Board members pressed the superintendent for options after widespread storm disruptions: keep virtual instruction, build in snow days, start the year earlier, or use spring-break makeup days. Staff flagged state reporting rules, AP and Keystone testing windows, bargaining implications and unequal impacts across elementary and secondary students.
The superintendent presented the district's three-year comprehensive plan draft required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, outlined steering-committee work and emerging themes, and announced four community focus groups and an email (compplanfcasd.edu) for public feedback before the March board review and the district's March 31 submission to PDE.
Board was told multiple change orders for Hartwood Elementary's HVAC project will be presented for approval next week (several amounts read into the record). Staff said most increases came from unexpected building conditions; the high-school project estimate nearly tripled after engineering review and the district plans tiered options and further cost analysis.
The Fox Chapel Area School District board accepted an unmodified audit for fiscal year ending 6/30/2025, heard auditors report a $2.6 million net increase in fund balance, and approved seven finance actions including disbursements, budget transfers and a resolution not to exceed the Act 1 index for 2026-27.
Hartwood Elementary students and Fox Leadership Council members presented JAM kindness projects and career-technical programs; the superintendent announced the district was named a Purple Star School for supporting military-connected families.
Board members and the superintendent discussed major staffing gaps in the district's science and middle-school math departments, challenges filling physics positions statewide, and plans for earlier postings and higher-education outreach to recruit certified candidates.
At its Dec. 2 reorganization meeting the Fox Chapel Area School District board sworn in newly elected directors, elected board officers for the year and made committee appointments. The board also set a 2026 meeting calendar and approved routine procedural items.
Director of Finance presented four finance items including the Allegheny Intermediate Unit joint purchasing resolution and renewal of AMCA Systems LLC TaxTrac software for $3,050; all four items were approved by roll call.
Two public commenters, Rock and Marsha Ferrone, told the board they exposed a public corruption case and alleged the district and its solicitor have been used to persecute them; they said litigation currently includes the district and offered to provide more information.
The board adopted multiple policy revisions, approved personnel resignations and appointments, ratified volunteers, and accepted a donated Cordoba classical guitar for Hartwood Elementary during its Dec. 2 meeting.