Brandon Valley Area School District public meetings in 2023
22 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
BVA December 5, 2023 Reorganization Meeting
The Belle Vernon Area School District Board of School Directors is holding its annual reorganization meeting to elect a president and vice president for 2024, appoint a solicitor, name depositories, and designate official newspapers. The agenda is largely procedural, with no substantive policy decisions or public hearings scheduled.
- Election of Board President and Vice President for 2024
- Appointment of Andrews & Price LLC as School Solicitor at $700 monthly retainer and $125 hourly rate
- Naming CFS Bank, PLGIT, and PSLAF as depositories for district funds
- Designating Mon Valley Independent as official newspaper, Tribune Review for multiple advertisements
- Oath of office for newly and re-elected board directors
BVASD Combined Work Session & Regular Voting Meeting
The Belle Vernon Area School District Board will hold a combined work session and regular voting meeting on December 5, 2023. Key actions include declaring a 2-year board seat vacant, appointing a new member, and approving several financial items such as a $1.42 million transfer to capital reserve, a $44,400 emergency pool repair, and a $78,375 cyber grievance settlement. The board will also adopt several policies and handle routine personnel and facility requests.
- Declare 2-year board seat vacant and appoint replacement (term ends Dec 2025)
- Transfer $1,421,353.30 from General Fund to Capital Reserve (retroactive to 6/30/2023)
- Approve $44,400 emergency pool repair by B&R Pools
- Approve $78,375 settlement of BVAEA cyber grievance ($15/day per teacher)
- Approve IDEA grants: $463,210.71 (IDEA-611) and $2,816 (IDEA-619)
BVASD Regular Voting Meeting
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will hold a regular voting meeting on November 20, 2023, to act on financial reports, a tax resolution, a van purchase, facility repairs, and personnel changes. The agenda includes consent items for financial statements, bills, and personnel actions, as well as individual votes on the Act 1 Resolution, tax refunds, and various capital improvements. The board will also discuss first readings of several policies, including field trips, employee evaluation, professional development, and service animals.
- Approve Act 1 Resolution not to raise taxes above adjusted index of 7.1% for 2024-2025
- Purchase Kia Carnival Van from Jim Shorkey Kia for $37,456 from ACCESS Funds
- Approve tax refunds: $10,925.94 to Corelogic and $2,891.89 to CFS Bank
- Approve HS bathroom upgrades ($11,315 partitions, $5,409.75 paint, $2,688 sink) from Capital Reserve
- Approve HVAC repairs by Reno Brothers for $18,545 from Capital Reserve
BVASD Work Session Meeting
The Brandon Valley Area School District board is holding a work session to review and vote on routine financial reports, personnel changes, and several action items. Key decisions include approving the Act 1 resolution to not raise taxes above the adjusted index, purchasing a new passenger van, and updating district policies on field trips, employee evaluations, professional development, and service animals. The board will also discuss options to attract and retain substitute teachers and a possible board vacancy.
- Act 1 Resolution: not to raise taxes above adjusted index of 7.1% for 2024-2025
- Purchase of Kia Carnival Van from Jim Shorkey Kia for $37,456 from ACCESS Funds
- HS bathroom upgrades: partitions $11,315, paint $5,409.75, sink $2,688
- HS pool maintenance by B&R Pools: filter leaves $7,080, flow meter replacement $4,300
- Create Middle School Cross Country program, estimated annual cost $5,000-$7,000
BVASD Regular Voting Meeting
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will hold its regular voting meeting, taking action on personnel hires, fuel bids, and several capital improvement projects. The board will also consider a tax refund, a baseball team trip, and a speech-language affiliation agreement.
- Award fuel bids to Glassmere Fuel Service (unleaded +$0.0878) and Reed Oil (diesel -$0.0200)
- Approve $18,243.00 for boiler valve replacement at the High School
- Approve $22,591.87 for new flooring in the Middle School Library
- Approve $4,955.55 purchase of a Game Ready System from MEDCO Sports Medicine
- Approve tax refund of $1,544.98 to Richard Mudrick
BVASD Work Session Meeting
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will hold a work session to discuss and vote on routine operational items, including fuel bids, facility repairs, and personnel actions. The agenda is largely procedural, with most items being consent agenda approvals or standard financial reports.
