BVA school board chooses three new directors
BELLE VERNON – The Belle Vernon Board of Education chose three new directors on Monday evening — just one week after board directors Aaron Bialon, John M. Nusser Jr. and Daniel Sepesky submitted their resignations.
During their monthly meeting at Belle Vernon Area High School, board members voted Daniel E. Engstrom, Daniel G. Kovatch and Stacey Livengood to fill the vacant seats. Each new board director will serve a term ending on Dec. 2.
Prior to voting, board members Lou Rood, Joe Grata, Michelle Callaway-Rodriquez, Kathleen Forte, Joel Whiteko and Gloria Yuschak heard three-minute presentations from a field of 10 candidates. Other contenders included William A. Ambrose, John E. Garber, Brook E. Gardner, John Habel III, Robert Harhai, Justin Andrew Kosanko and Robert A. Reed. Joseph M. Palenchar II withdrew his name for consideration before the meeting started.
Solicitor Vic Kustra served as temporary chairman for the voting process.
Rood told all the candidates that he was extremely impressed with their presentations and interest in serving the district.
“This decision was extremely difficult, and I know that there are some disappointed people here tonight,” he said. “But at the same time, I hope everyone who has this interest and passion moves forward. For those who weren’t appointed, if you want to run for this office, please run.”
Rood said the three new board members will be officially installed into office during a date to be determined.
“Our goal is to get the three new members sworn in before the board holds a special meeting next Monday,” he said. “During that time, representatives from the Pennsylvania School Board Association will present letters of interest and credentials from individuals who have applied for the permanent superintendent’s position.”
Rood added that the search process for a superintendent officially ended on Monday.聽聽
Also, during, the meeting, the board accepted the resignation of Acting Superintendent Dr. Michele Dowell, who accepted a position as director of curriculum at Ringgold School District last week. Dowell will step down from her position at BVA on May 3, 2019.
Dowell told board members and the audience that she had to make a difficult decision about her future.
“I made this decision because of my family,” she said, who received a standing ovation from all those in attendance at the meeting. “At this time in my life, having a 17-year-old and a 12-year-old, I do not feel that I am able to dedicate the time that is necessary to do this position in the way I feel it needs to be done. I always told my staff that family comes first. And now, I have to follow my own advice.”
Added Dowell, “Many people are speculating that I am leaving Belle Vernon because of the school board. That simply is not true. The members of the board that are sitting up here right now have been nothing but supportive of me the past 10 months. I truly appreciate the opportunity that they gave to me to serve as acting superintendent. While I may be leaving to go to another school district, I love Belle Vernon. We have a great staff, great kids and a great community here. The focus needs to be on moving forward, not looking back. Thank you for allowing me to serve the students of Belle Vernon for the past nine years.”
In other business, the board approved:
= A resolution for STEP UP Westmoreland, an initiative that supports the development of a mental health services network and promotes the mental health network to all district stakeholders and the surrounding community.
= The purchase of acrylic wall sign hangers from display2go.com for four district school buildings at a cost of $5,958.
= A first reading for revised policies, including nondiscrimination/discriminatory harassment (school and classroom practices), nondiscrimination (qualified students with disabilities), nondiscrimination/discriminatory harassment (employment practices), tobacco/nicotine (pupils), hazing, bullying/cyberbullying, tobacco/nicotine (employees), use of school facilities and public attendance at school events. The board also heard a first reading of a new policy that establishes tax assessment appeals.