Saint Mary's Area board approves routine business, hires consultants and accepts superintendent's resignation notice
November 10, 2025 | Saint Marys Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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At its Nov. 10 meeting the Saint Mary's Area School District board approved a series of routine and business‑affairs items, authorized consultants for ongoing projects and accepted a superintendent resignation timeline while launching a formal search process.
The board approved the meeting agenda and minutes for Oct. 13 and the Oct. 7 workshop, accepted two confidential student‑discipline recommendations, and approved payment of bills across multiple funds for October 2025 and the treasurer's report for July–October 2025.
On business affairs the board approved a resolution to remain within the Act 1 index for 2026–27 (4.4%), and a separate resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to end the ongoing state budget impasse. The board also approved an agreement to work with PFM Financial Advisors to explore a tax and revenue anticipation note.
The board approved the use of remaining funds from Bond Series 2024 to reimburse the general fund for a school vehicle purchase contingent upon full expenditure of bond‑funded projects. It approved an agreement with the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools to consult on the superintendent search, engaged KTH Architects for high‑school kitchen and dishroom design (using capital reserves), and accepted a Garland Company offer to perform thermal diagnostic roof inspections at two elementary buildings at no cost to the district.
The board approved multiple student field trips for January–May 2026 and a set of personnel recommendations across several categories, including provisional employment approvals pending preemployment checks. The board accepted Dr. Harley D. Ramsey's resignation effective on or before Aug. 31, 2026, contingent on written notice to the board president at least 60 days in advance; the board also authorized the consultant engagement to assist with selecting the district's next superintendent.
Votes at a glance:
• Agenda (11/10/2025): approved (motion carried).
• Minutes (10/13/2025 & workshop 10/07/2025): approved (motion carried).
• Confidential student disciplines (252601; 252602): approved (motion carried).
• Payment of bills (Oct. 2025): approved.
• Treasurer's reports (July–Oct. 2025): approved.
• Revised policies (Policy 122, 122.1, 918): approved.
• Resolution: remain within Act 1 index (4.4%) for 2026–27: approved.
• Resolution urging state to end budget impasse: approved.
• Authorization to collaborate with PFM to explore a TRAN: approved.
• Bond Series 2024 fund use to reimburse general fund for vehicle purchase: approved.
• Superintendent search consulting agreement (PA Association of Rural and Small Schools): approved.
• KTH Architects agreement for high‑school renovation: approved.
• Garland Company thermal roof inspection (no cost): approved.
• Student field trips (Jan–May 2026): approved.
• Personnel recommendations and Dr. Ramsey's resignation effective on or before 8/31/2026 (60‑day notice): approved.
What happens next: With the superintendent resignation notice accepted, the board has authorized consultant help and will begin the formal search process; several capital procurements and the PFM analysis will proceed through administrative work and return to the board for subsequent approvals as needed.
The board approved the meeting agenda and minutes for Oct. 13 and the Oct. 7 workshop, accepted two confidential student‑discipline recommendations, and approved payment of bills across multiple funds for October 2025 and the treasurer's report for July–October 2025.
On business affairs the board approved a resolution to remain within the Act 1 index for 2026–27 (4.4%), and a separate resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to end the ongoing state budget impasse. The board also approved an agreement to work with PFM Financial Advisors to explore a tax and revenue anticipation note.
The board approved the use of remaining funds from Bond Series 2024 to reimburse the general fund for a school vehicle purchase contingent upon full expenditure of bond‑funded projects. It approved an agreement with the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools to consult on the superintendent search, engaged KTH Architects for high‑school kitchen and dishroom design (using capital reserves), and accepted a Garland Company offer to perform thermal diagnostic roof inspections at two elementary buildings at no cost to the district.
The board approved multiple student field trips for January–May 2026 and a set of personnel recommendations across several categories, including provisional employment approvals pending preemployment checks. The board accepted Dr. Harley D. Ramsey's resignation effective on or before Aug. 31, 2026, contingent on written notice to the board president at least 60 days in advance; the board also authorized the consultant engagement to assist with selecting the district's next superintendent.
Votes at a glance:
• Agenda (11/10/2025): approved (motion carried).
• Minutes (10/13/2025 & workshop 10/07/2025): approved (motion carried).
• Confidential student disciplines (252601; 252602): approved (motion carried).
• Payment of bills (Oct. 2025): approved.
• Treasurer's reports (July–Oct. 2025): approved.
• Revised policies (Policy 122, 122.1, 918): approved.
• Resolution: remain within Act 1 index (4.4%) for 2026–27: approved.
• Resolution urging state to end budget impasse: approved.
• Authorization to collaborate with PFM to explore a TRAN: approved.
• Bond Series 2024 fund use to reimburse general fund for vehicle purchase: approved.
• Superintendent search consulting agreement (PA Association of Rural and Small Schools): approved.
• KTH Architects agreement for high‑school renovation: approved.
• Garland Company thermal roof inspection (no cost): approved.
• Student field trips (Jan–May 2026): approved.
• Personnel recommendations and Dr. Ramsey's resignation effective on or before 8/31/2026 (60‑day notice): approved.
What happens next: With the superintendent resignation notice accepted, the board has authorized consultant help and will begin the formal search process; several capital procurements and the PFM analysis will proceed through administrative work and return to the board for subsequent approvals as needed.
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