October 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM - Business Meeting
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1. Opening Items
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1.A. Call Meeting to Order
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Jeanette Miller, School Board President
Description:
The workshop session will be called to order, and the agenda for the evening will begin.
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1.B. Executive Session - This announcement is being made to follow Act 84 of 1986, Pennsylvania's Sunshine Law, as amended.
Speaker(s):
Jeanette Miller, School Board President
Description:
The President will announce if there was an Executive Session since the last meeting.
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1.C. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Jeanette Miller, School Board President
Description:
The Board and attendees will recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
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1.D. Roll Call
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Brittany Enders, Board Secretary
Description:
Roll call will be conducted, and Board member attendance will be recorded.
Ms. Anitre' Bell Mr. Monte Buckins Mrs. Carla Buxton Mr. Daniel Caton Mrs. Victoria Gill Mrs. Anissa Klesser Mrs. Jeanette Miller Mr. Dave Piroli Mrs. Lindsay Zupsic |
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1.E. Approval of Minutes
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Jeanette Miller, School Board President
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend to approve the following minutes from September 15, 2026
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
Recommend to approve the following minutes from October 6, 2026
Attachments:
()
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1.F. Student and Staff Spotlights
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Jeanette Miller, School Board President
Description:
The Student and Staff Spotlight recognizes individuals who demonstrate Viking Pride and exemplify what it means to be a Hopewell Viking. Each spotlight celebrates students and staff who positively represent the values, character, and spirit of the Hopewell Area School District.
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1.G. Superintendent Announcements
Speaker(s):
Dr. Maura Hobson, Superintendent
Description:
The Superintendent will provide updates and share information of interest to the Board and the public.
Attachments:
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2. Presentations to the Board
Speaker(s):
Jeanette Miller, School Board President
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2.A. Matt Mottes, 412 Football Classic commemorative plaque
Speaker(s):
Matt Mottes, Hopewell Varsity Football Coach
Description:
Football showcase in Pittsburgh hosted at F.N.B. Stadium, featuring Western Pennsylvania teams.
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2.B. Jocelyn Sabruno, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Speaker(s):
Ms. Jocelyn Sabruno, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
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3. Public Comments on Agenda and Non-Agenda Items
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Jeanette Miller, School Board President
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3.A. Public Comment on Agenda and Non-Agenda Items
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Jeanette Miller, School Board President
Description:
Stakeholders that wish to address the Board of School Directors in-person during Public Comments must complete a Blue Card (available at the meeting) in its ENTIRETY and provide it to the Board Secretary BY 7:00 P.M. Each person wishing to speak during public comment must register for themselves and deposit the Blue Card for themselves. Completing and/or depositing a Blue Card on behalf of someone else is strictly prohibited. Public comments are limited to three minutes.
A maximum of 30 minutes will be reserved for community comments during Board meetings. Each community member will have up to 3 minutes to speak and must begin by stating his or her name and township of residence. Participants must only speak once during the visitors' portion. Responses may be given during the meeting, but some inquiries may be addressed later by the District or Solicitor. If District follow-up is needed, the individual will be contacted directly, or a response will be shared at a future meeting. Speaking Protocols Participants must be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface their comments by an announcement of their name, township, and group affiliation if applicable. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic, unless all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard. Statements made by participants may be limited to three (3) minutes in duration. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer; no participant may address or question Board members individually. The presiding officer may interrupt or terminate a participant's statement when the statement is too lengthy, personally directed, abusive, obscene, or irrelevant; request any individual to leave the meeting when that person does not observe reasonable decorum; request the assistance of law enforcement officers to remove a disorderly person when his/her conduct interferes with the orderly progress of the meeting; call a recess or adjourn to another time when the lack of public decorum interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting; or waive these rules with the approval of the Board. (The above are excerpts from HASD Board Policy 903, Public Participation in Board Meetings, which can be found in full in the HASD Board Policy Manual.) |
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4. Buildings and Grounds
Speaker(s):
Mr. Caton, Chair; Mr. Piroli, Co-Chair
Recommended Motion(s):
Resolution 22-2026 The Administration recommends approval of a Resolution scheduling a public hearing in accordance with Section 780 of the Pennsylvania School Code of 1949, as amended, for November 10, 2026, on the question of closing Hopewell Memorial Junior High School, consolidate current school buildings, and authorize the Board Secretary to give public notice of the hearing as required by law. (Roll call)
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
Approve the Hopewell Girls Varsity Basketball Boosters to hold a Junior High Winter Basketball League on Saturdays during January and February 2027, utilizing the Main and Auxiliary Gyms at the Senior High School.
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5. Educational, Curriculum, and Instruction Committee Items
Speaker(s):
Ms. Anitre' Bell, Chair Mrs. Anissa Klesser, Co-Chair Mrs. Lindsay Zupsic, Co-Chair
Recommended Motion(s):
Mr. Gill and Mrs. Muller, Student Council Sponsors, and approximately 30 Student Council members in grades 7 and 8 to attend Education Engineering Days at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, on Tuesday, June 1, 2027. All costs associated with the trip will be covered through Student Council fundraising efforts, resulting in no cost to the district.
