North Hills board approves 2025–26 calendar change, shifts to period‑by‑period remote reporting

The North Hills Board of Education on Feb. 5 approved an updated 2025–26 academic calendar that makes Feb. 16 a student day to protect spring break and directed the district to record remote learning by period rather than as whole flexible instructional days.

Superintendent Dr. Mannarino told the board the change is meant to preserve the district’s spring break while complying with state reporting rules. "We were approved for five flexible instructional days for this school year. So moving forward, if we have to take another day off, we are not allowed to use a flexible instructional day because we don't have any. But we have instructional hours available to us. So we are going to shift our communications," he said, explaining the district will report hours and require students to confirm attendance period by period in remote classes.

Why it matters: State reporting rules changed in March 2024 to allow districts to change instructional modalities so long as required instructional hours or days are met. Dr. Mannarino said North Hills currently exceeds required instructional hours and that the period‑by‑period reporting will meet state requirements while giving the district flexibility during weather or other disruptions.

The board also completed several routine actions by voice vote. Missus Stevens moved to nominate Phil Little to one of four open Allegheny Intermediate Unit board seats; Miss Kozera seconded the motion and the nomination carried. The board added two education items to the legislative meeting agenda — a $2,000 donation for the bocce team and a $3,000 grant from Omega Federal Credit Union for Ross Elementary’s autistic support rooms — and carried the motion to add them. Finance and operations items (general fund, food service, capital project fund bills, budget transfers and payroll for January 2026) were likewise added to the legislative agenda; the chair noted an abstention on check 81808 under the general fund bills.

Votes at a glance: - Nomination: Phil Little to AIU board — motion by Missus Stevens; seconded by Miss Kozera; motion carried. - Calendar: Updated 2025–26 academic calendar (making Feb. 16 a student day) — motion made and seconded by Missus Spade; motion carried. - Education agenda additions: $2,000 bocce donation and $3,000 Omega FCU grant — motion carried. - Finance agenda additions: Items 2–6 (including payroll of $3,871,895.25 for January 2026) — motion carried; one abstention noted on check 81808.

Next steps: The calendar change approved tonight will be communicated to families, administrators said, and the board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 19, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at North Hills Middle School.