Connellsville Area School District board approves hires, retirements and administrative appointments

The Connellsville Area School District Board approved a package of personnel actions at its meeting, including coaching hires, custodial and cafeteria appointments, several retirements and the appointment of a new director of student services.

Board members approved hires for athletic coaching positions for the 2025–26 school year, including the head varsity volleyball coach and head varsity girls and boys basketball coaches. The board also approved the hiring of part‑time custodial and cafeteria staff and added several names to the substitute lists following required background screenings.

The personnel agenda included retirements and resignations accepted by the board: Jeffrey Cunningham (maintenance), effective April 21, 2025; Lori Larson (support personnel), effective May 30, 2025; Linda Davis (cafeteria), effective June 3, 2025; William Mitchell (custodian), effective April 8, 2025; and Kenneth Sanders (school resource officer), effective June 1, 2025. The board also accepted the resignation of Joseph Walsh, JROTC instructor, effective April 4, 2025.

In administrative appointments, the board approved the appointment of Lori Rodenstiel as director of student services and workforce development effective June 1, 2025, at an annual salary of $105,000. The board also approved the appointment of Julie Vonna as coordinator of special education effective July 1, 2025, at an annual salary of $94,500. Both appointments were made “in accordance with the administrators’ benefits and compensation agreements,” the motions stated.

During discussion, board members said the district combined three previously separate positions into two new roles in part to achieve savings in salary and benefits. A board member reported estimated annual savings in salary-and-benefit costs of about $95,000 to $100,000 resulting from that consolidation.

The motions on hires, retirements and appointments were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote or roll call as recorded during the meeting. At least one trustee registered an abstention during a roll‑call vote on an administrative appointment and cited budget concerns when explaining the abstention on the record.

The personnel approvals were routine and did not include additional policy changes. Several approvals were noted as contingent on completion of standard pre‑employment requirements such as physical examinations, TB tests, drug screening and required clearances under board policy 303 and applicable Department of Education regulations.

Board members closed the personnel portion of the meeting and moved on to other agenda items.