North Hills board approves agenda additions, forwards budget and purchase items; vape sensors purchase to be funded by settlement

The North Hills School District Board of Education on Thursday voted to add multiple education, finance and facilities items to the districtlegislative agenda and approved several motions on personnel, finance and extracurricular matters.

Among actions taken during the meeting:

Westview Elementary amendment to guaranteed energy services agreement

The board approved adding to the legislative meeting agenda Amendment 5 to the guaranteed energy services agreement with Reynolds Energy Services Inc. The amendment covers additional lighting and electrical work, plumbing upgrades, additional HVAC and fire-protection upgrades in the Westview Elementary School cafeteria, and unforeseen asbestos abatement. The superintendent said the lump-sum cost of the work "shall not exceed $200,784" and will be funded through the districtcapital projects fund. The motion to add the item to the legislative agenda was seconded by Dee Spade and the chair called the motion carried.

IDEA use-of-funds agreement and AIU program budget

The board added to the legislative agenda a request to approve the district's IDEA use-of-funds agreement and adoption of related policies and procedures for the project period 07/01/2025 through 06/30/2026. Board materials also included the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) program-of-services budget for 202526 estimated at $2,361,361.50; the districtmaterials stated the Allegheny County School District total contribution to that budget is $1,984,536 and North Hills School District's estimated contribution is $86,591. The board moved items 3 through 5 under education to the legislative meeting agenda and the motion carried.

Finance and payroll items

The board moved general fund, capital project fund and food service fund bills, a budget transfer and payroll for February 2025 to the legislative agenda. The motion was seconded by Dee Spade. During the roll call the board president announced she would vote yes on the motions but abstain from two specific general fund checks (check numbers 77779 and 77944); no members opposed and the motion carried.

Extracurricular trips and club recognition

Athletics and activities items added to the legislative agenda included recognition of an Environmental and Sustainability Club with a sponsor stipend beginning in the 202526 school year, a WIN ensemble overnight trip to the University of Michigan (April 15through April 17, district will not incur cost), and the annual music department tour to Orlando, Florida (March 28through April 2, 2026) with no district budgetary impact. The motions were seconded and the board approved moving the items to the legislative agenda.

Vape sensors purchase

Under buildings and grounds, the board approved adding a purchase request for 16 vape sensors from CDWG for $13,659.52 to the legislative agenda. The superintendent and buildings staff said the purchase will be funded using settlement money the district received as part of a class action settlement with Jewel Labs Inc.; the sensors are intended as a deterrent to vaping in district facilities. The motion was seconded and the chair called the motion carried.

Personnel and other routine approvals

Personnel and legal items discussed in executive session were approved by motion (items 1 through 4 under personnel). The motions to add items or approve personnel were seconded and carried.

What this means

Most motions at this meeting were to place items on the upcoming legislative agenda for final approval. Several budget and purchase items noted specific funding sources: the Westview amendment from the capital projects fund and the vape sensors from settlement funds. The AIU budget and IDEA use-of-funds agreement were forwarded as informational items and for board action at the legislative meeting. The board scheduled its next meeting and a public budget session for March 13, 2025, when many of the moved items will be considered for final action.