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Southmoreland School District board meeting, Sep 15, 2026

21 min · 2 public speakers

Reading and test scores ▶ 1:48

This board doesn’t post agenda times. Click a board member to jump to where they first speak; we list only members whose voice our check named. Video length 21 min.

  1. Who spoke · first speaks at
What happened

What happened at this meeting

Southmoreland board takes up $937,500 roof grant request and $59,435 van purchase 10:33

  • The solicitor said board members have 3 voting options, yes, no or abstain, and that a non-responsive vote is to be marked as an abstention. 2:25
  • The motion to approve the August 18th, 2026 meeting minutes passed. 3:10
  • The board took up a resolution to request $937,500 in public school facility improvement grant funding for roof renovations and the purchase of a van for $59,435. 10:33
  • One board member said they had cast no votes during the meeting and had been denied all information on the agenda. 17:59

Until Nov 4, lines where a board member takes a side don't name the member. Why →

Item by item (15)
  1. Opening and executive session 0:00
    • The meeting opened with the pledge and a roll call. ~0:00
    • The board met in executive session at 6:00 PM on September 15th to discuss the personnel log and tax appeals. 0:27
  2. Superintendent's report 0:43
    • The superintendent said the monthly student award celebration would start in October and thanked those involved in the start of the school year. 0:48
    • Asked about achievement test scores, the staff member said the state had communicated to hold off all talk on state assessment results because they were being reviewed. 1:48
  3. Solicitor and other reports 2:16
    • The solicitor said there are only 3 voting options, yes, no or abstain, and advised that any non-responsive vote be marked as an abstention under Robert's Rules. 2:25
    • The business manager and transportation director had nothing beyond what had been reported in BoardDocs. 2:53
  4. Approval of meeting minutes 3:07
    • The board was asked to approve minutes of the August 18th, 2026 discussion voting meeting. 3:10
    • The motion passed. ~3:40
  5. Student representatives and student report 3:42
    • The board was asked to appoint student representatives and an alternate to the board for the 2026⁠-⁠27 school year. 3:42
    • A student representative reported that Interact Club leaders joined more than 200 volunteers to pack 1,400 boxes of meals for people in need. 5:18
    • A student representative said the Interact Club is collecting used sneakers through Monday, October 5th. 5:54
  6. Policy updates first read 6:33
    • The board was asked to post policy updates for 30 days, and a speaker said 4 were mandated and the rest recommended. 6:36
  7. Personnel items 7:10
    • The board was asked to approve the personnel log for September 15th, 2026 and a list of mentor teachers for the 2026⁠-⁠27 school year. 7:12
    • The board was also asked to approve an annual educational field experience agreement with Grand Canyon University. 7:54
  8. Education agreements and forum membership 8:17
    • The board was asked to approve an annual student service agreement with Linkage Intersite LLC and membership in the Westmoreland County Forum for Workforce Development at an annual cost of $5,000 for a 3-year period. 8:19
    • A staff member said the forum meets once a month as a partnership between school districts and employers on career readiness, and that membership opens doors to some grant funding. 8:54
  9. Financial reports and tax appeals 9:49
    • The board was asked to approve monthly financial reports, including the Treasurer's Report. 9:50
  10. Van purchase 10:33
    • The board was asked to approve the purchase of a 2025 Chevy Express 2500 10-passenger van for $59,435, including a standard warranty. 10:33
    • Asked how many miles were on the van, a speaker said it was understood to be a brand new vehicle and offered to get the odometer reading. 10:56
    • The speaker said the vendor had explained the district would have the full warranty. 11:13
  11. Roof renovation grant resolution 11:36
    • The board was asked to approve a resolution to request $937,500 in public school facility improvement grant funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for roof renovations. 11:39
    • A speaker said the district had applied but the state delayed review of applications by a month. 11:58
    • A staff member thanked those who helped write the grant. 12:36
  12. Probation officers carrying firearms 13:11
    • The board was asked to approve Westmoreland County Juvenile Probation Department officers carrying firearms on school property effective 10/1/2026 through 9/30/2027. 13:11
  13. Citizens' comments 13:39
    • A staff member said a board member typically fills out a form when abstaining only to attach the reason for a conflict of interest to the board minutes. 16:03
    • A speaker at public comment said a stadium locker room for girls failed inspection for minor issues and asked the district to stay persistent in getting it completed. 16:53
  14. Board member remarks 17:52
    • One board member said they had cast no votes during the meeting and had been denied all information on the agenda. 17:59
    • One board member questioned advice given by the board's attorney and said the board should get rid of its attorney and hire someone else. 19:16
  15. Adjournment 20:28
    • A motion to adjourn was made and seconded. 20:28

Written by software from the meeting's transcript and checked sentence by sentence against it.

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Video: posted by the district as “Southmoreland School Board Meeting 9/15/2026”