for the subsequent Business/Legislative Session included the adoption of the 2026/2027 school year calendar and approval of a Professional Development request. Finance actions proposed covered approval of Accounts Payable lists through January 31, 2026, and the Parkway West Career & Technology Center Budget for 2026/2027. Buildings, Grounds & Transportation actions included motions to approve remodeling projects for the Aiken Elementary School and Dormont Elementary School playgrounds.

The meeting agenda included the approval of the Work Session Minutes of November 11, 2025, the Business/Legislative Minutes of November 18, 2025, and the Reorganization/Special Voting Meeting Minutes of December 4, 2025. Board action was requested to approve agreements involving two different students and the Keystone Oaks School District. Professional Development requests for several employees for upcoming conferences were recommended for approval. The Board was asked to approve a textbook for display and the Program of Studies for Keystone Oaks Middle School and High School for the 2026/2027 school year. A Services Agreement with UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital for the upcoming year was presented for approval. Personnel actions included accepting a resignation, approving appointments for Food Service Personnel and a Long Term Substitute, approving activity stipends, recognizing an employee for tenure completion, approving a mentor teacher, and granting requests for Unpaid Leave and Intermittent Family and Medical Leave. Financial matters involved the approval of Accounts Payable lists through November 30, 2025, and through December 31, 2025, and the adoption of Resolution 01-2026, which certifies that the Board will not raise the tax rate for the 2026/2027 fiscal year by more than the allowable index of 3.5%. Additionally, a bid was accepted for General Construction work involving exterior improvements (new windows and doors) at three elementary schools.

The Work Session meeting included standard opening procedures like the Pledge of Allegiance and Public Comment periods. Key activities included Retirement Recognition and Board of School Directors Recognition, followed by a review of reports. The Business/Legislative Session scheduled for a later date included a Report of Student Achievement, approval of reports, and public comment. Board actions requested for the collective sessions included approval of minutes from previous meetings held in November and December 2025, and the approval of two separate Agreements between students and the District. Information only items included reports from Parkway West Career and Technology Center, SHASDA, and the PSBA/Legislative Report, as well as a review of Board Committees for 2026. Subsequent reports on January 20, 2026, covered Professional Development requests, approval of a textbook for display, approval of a Services Agreement with UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, personnel actions (accepting a resignation, approving new food service personnel, a long-term substitute, activity stipends, tenure recognition, a mentor teacher, and leaves of absence), review of Accounts Payable approval lists through November 30, 2025, and December 31, 2025, and the adoption of Resolution 01-2026 certifying that the Board will not raise the tax rate for the 2026/2027 fiscal year by more than the allowable index of 3.5%. Financial information was also presented regarding budget to actual projections and bank balances as of December 31, 2025.

The meeting included nominations for president and vice president, along with reorganization business such as appointing representatives for PSBA and SHASDA, and assigning board committees. An agenda was amended to include a motion to appoint a new school board member to fill an open seat. The board discussed and approved participation in Project Succeed for the 2025/2026 school year, and a professional development request. The board also considered abolishing several policies. Furthermore, the board approved a Transition Services Agreement. The agenda included discussion and approval of a retirement, appointments, and family and medical leave.

The board reviewed reports and discussed various topics, including Project Succeed contract with Chartiers Valley School District, second reading of several policies such as Threat Assessment, Public Records, School Calendar/Day, Child Abuse, and Municipal Government Relations. They also discussed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the Keystone Oaks School District, freelance photography, TransPerfect Remote Telephone Interpreting Memorandum of Understanding, Wesley Family Services agreement, Soliant Addendum A, resignation and appointments of personnel, accounts payable approval lists, continued membership in the Joint Purchasing Board, expenditure/revenue budget to actual/projection, summary of student activities accounts, and bank balances.