At its Jan. 7 meeting the Mount Pleasant Area SD board approved routine personnel actions, vendor contracts, a guaranteed energy-savings amendment for a natatorium roof repair, curriculum updates including a new rock-band elective, and appointed Don Cedar as the district representative to the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center (approved 8–0 with one abstention).
JR Deritsa, the district business manager, told the board the district has received $1.4 million in state funds so far this fiscal year versus $7.1 million at the same point last year, leaving an approximate $5.6 million shortfall.
The board approved a set of consent agenda items including an agreement with Merakey for student placement, a clinical placement agreement with West Virginia University, updates to several policies, conference travel approvals, school bus driver approvals and the establishment of a junior high PBIS student activity fund.
The board approved an early-retirement incentive for professional employees, accepted Elizabeth Craig’s resignation effective Nov. 25, 2025 (she is taking an administrative post at Greensburg Salem SD), and publicly thanked outgoing board member Drew Knobsnider; William Johnson will be sworn in at the Dec. 3 reorganization meeting.
The board approved terminating a cooperative athletics agreement with Greensburg Central Catholic; board members said Greensburg Salem will pull together boys and girls swimming under one co-op rather than split resources.
The board approved the district's yearly agreement with Westmoreland County Juvenile Probation allowing probation officers to carry firearms on school premises.
The board approved Policy 151 to permit approved handlers and therapy dogs to visit district schools; district staff explained the approval process for handlers and dogs.
The Mount Pleasant School Board granted tenure to two teachers and approved a slate of personnel actions including mentor teachers, a school police officer hire, support nurses and athletic personnel.
A parent and a student spoke during public comment asking the Mount Pleasant Area School District to develop a girls wrestling program, citing participation growth, safety concerns and college opportunities. A board member said the athletic committee has discussed the topic and will continue to do so.