- Award fuel bids: Glassmere Fuel Service for unleaded gasoline (+$0.0878/gal) and Reed Oil for diesel (-$0.0200/gal)
- Approve $18,243 for Reno Brothers to replace gate valves in HS boiler room (Capital Reserve)
- Approve $22,591.87 for new flooring in Middle School Library (Capital Reserve)
- Approve $4,955.55 purchase of Game Ready System from MEDCO (Athletic Fund)
- Approve $4,000 continued relationship with Forum for Workforce Development
BVASD Regular Voting Meeting
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will hold its regular voting meeting, taking action on a revised School Resource Officer agreement with Rostraver Township, a student settlement agreement, and multiple personnel items including resignations, hires, and unpaid leaves. The board will also approve financial reports, bills, and various contracts.
- Revised Rostraver Township SRO Agreement for 2023-2024
- Student settlement agreement for student #22815
- Interim bills totaling $793,458.53 across funds
- Tuition reimbursement of $3,096 for Zachary Just
- Resignations and retirements of four staff members
BVASD Work Session Meeting
The Brandon Valley Area School District board will hold a work session to discuss and vote on a range of items, including a student settlement agreement, a revised School Resource Officer agreement with Rostraver Township, and several personnel actions. The agenda also includes routine approvals of financial reports, bills, and facility usage requests.
- Student settlement agreement for student #22815
- Revised SRO agreement with Rostraver Township Police for 2023-24
- Hire Stephanie Baker-Espejo as ELL teacher at $47,800 prorated
- Approve Highmark prescription drug program addendum
- Approve Epic Communications amendment
BVASD Regular Voting Meeting
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will hold a regular voting meeting on August 21, 2023, to consider a range of action items, including contracts for student services, personnel hires, facility usage fee revisions, and financial reports. The agenda includes multiple agreements with outside agencies for special education and mental health support, as well as routine approvals of minutes and financial statements.
- Approve agreement with Watson Institute for 2 students at $58,623 per student for 2023-24
- Approve agreement with Saint Vincent Prevention Projects for $17,050 from PCCD Mental Health Grant
- Approve sale of 6 2013 Ford E-250 vans to highest bidder for fleet replacement
- Approve revised facility usage tier effective August 21, 2023
- Approve reimbursement to Rostraver Township Police up to $10,000 for SRO supplies and ALICE training
BVASD Work Session Meeting
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will hold a work session to discuss and vote on a range of operational items, including contracts for student services, facility usage fee changes, and the purchase of new vans. The agenda also includes routine approvals of minutes, financial reports, and departmental updates.
- Approve Watson Institute agreement for 2 students at $58,623 each for 2023-24
- Approve Saint Vincent Prevention Projects service agreement for $17,050
- Approve purchase of vans not to exceed $86,000 annual payment, total $428,047.84
- Approve new Facility Usage Tier effective August 21, 2023
- Approve sale of 6 2013 Ford E-250 vans to highest bidder
BVASD Special Voting Meeting for Personnel
The Brandon Valley Area School District board is holding a special virtual meeting to vote on personnel actions, including five regular hires. The board will also approve the agenda and hear citizen comments limited to agenda items. An executive session was held on July 24 for personnel reasons.
- Approve Phaedra DeWitt as Rostraver Elementary Kindergarten Teacher at $49,000 salary
- Approve Steven Spang as Elementary Music Instrumental Teacher at $58,800 salary
- Approve Kevin Bower as custodian at $16.10/hr
- Approve Jennifer Tatar as High School Head Cook at $19.00/hr
- Approve Bryan Petrosky as Bus Driver at $21.60/hr
BVASD Combined Work Session/Regular Voting Meeting
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will hold a combined work session and regular voting meeting on July 18, 2023. Key actions include hiring an interim superintendent, approving a $82,580 payment for pandemic-era online instruction, and several contracts and personnel moves. The agenda also includes routine approvals of minutes, financial reports, and facility usage requests.
