New Kensington-Arnold board approves payroll, contracts, personnel moves and signs petition on PIAA playoffs

The New Kensington-Arnold School District Board of Directors on April 14 authorized routine payroll and bill payments, approved several personnel changes and contract renewals, and unanimously approved a petition to ask the Pennsylvania House to take House Bill 41 off the table for floor consideration.

The board approved authorization of the April 2026 payroll and payment of properly approved bills totaling $6,506,253.32; the minutes record the March 2026 payroll as $1,665,290.69. Directors also accepted the Treasurer’s reports and several PLGIT account balances, and approved budget transfers for March 2026.

Financial and vendor actions included renewing The Nutrition Group as the food service management company for fiscal year 2026–27 (third year of a five-year agreement), approving a three-year renewal of Barracuda Total Email Protection and related licenses for the district (390 users) at a total cost of $63,960, and approving an Arbiter contract for officials payments (annual $2,115 plus a $495 implementation fee).

Facilities and operations moves included authorizing advertisement of bids for a pool filtration system at Valley Junior/Senior High School (discussion estimated a ballpark of roughly $100,000), and approving removal of nine oak trees at Roy A. Hunt Elementary at a cost of $22,500; the board cited safety concerns because the trees were reportedly dying "from the inside out." The board also approved eliminating a 6-hour custodial position and creating an 8-hour custodial position at Valley Jr./Sr. High School (both actions carried).

On personnel, directors approved retirements for several teachers and staff effective at the end of the 2025–26 school year and accepted a resignation for a custodian effective April 6, 2026. The board hired a substitute teacher contingent on pre-employment requirements and appointed a Life Skills PCA to an open position. One appointment vote (placing a resigned custodian on the substitute list and appointing Melissa Fry as Life Skills PCA) recorded a 6–2 roll call (Mr. Rob Fusia and Mr. Robert Pallone opposed); all other recorded motions carried unanimously.

The board approved temporary Extended School Year staffing at Roy A. Hunt Elementary (June 10–25, 2026) with specified hours and a teacher pay rate of $40 per hour, renewed the district’s PSBA membership and a SmartFutures.org subscription for 2026–27, and approved an addendum to the Pressley Ridge agreement increasing the semester rate from $20,400 to $21,400.

During committee reports, Mr. Timothy Beckes said the Buildings & Grounds Committee recommended seeking bids for the pool filtration system and removing nine trees at Roy A. Hunt; he noted the committee would meet again on April 22 and invited public attendance. Athletic Committee items discussed and later approved included establishment of an intramural program at Roy A. Hunt Elementary (two teachers at $40/hr; daily staffing $80 plus bus costs).

An audience member, Ashley Bodycombe, raised concerns about her son’s treatment and specific staff members; Solicitor Anthony Vigilante advised the board that because the matter is personnel-related it should be handled privately with the Superintendent and that board members cannot comment publicly on student discipline or personnel matters.

Votes at a glance

- 2604182 — Approve payroll, bills and treasurer’s report and budget transfers: APPROVED (unanimous). March 2026 payroll reported at $1,665,290.69; bills $6,506,253.32. - 2604183 — Exonerate school taxes for listed demolished City properties (2024–2025): APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604184 — Approve The Nutrition Group as food service management company for FY 2026–27: APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604185 — Approve renewal of Barracuda Total Email Protection (3 years, 390 users, $63,960): APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604186 — Approve Arbiter agreement for officials/referee payments (annual $2,115 + $495 implementation): APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604187 — Authorize advertisement of bids for pool filtration system at Valley Jr./Sr. High School: APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604188 — Authorize removal of nine trees at Roy A. Hunt Elementary ($22,500): APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604189 — Accept resignation of Kain Stone, custodian: APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604190 — Approve retirements for listed staff, effective end of 2025–26: APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604191 — Approve hiring Nicholas Clawson, substitute teacher (contingent): APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604192 — Appoint personnel to open positions (Melissa Fry, Life Skills PCA; Kain Stone to substitute custodian): APPROVED (6 yes, 2 no). - 2604193 — Amend 2025–26 calendar to add 2-hour delay on April 20 for PSSA prep: APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604194 — Approve elimination of a 6-hr custodial position at Valley Jr./Sr. High School: APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604195 — Approve creation of an 8-hr custodial position at Valley Jr./Sr. High School: APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604196 — Approve Temporary Extended School Year positions at Roy A. Hunt Elementary (June 10–25): APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604197 — Renew PSBA membership for 2026–27 ($10,951.29): APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604198 — Renew SmartFutures.org subscription for 2026–27 ($6,750): APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604199 — Approve addendum to Pressley Ridge agreement (semester rate increase to $21,400): APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604200 — Approve volunteers for 2025–26 (listed): APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604201 — Approve petition signing to request House take HB41 off the table (PIAA playoff separation): APPROVED (unanimous). - 2604202 — Approve intramural program at Roy A. Hunt Elementary (Mon–Thu 3:20–4:30; two teachers at $40/hr; bus costs): APPROVED (unanimous).

The board adjourned at 7:35 p.m. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.