The Sto-Rox School Board of Directors bid farewell at its November meeting to two directors who served a combined 14 years. Read on for more information about that and the rest of the Sto-Rox School District agenda. You can find a complete copy of the meeting recap by clicking here.
So Long, But Not Good-Bye
“Thank you for all that you’ve done, teaching me, “said Board President Cameron Culliver. “We’re better off.”
Those words encapsulated how so many school board and district staff members felt about the departing Tyler Kochirka and Lucille Young. They served six and eight years on the board, respectively, helping the district navigate difficult times.
“I knew it’s something I always wanted to do,” said Kochirka. “I didn’t know necessarily it was the right time, but looking back at those six years, it definitely was.”
He also wasn’t shy about complimenting his fellow board members.
“This is one of the best boards we’ve ever had,” he said. “That is a testament to each and every one of you, (and) to the new board members that are coming, (hopefully) they come with an open mind.”
Kochirka added it was the right time for him to move on to other things. He was elected to the Stowe Township Board of Commissioners in the November 2023 General Election.
As for Lucille Young, she said she was grateful to serve, in spite of the role’s challenges.
“It’s good to be able to go out on a positive note. It’s a lot of ‘heart’ work,” she said. “I appreciate every one of you. It’s just been a wonderful, hard, trying time that made me a little bit stronger and I’m grateful.”
She added, “I wish you all well. I am praying that everything continues to grow up. If there’s anything that I could ever do, I’m willing, and if I’m able, I will.”
The Sto-Rox School District would like to thank both Kochirk and Young for their service. We’ll miss you!
New Faces Incoming
The district also welcomed several new faces to the fold, including a Varsity Girls Basketball coach.
“First of all, I wanted to say thank you.” explained Taylor Kirschner via phone. “I’m very excited to be hired on.”
Kirschner recently graduated from Point Park University, where she played basketball and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Science. Sto-Rox will be her first head coaching job. Her management experience includes directing the CJ2K League at Brady’s Run Park, a basketball league that developed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s definitely been a pleasure getting to meet everybody,” said, adding that Sto-Rox “is definitely a place I want to be involved in.”
The board also heard from Chris Galiszewski, who is joining the district as an Emotional Support Teacher for grades 7-12. While he currently lives in North Carolina, he’s familiar with Sto-Rox. He grew up in the South Hills and played high school football here.
“It was time for a change, to get back to the area,” he told the board via video call. “What better way to get back into it.” Galiszewski added he’d like to explore coaching opportunities as well.
BAM: Becoming A Man
The board also heard from Andrew Johnson and Chris Taylor from BAM, Becoming A Man. The Chicago-based group expanded to Pittsburgh this fall.
“The young men are working on what we want to teach them,” said Taylor, who has personal connections to Sto-Rox. “They’re thinking about thinking.”
School counselors work hand-in-hand with BAM to help 7th to 12th grade boys to help them reach their full academic and personal potential. The program focuses on school-based counseling and mentoring while promoting social-emotional and psychological well-being.
“We’re going to change the culture with the young men,” said Taylor.
Added Superintendent Megan Van Fossan, “What’s really nice is that (Taylor) works well with Joe Herzing.” Acting on Herzing’s recommendation, “We reached out to BAM and said this is the person we liked. The staff have been very excited you’re back.”
More than 70 Sto-Rox boys are involved in BAM, including visits to local universities and trade schools/businesses to help them figure out their path after graduation.
Additionally, there are discussions about starting WOW - a womanhood program - with similar aims to BAM’s.
Restoring And Uplifting
Jennie Smith, a Restorative Practices Coordinator for the district from the Just Discipline Project at the University of Pittsburgh’s Center on Race and Social Problems, delivered an update on her latest efforts based at Sto-Rox Upper Elementary.
“I’m blown away by how focused students have been,” she said. “I’ve seen a definite change in the students.”
Smith works with students in groups and one-on-one to help them set academic and behavioral goals. She oversees the restorative justice work being done in the Upper Elementary classrooms. For instance, she has logged 127 circles - more than 100 of which were circles led by teachers each morning with scripts created by the school counselor and the dean. Another 19 were healing circles, a form of peer mediation.
“This year, compared to last year, a majority of those are referred to me by students,” said Smith. She explained that students will sometimes tell her, “‘Hey my friend is really struggling with a peer… I don’t know what to do, can you help?’”
Smith said that’s one way students are taking leadership of their classes and classmates. She went on to say she has helped train her LIT - Leaders In Training - team in how to run circles, to practice active listening and to have a conversation without taking sides.
“I’m looking forward to continued growth within the students, staff and faculty at the Upper Elementary.”
Odds And Ends
• The board approved its evaluation of Superintendent Van Fossan, with compensation adjustments aligned with the terms in her contract.
• ”Big yes!” said Kochirka as the board also approved a new five-year contract with the Sto-Rox Education Support Professionals Association, the union for district support staff. The agreement will be retroactive to July 1, 2023 and run through June 30, 2028.
• The board also approved a series of donations form district residents and through DonorsChoose projects. Donations included $500 in memory of former teacher Glen Bednar $970 in memory of former teacher Leonarda Dudash. We thank their families - and everyone else - who has donated to help the Sto-Rox School District.
Looking Ahead
The Sto-Rox School Board of Directors’ next meeting will ba Reorganization Meeting on December 7 at the Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria. We look forward to welcoming new board members, including Frank McQuillan and any qualifying write-in candidates.