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Newport board approves FFA and other overnight student trips and names spring coaching staff
Summary
The Newport board approved multiple overnight student trips including the FFA ACES Leadership Conference, cheer and wrestling postseason travel, and a senior class trip to NYC/NJ; the board also approved spring coaching hires with listed stipends. All motions carried 8–0 with one absence.
The Newport Board of School Directors voted Jan. 13 to approve several overnight student trips and to ratify spring coaching staff appointments.
On a combined motion, the board approved an overnight trip for nine FFA students in grades 9–11 to attend the ACES Leadership Conference at the Hershey/Harrisburg Sheraton from Jan. 31–Feb. 1, 2026; the students will be accompanied by advisor Natalie Barkley. Student council and FFA representative Elizabeth Hoover provided brief updates on organization activities before the approvals.
Also approved were an overnight trip for cheerleaders to the state competition in Johnstown (Jan. 8–10, 2026), wrestling travel to the Bedford tournament and qualifying District, Regional and PIAA State competitions, and a senior class trip to New York and New Jersey (Mar. 8–10, 2026). The board voted to combine and approve the items by roll call (8 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent).
Separately, the board approved spring coaching staff stipends: Steve Zeiders (baseball head coach, $5,043) and assistants Andrew Buffington ($2,072) among other named hires for softball and Jr. High field hockey. Superintendent Ryan Neuhard noted that student enrollment could affect whether a JV baseball team is needed and that the board would be asked to revisit the staffing if necessary.
All trip approvals and coaching hires were carried by roll call vote. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Mar. 10, 2026.