- Hire Jeanine Gregory as Interim Superintendent at $580/day effective July 24, 2023
- Approve $82,580 payment to eligible teachers for online/remote instruction during the pandemic
- Approve $41,400 for Limbach Inc. to replace two compressors on a chiller at Rostraver Elementary
- Approve $510 contribution to Saint Vincent College Prevention Projects
- Approve SPHS agreements for behavioral health and drug & alcohol services
BVASD Regular Meeting
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will vote on the final 2023-24 budget, with two options for using fund balance, and consider contracts, personnel, and curriculum purchases. The agenda includes routine approvals of minutes, financial reports, and departmental updates, plus several action items requiring board approval.
- Adoption of final 2023-24 budget of $43,675,000 (two options)
- Reappoint school doctor at $20,000/year and dentist at $3.50/student
- Purchase Savvas math curriculum for grades 6-8 for $63,601.60 from ESSER funds
- Approve insurance renewal with CSC Insurance totaling $311,905.48
- Award milk bid to Schneider's Dairy for 2023-24
BVASD Work Session Meeting
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will hold a work session to discuss and vote on the final 2023-2024 budget, tax levies, and a homestead/farmstead exclusion resolution. The agenda also includes several contracts, financial reports, and personnel actions, along with recognition of students who rescued a woman from a fire.
- Adoption of final 2023-2024 budget (amount not specified)
- Tax levy resolution: 91.30 mills for North Belle Vernon and Rostraver Township; 20.71 mills for Belle Vernon, Fayette City, and Washington Township
- Reappoint Dr. Marc Cordero as school doctor at $20,000/year and Dr. Eugene Scaramucci as dentist at $3.50/student
- Approve IU1 education services agreement for 2023-24
- Award milk bid to Schneider's Dairy for 2023-24
BVASD Regular Meeting Agenda
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will vote on adopting the proposed final budget of $43.5 million for the 2023-2024 school year, along with several contracts and personnel actions. The agenda also includes approval of financial reports, grant applications, and various agreements for student services. Most items are routine consent agenda actions, but the budget adoption and treasurer elections require roll call votes.
- Adoption of proposed 2023-2024 budget of $43,500,000
- Approval of agreements with Merakey, Adelphoi, Bayada Nursing, and Outside In for student services
- Approval of Penn State dual credit agreement (5 years) and Penn West social worker agreement (5 years)
- Approval of PCCD grant for $136,931 each for physical security and mental health
- Approval of Watson Institute ESY agreement at $3,500/student and Tillotson ESY at $2,500/student
BVASD Work Session Agenda
The Belle Vernon Area School District board is holding a work session to review and act on a range of items, including the adoption of the proposed 2023-2024 budget, several contracts and agreements, financial reports, and personnel actions. The agenda includes both action items requiring board approval and informational reports.
- Adoption of Proposed Final Budget for 2023-2024 school year (amount not specified)
- Agreement with Merakey Pennsylvania for educational services for students with Autism/Emotional Disturbance, Aug 1, 2023-Jul 31, 2024
- ESS Substitute Agreement with ESS Northeast, LLC as exclusive substitute provider, Jul 1, 2023-Jun 30, 2024
- Approval of PCCD Grant with $136,931 allocated for Physical Security and $136,931 for Mental Health
- Approval of 17 summer workers at $12.00/hr, including tech assistants and maintenance workers
BVASD Regular Meeting Agenda
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will vote on several contracts and agreements, including a $3,750/month internet service deal, a $145/day education services agreement, and an expulsion agreement. They will also award bids for bus parts, motor oil, and tires, and adopt the CWCTC 2023-2024 budget. The agenda includes routine approvals of minutes, financial reports, and personnel changes.
