Connellsville Area School District board approves routine personnel actions, travel and 2026–27 calendar; hears public plea on class rank

The Connellsville Area School District Board of School Directors approved a series of routine motions at its January meeting, including minutes and financial reports, multiple personnel actions, travel to professional conferences and the district's 2026'27 school calendar. The board also heard public comment asking it to reconsider a recent decision about class rank and graduation recognition.

A staff member read a brief student report from student representative Dane Pavlovich, noting a recent student council forum with intermediate unit speakers on personality types and teamwork and preparations for the winter pep rally. "Dane Pavlovich, our student representative, this year, was unable to attend this evening," the reader said, adding that Pavlovich had asked that the report be read.

On personnel and athletics, the board approved fall supplemental contracts and appointed Jeremiah Bossart as girls' assistant wrestling coach. It accepted the resignation of Nick Miller, a middle school co-head track and field assistant and cross-country coach. The board also approved travel for staff to the 58th Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association Conference in Hershey, March 17'20, 2026 (motion text listed a cost of $9.85 as stated in the agenda item).

Under curriculum and professional development, the board approved employee travel to conferences in Pittsburgh: Jennifer Lasky and Stephanie Remedish to a restorative conference on Feb. 18, 2026 (cost listed as $80), and Catherine Hunt and April Martin to a Mathematical Fluency Conference on Feb. 19, 2026 (estimated cost $360). The board approved CAHS course selections and CAMS course selections for the 2026'27 school year as proposed.

The finance report recorded donations and grants to student groups and local organizations (examples recorded in the meeting: Central Fellowship Church $715; a Walmart donation of $500 plus a $30 gift card; other smaller donations). The board voted to file proposed tax-accelerated budget procedures for the 2026'27 school year.

The board approved changes to middle-school cafeteria staffing hours and additions to the cafeteria substitute list. It approved conditional hires and substitute appointments contingent on successful background checks (listed names in the agenda included Jennifer Breiner, Logan Depken, Elizabeth Cross and Lauren Gross) and approved hiring support personnel for the 2025'26 school year subject to completion of required clearances.

Several retirements were accepted and recorded: Keith Smith (teacher, effective June 1, 2026), Laura Mas (teacher), Dawn Schultz (teacher, effective June 30, 2026), Katie Robin (teacher, effective June 1, 2026), and the retirement of Carmen Fanello (secretary, effective Jan. 5, 2026). The board also approved sabbatical requests for Jenny Wagner and another teacher for the spring semester of the 2025'26 school year, conditioned on submission and district acceptance of required documentation.

The board approved the 2026'27 school calendar. It approved PAC training attendance in Pittsburgh for Bonnie Lindsey, Stephanie Johnson and Rhonda Wellington in February 2026 at a cost listed in the agenda as $1,290 for mileage, registration and substitutes.

During public comment, a parent urged the board to reconsider its decision on class rank and recognition, arguing that many colleges and scholarship applications still request class rank. The parent asked the board to "review the decision to move to the classroom, listen to the students, and bring this issue to a vote." Board members also took a moment to thank trustees for their service and to acknowledge the retirees the board adopted that evening.

Most actions were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the agenda recorded "motion carries" or similar notations after those items. The meeting concluded with brief closing remarks and an indication of adjournment.