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Hermitage School Board approves payments, adopts Mercer County Career Center budget and several program and personnel actions
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Summary
At its March 16 meeting, the Hermitage School District Board approved finance reports and accounts‑payable batches totaling $1,169,111.48, accepted a memorial book donation, adopted the Hickory High School Program of Studies for 2026–27 and approved the Mercer County Career Center 2026–27 budget of $6,969,611; all votes were unanimous (8–0).
The Hermitage School District Board of Directors met on March 16, 2026, at the district Central Office in Hermitage and voted unanimously to approve routine finance reports and accounts payable, accept a library donation, adopt curriculum updates and the Mercer County Career Center 2026–27 budget.
Director Mrs. Becker presented the district finance reports and moved to file Attachments F‑1 through F‑9 for audit (general fund, cash and investments, wage tax, capital reserve and cafeteria reports, participation and student activities). The Board approved the motion by roll call, 8–0.
The Board approved two accounts‑payable batches: checks written Feb. 13–Mar. 12, 2026 totaling $574,917.16 (checks #87105–#87212) and an approval list as of Mar. 16, 2026 totaling $594,194.32 (proposed checks #87213–#87306). The combined approved outlay for the two batches was $1,169,111.48. The motions were moved by Mrs. Becker and seconded by Mr. Ruffo and passed unanimously.
During the Building and Grounds portion of the meeting, Director Ms. Tomko moved to accept a donation of two books to the DMS library from Mrs. Nancy Bires in memory of Mr. Michael Muha. The books are First Ladies Fact Book by Bill Harris and The Presidents Fact Book by Roger Matuz; the Board accepted the donation unanimously.
Director Mrs. Nicastro presented private transportation contracts and additions to the bus driver roster for the 2025–26 school year; the Board approved the listed contracts and pending driver clearances by unanimous vote.
Personnel changes and additions detailed in Attachment P‑1 were presented by Director Mrs. Perman and approved by the Board unanimously.
Curriculum changes included adoption of the Hickory High School Program of Studies for grades 9–12 for the 2026–27 school year. Director Mrs. Flynn moved for adoption and Mrs. Becker seconded; the motion passed 8–0.
Mr. Shaffer presented a packet of revised board policies (Nos. 008, 140, 221, 236.1, 332, 325, 619 and 810) for review. Board members were informed that final adoption of those policies would be recommended at the April 13, 2026 regular meeting; no final policy votes occurred at this session.
The Board approved multiple interagency agreements and contracts by motion of Ms. Tomko and second of Mr. Ruffo. Approved items included participation in the PA Mental Health Education Learning Program in Schools; a Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit contract for extended‑school‑year special education services; a field placement agreement with the Beeghly College of Liberal Arts at Youngstown State University; an agreement with William Penn Academy; and an intergovernmental agreement with MIU IV. All agreements passed 8–0.
Director Mr. Ruffo presented and the Board approved the listed student activity requests for 2025–26 and the 2026 Summer Academy course offerings (Attachment SA‑1), unanimous 8–0.
The Board adopted the Mercer County Career Center budget for the year ending June 30, 2027. The adopted resolution sets total receipts and expenditures at $6,969,611 and reflects a three‑year average enrollment figure of 52 students; the motion was moved by Mr. Chovan and seconded by Mrs. Becker and was approved 8–0.
With no further business, Director Mrs. Becker moved to adjourn; Ms. Tomko seconded and the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:01 PM. Minutes were prepared and signed by Board Secretary Barbara Knauff.
Votes at a glance - Minutes of Jan. 20, 2026: approved, motion by Mrs. Perman, second Mrs. Nicastro, roll call 8–0. - Finance reports (F‑1–F‑9) filed for audit: approved, motion by Mrs. Becker, second unspecified, roll call 8–0. - Accounts payable (Feb. 13–Mar. 12, 2026): $574,917.16 approved; accounts payable list as of Mar. 16, 2026: $594,194.32 approved; motions passed 8–0. - Gift acceptance (DMS library): accepted, motion by Ms. Tomko, second Mrs. Nicastro, 8–0. - Private transportation contracts and driver additions: approved, motion by Mrs. Nicastro, 8–0. - Personnel changes (Attachment P‑1): approved, motion by Mrs. Perman, 8–0. - Hickory High School Program of Studies (2026–27): adopted, motion by Mrs. Flynn, second Mrs. Becker, 8–0. - Policies Nos. 008, 140, 221, 236.1, 332, 325, 619, 810: presented for review; final adoption scheduled Apr. 13, 2026 (no vote this meeting). - Interagency agreements and contracts (L‑9 through L‑13): approved, motion by Ms. Tomko, second Mr. Ruffo, 8–0. - Student activities and Summer Academy courses (SA‑1): approved, motion by Mr. Ruffo, 8–0. - Mercer County Career Center 2026–27 budget: adopted, motion by Mr. Chovan, second Mrs. Becker, roll call 8–0.
What happens next: The Board will consider final adoption of the revised policies at its April 13, 2026 regular meeting. The minutes were signed by Board Secretary Barbara Knauff.