Matthew Callison

The meeting included a Reorganization segment where board members were sworn in, and officers for 2026, including the Board President, Vice President, and various representatives (PSBA/Legislative, South Fayette Foundation, Parkway West Joint Committee, SHASDA), were appointed. The subsequent Regular Meeting addressed several key business items. The Board approved the 2026 Board Meeting dates, naming the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as the official newspaper for legal advertisements, and approved a Professional Development and Services partnership with EAB Solutions. Furthermore, the Board adopted a resolution regarding property tax increases for the 2026-2027 fiscal year not to exceed the base index of 4.5%. Personnel actions included approving the resignation of an Intermediate School Principal (with an amended insurance reimbursement approval), the resignation of a High School Teacher as Department Chair, and the retirement of a Custodian. The Board tabled the recommendation for an Intermediate School Building Substitute placeholder. Education items involved approving support for Artificial Intelligence (AI) pilot programs funded by the Future-Focused Learning Summit revenue and approving the High School Make a Wish Club to run as a trial EPR. An informational update was provided on upcoming Board Facility Workshops. A resident strongly voiced concerns during the public comment period regarding long-standing, unaddressed ceiling leaks in the high school gym, citing safety hazards and unusable court space, requesting immediate action and a plan at the next meeting. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session.

The meeting commenced following an Executive Session to discuss personnel and/or legal issues. The Board held a moment of silence for the late Varsity Swim Coach Todd Clark. Recognition was extended to the 3A PIAA State Champions Girls Soccer Team. Key discussions included an Act 34 Presentation regarding Intermediate and Primary School progress, and an overview of the Communications Department, noting the launch of the new district website and branding initiatives. Business items involved approving the Parkway West General Operating and Jointure Budget for 2026-2027, increasing the Accidental Damage Protection Fee, and approving the purchase of a new stadium scoreboard. Numerous personnel actions were approved, including hiring, retirements, leaves of absence, and the appointment of Melanie Miller as interim Varsity Swim Coach for the remainder of the season. Educational actions included approving a pilot for the Gone Boarding program, Memorandums of Understanding with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and PA Connecting Communities, and approving changes to the High School Program of Studies. Athletic items included retroactive approvals for basketball team travel and the approval of coaches for the 2026-2027 season, as well as purchasing new football uniforms. Construction items focused on the new Elementary School site, including a Tree Clearing Survey, tree clearing services, the Developer's Agreement for the Bus Depot, and approving the Maximum Project Cost for the new Elementary School construction project, with an Act 34 hearing scheduled for February 24th. Miscellaneous business included the first reading of revised policy 610 and approval to name the road around the new Elementary School Lion Cub Lane.

The meeting included an Act 34 Hearing concerning the proposed Elementary Building Project. Discussions and recommendations covered budget presentations for all schools (Elementary, Intermediate, Middle, High School) and a laptop presentation. Key business items involved the approval of the 2024-2025 School District Audit Report, authorization for receipt and usage of the Ready to Learn Tax Equity supplement, and the purchase of new student and staff laptops through a lease agreement with Dell Financial Services. The Board also approved the sale of six district vehicles and one piece of equipment. Personnel actions included announcing earned tenure for two teachers, approving several leave of absence requests, authorizing the hiring of substitute teachers and paraeducators, and approving the retirement of a Kindergarten Teacher. Education items included approving professional development attendance, purchasing a master scheduling supplemental tool, approving an educational trip to France and Switzerland, and approving a pilot program for an AI-powered math supplemental tool. Construction business involved approving the third-party inspection provider for the Bus Depot project and a stormwater management agreement with the Township of South Fayette.

The meeting included a report on Unified Sports and Unified Activities aimed at fostering inclusivity for neurodiverse students, such as Partners in PE, Partners in Art, Best Buddies, unified esports, unified robotics, and unified bocce. The Business Office authorized payments for monthly invoices from the General Fund, Cafeteria Fund, and Construction Fund. Approvals included the use of the Intermediate School gymnasium for the iCan Bike Camp 2026, the Parkway West General Operating and Jointure Budget for 2026-2027, an increase to the Accidental Damage Protection Fee from $25 to $30 per device, and the purchase of a new stadium scoreboard for $259,570. Personnel actions involved approving employment agreements for a Substitute Intermediate School Principal and an Interim Intermediate School Assistant Principal, hiring several staff members including a Paraeducator and Long-Term Substitute Teachers, and approving retirements and various leave of absence requests. The Board also approved EPRs for numerous Personal Care Paraeducator and Mentor Teacher positions, as well as coaches for the 2026-2027 and Spring 2025-2026 seasons. New business motions included approving the demolition of the Intermediate School Assistant Principal position effective February 23, 2026, and appointing a Pediatric Dentist as the School District Dentist. Educational items included approval to pilot the Gone Boarding program in High School Technology Education courses, a Memorandum of Understanding with Allegheny Intermediate Unit for kindergarten readiness, and changes to the 2025-2026 High School Program of Studies. Construction approvals covered a Tree Clearing Survey and tree clearing services for the new Elementary School site, and utilizing Perry & Associates for a third-party review of the storm shelter design plans. The Board approved the Maximum Project Cost and Maximum Building Construction Cost for the new South Fayette Elementary School construction project. Miscellaneous items included the second reading of revised policy 610 and naming the road around the new Elementary School as Lion Cub Lane. Athletic actions included retroactive approval for travel for Girls and Boys Basketball teams, the purchase of new football uniforms for $29,032, and permission for Indoor Track and Field teams to travel to Boston and Orlando.

The meeting agenda covered several key areas. Under the Consent Agenda, there were approvals for financial reports and authorization for monthly invoice payments from the General, Cafeteria, and Construction Funds. Business items included approval for the iCan Bike Camp 2026 usage of the Intermediate School gymnasium, approval of the Parkway West General Operating and Jointure Budget for 2026-2027, an increase in the Accidental Damage Protection Fee, approval for purchasing a new stadium scoreboard, and approval for hosting a free vaccination clinic with UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. The Personnel section addressed numerous actions, including the retroactive approval of an employment agreement for a Substitute Intermediate School Principal, the hiring of an Interim Intermediate School Assistant Principal, various new hires, retirements, leaves of absence, and approvals for several extracurricular stipends (EPRs). Coaching appointments for the 2026-2027 season and personnel actions related to the Spring 2025-2026 season were also approved. Education items involved the pilot program for the Gone Boarding program at the high school, approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit for kindergarten readiness, an MOU with PA Connecting Communities for transition services, proposed changes to the High School Program of Studies, and approval for several staff members to attend professional conferences. Construction actions included approvals for site surveys, tree clearing, the Developer's Agreement for the new Bus Depot, and design plan review for the new Elementary School, culminating in the approval of the Maximum Project Cost and Maximum Building Construction Cost for the new Elementary School construction project. Miscellaneous items included the second reading of revised policy 610 and naming the road around the new Elementary School 'Lion Cub Lane'. Athletic matters included retroactive travel approvals and approval to purchase new football uniforms.