- Approve DQE Communications Metro Ethernet & Internet Services: $3,750/month for 36 months (campus) and $1,250/month (MultiPlex)
- Approve Transformation Learning agreement at $145 per school day retroactive from 3/30/2023
- Award bus supplies bid to Penn Power Group, LLC; motor oil to Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.; tires to Goodyear
- Approve purchase of 5 trophy cases from Today's Classroom LLC for $18,434.00 (Athletic Fund)
- Adopt CWCTC 2023-2024 budget (roll call vote)
BVASD Regular Meeting Agenda
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will vote on several financial items, including the purchase of five new buses for up to $530,000, a water heater replacement, and a charter bus rental. They will also consider multiple contracts and agreements, such as dual credit programs with Mount Aloysius College and Seton Hill University, and service agreements with Westmoreland Casemanagement and Chestnut Ridge. The agenda includes first readings of policies on home education programs and a refund to a tax collector for an erroneous deposit.
- Purchase of 5 new buses from Meyers Equipment at $105,291 each, not to exceed $530,000, from Capital Reserve
- Refund of $68,227.92 to Rostraver Township Tax Collector Pat Lander for erroneous deposit
- Approval of Mt. Aloysius College Cooperative Agreement 2023-24 at $67 per credit
- Approval of Westmoreland Casemanagement and Supports Agreement effective July 16, 2023 through July 15, 2025
- First reading of policies on home education programs and extracurricular participation
BVASD Work Session Agenda
The Brandon Valley Area School District board will hold a work session to discuss and vote on routine financial items, including the purchase of five new buses for up to $530,000 and an $18,320 assessment tool package. The agenda also includes first readings of policies on home education and video surveillance, and adoption of policies on graduation, dress code, and suspension. The meeting is largely procedural with consent agenda items.
- Purchase of 5 buses from Meyers Equipment at $105,291 each, not to exceed $530,000, from Capital Reserve
- Purchase of NWEA assessment tool package for grades 3-6 at $18,320, billing deferred to July 2023
- Approval of WIU 2023-2024 General Operating Budget with BVASD contribution of $9,410.22
- First reading of policies on home education programs and video surveillance
- Adoption of policies on graduation, dress and grooming, and suspension and expulsion
BVASD Regular Meeting Agenda
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will vote on several financial items, including committing $750,000 to technology, transferring $1,635,640.10 to capital reserve, and approving a $144,299.70 SEL curriculum contract. They will also consider a tax settlement appeal, a field usage contract with Rostraver Township, and adopt multiple policies. The meeting includes routine procedural items and reports.
- Commit $750,000 of fund balance to Technology, retroactive to June 30, 2022
- Transfer $1,635,640.10 to Capital Reserve, retroactive to June 30, 2022
- Approve 7Mindset SEL curriculum at $144,299.70 for 3 years
- Approve 6-year Divirgilio Field usage with Rostraver Township at $8,000/year
- Accept property tax settlement for parcel 56-16-00-0-035 at $3,500,000 fair market value, refund $4,949
January 23, 2023 Regular Meeting
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will hold its regular meeting on January 23, 2023, to vote on the 2023-2024 school calendar, several contracts and agreements, and a series of budget and financial items including capital purchases and change orders. The agenda also includes first readings of several policies and recognition of students.
- Approve 2023-2024 school calendar
- Approve Devereux agreement: $208.25 per school day for education services, $116/hr for therapy
- Approve ESS Northeast staff placement: paraprofessionals $19.85/hr
- Approve volleyball nets purchase from Sports Imports: $7,794.20
- Approve Carrier change orders: $14,610 and $30,635 for HVAC work
January 17, 2023 Work Session Agenda
The Belle Vernon Area School District board will hold a work session to discuss and vote on routine items including the 2023-2024 school calendar, several contracts (Devereux, ESS Northeast), and multiple budget approvals. Notable financial actions include a $30,635 change order for chilled water piping at the high school gym and a $7,794.20 purchase of volleyball nets. The agenda also includes first readings of several policies and informational reports from various departments.
- 2023-2024 school calendar approval
- Devereux agreement: $208.25 per school day, $116/hr therapy
- ESS Northeast staff placement: $19.85/hr for paraprofessionals
- Carrier change order $30,635 for high school gym AC piping
- Volleyball nets purchase $7,794.20 from Sports Imports