Cook family asks Belle Vernon Area SD for buses, student volunteers for Aug. 8 celebration

Bart (who said most in the audience know him as "Cookie") told the Belle Vernon Area School District board on Feb. 10 that the Cook family and the Ross River Historical Society will host a 250th celebration at the Cook Farm on Aug. 8, 2026, and asked the district for logistical support. "We're hoping maybe just 2 would suffice us," he said, asking specifically for school buses to shuttle visitors and for permission to recruit student clubs and athletes to serve as volunteers and earn community-service credit.

The request centered on three items: (1) permission to use up to two district buses for shuttles; (2) approval to recruit student groups, clubs and athletic teams to help at the event and to have that work count toward community-service requirements; and (3) district help promoting the event. A board member replied that the district could likely provide two buses and drivers and offered to work with the high school principal and athletic director to circulate volunteer information and promote the celebration on district channels.

Board staff said they could coordinate advertising on the district website and in internal newsletters so families and student groups have time to plan. Cook provided printed contact information and said he will follow up with details on timing and the specific contacts who will coordinate buses.

The board did not take formal action at the meeting; speakers encouraged Cook to provide written requests and contact information so staff can follow up.

The next steps the board outlined were for Cook to supply a written request with dates, preferred pickup locations and any anticipated costs; district staff offered to route that request to coaches and club advisors and to discuss bus availability and driver schedules.