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
Memorandum of Understanding between Hopewell Area School District and Chelsea Cockburn, MD, for medical authorization services supporting the District's participation in the Pennsylvania School-Based ACCESS Program (SBAP) and Medical Assistance reimbursement program, at the rate indicated in the MOU. The agreement is effective September 15, 2026, through June 30, 2029.
Recommended Motion(s) #3:
Resolution 20-2026 authorizing the withdrawal of the Midland Borough School District as a Participating School District in the Beaver County Career and Technology Center Jointure, effective July 1, 2026. (Roll Call)
Recommended Motion(s) #4:
Approve Mary Boldt's request to complete her student teaching at Hopewell Memorial Junior High School through Drexel University under the supervision of Bryan Testa, effective December 14, 2026, through April 2, 2027.
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6. Finance and Budget Committee Items
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Lindsay Zupsic, Chair Mrs. Vicky Gill,Co-Chair
Recommended Motion(s):
Financial Reports:
-Tax Collection - September 2026
-Treasurer Report - September 2026
-Financial Statements - September 2026
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
Payment of bills: (Roll call)
-General Fund list of Bills in the amount of $1,457,218.67
-Cafeteria Fund list of bills in the amount of $67,821.12
Payment to be ratified:
-General Fund payments to be ratified in the amount of $1,948,978.92
-Capital Reserve payments to be ratified in the amount of $34,663.20
Recommended Motion(s) #3:
Approve the budget transfers as presented on the attached document.
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7. Legislative
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Klesser, Chair; Mrs. Buxton, Co-Chair
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion is made to authorize the Hopewell Area School District to enter into an Attorney Client Fee Contract with the Frantz Law Group and Dillon McCandless for the commencement of a legal action against the Social Media Companies (Meta, Tik Tok, You Tube, etc.). Said action shall be for the purpose of claiming money damages.
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8. Personnel Committee
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Lindsay Zupsic, Chair Ms. Anitre' Bell, Co-Chair
Recommended Motion(s):
Approve half-year sabbatical leave of absence for Employee #2111, for the second half of the 2026-2027 school year.
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
Approve 2026-2027 winter coaches and salaries.
Recommended Motion(s) #3:
Approve resignation of Mark Cropper as a substitute custodian, effective September 30, 2026.
Recommended Motion(s) #4:
Approve resignation of Nick DeSalle as Sponsor of the Junior High Stock Market Club.
Recommended Motion(s) #5:
Approve Agneska Certich in a permanent cafeteria position, effective October 19, 2026.
Recommended Motion(s) #6:
Approve Hannah Szczesny as an Elementary Special Education Teacher, with an anticipated start date on or around December 18, 2026, pending her release from her current school district. (Roll call)
Recommended Motion(s) #7:
Approve the unpaid leave for Employee #2327 from November 12, 2026 through January 2, 2027.
Recommended Motion(s) #8:
Resignation of Jason Ricci, Bus Driver in the Transportation Department, effective October 8, 2026.
Recommended Motion(s) #9:
Employment of James Ginther as a permanent Bus Driver in the Transportation Department, pending completion of all required clearances.
Recommended Motion(s) #10:
Employment of Kevin Bitts as a substitute Bus Driver in the Transportation Department, pending completion of all required clearances.
Recommended Motion(s) #11:
Employment of Mary Cook as a substitute Bus Driver in the Transportation Department, pending completion of all required clearances.
Recommended Motion(s) #12:
Approve Sydney D'Agostino as a volunteer Bocce coach for the 2026-2027 season.
Recommended Motion(s) #13:
Employment of Joy Unger as a substitute secretary and aide, effective December 21, 2026.
Recommended Motion(s) #14:
Approve resignation of Kathi Lopez, Varsity Swim Coach, effective October 8, 2026.
Recommended Motion(s) #15:
Approve the employment of Katelin Book, long term substitute physical education teacher for Hopewell Elementary, Independence Elementary and Margaret Ross Elementary effective October 21, 2026.
Recommended Motion(s) #16:
Approve the employment of Rachel Gulbrandsen, long term substitute teacher at Hopewell Elementary, effective October 22, 2026.
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9. Informational Items
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Jeanette Miller, School Board President
Description:
Upcoming FundraisersSenior High Fundraisers:
Junior High Fundraisers:
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10. Other Business
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Jeanette Miller, School Board President
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11. Upcoming Presentations to the Board
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Jeanette Miller, School Board President
Description:
Mr. Piroli, Facilities and Grounds Department
Mrs. Martin, Technology Department DRAW Collective |
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12. Upcoming School Board Meetings
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Jeanette Miller, School Board President
Description:
November 3, 2026 — Regular Work Meeting, Central Administration Board Room at 7:00p.m.
November 17, 2026 — Regular Business Meeting, Central Administration Board Room at 7:00p.m. |
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13. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Jeanette Miller, School Board President
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