The Sto-Rox School Board held its final meeting of October last Thursday evening. It featured several athletic-related topics including a new leader of the Sto-Rox Athletic Department. Read on for details about the changes happening in Sto-Rox and everything else happening in our schools. Click here for a complete recap of the meeting.
Butschle readies to address the board.
Familiar Face Returns as Athletic Director
”Once you’re a Viking, you’re always a Viking,” said Administrative Advisor Michael Hauser as he introduced the newest member of the Sto-Rox Athletic Department. “Because he got his start in Sto-Rox, something happened in his brain and his heart so it is now coming full circle.”
With that ringing endorsement - from his friend and neighbor - Ronald Butschle was introduced as the Athletic Director for Sto-Rox School District.
If that name sounds familiar to Sto-Rox families, it should.
“It’s been in my heart since the first day I walked into this cafeteria, through those doors,” he said as he gestured toward the cafeteria doors along Valley Street. “The very first day I walked in, in 1988.”
He was a student-teacher then, moving up the teaching ladder and leading the Sto-Rox Vikings Football team from 2000-2003 and 2010-2011. The Chicago native has led students in Western Pennsylvania throughout his career in teaching and administrative posts, most recently settling into a home at Seneca Valley. He was also the head coach of the Raiders football team twice, taking over for the second time in 2018. However, part of his heart remained green and white.
“I have made some of the greatest friends and relationships of my lifetime being in these hallways and on this field,” he said, name checking both teachers and school board members in attendance at the meeting.
Dr. Patrick O’Toole, the district’s Chief Recovery Officer, reached out to Butschle to gauge his interest in a part-time, administrative position.
“I said, well what school? And he said, ‘Sto-Rox.’ My heart jumped through my chest.”
“To have the opportunity to come here as a retired educator - I retired last year from teaching - and be a positive influence in the school and the community, I can’t even thank you enough for thinking of me and having me here,” Butschle continued. “I walked around the hallway the other day, and I felt like I walked into the house I grew up in.”
Butschle promised to give Sto-Rox everything he’s got.
“I’ve been here when the community and the school are thriving because of the athletics here,” he said. “I know what it feels like…if I can help that community and that school thrive because of athletics again, then I’m your man.”
Butschle will take over the reins of the Sto-Rox Athletic Department from Josh Kemp, who will remain with the district as a full-time building substitute. We thank Josh for all his hard work over the past months!
Going It Alone
The Sto-Rox Athletics Department will field a gymnastics team - of one - this year. An’Jolie Edwards will compete as a varsity gymnast for Sto-Rox with her mother - Brittany Word-Edwards - as her coach.
“She competes in Robinson,” explained Superintendent Megan Van Fossan. “For her to compete as a high school athlete, you have to be attached to a school. She wants to compete, we’re just making it possible. Mom’s making it possible by being her volunteer coach.”
In addition, Hauser, Butschle and O’Toole helped put this initiative together. Edwards will practice at her home gym in Robinson and compete in local meets as a Sto-Rox representative. We wish her the best of luck!
Borda addresses the board.
Student Representative’s Report
Makayla Borda delivered her report for October, highlighting several of the great things happening across the district. She honored the district’s sports teams, including the Girls Volleyball Team who finished their season with a Senior Night celebration; the Middle School Football Team who finished their season undefeated; and the Varsity Football Team who wrapped up their season Friday with a Senior Night game against Seton LaSalle.
Borda also spoke about district events including the high school’s PBIS Committee hosting a “movie day” for students who earned a certain number of “R.A.I.S.E.” tickets. Those tickets are rewarded for positive behavior accomplishments. She also saluted the dozens of students who took part in a community cleanup earlier in the week with Tri-State Office Furniture, Steel City Impact and The Pirate Parrot. She also highlighted the ‘Trig & Treat’ Title I event happening Friday, among other Halloween-themed events in the district.
Donations, Donations, Donations
• The district accepted Donors Choose projects for teachers and administrators including MaryBeth Fisher, Robin Cato, Jes Bromley and Alaina Smith.
• The district also accepted a donation of 300 Backpacks with supplies from the Costco in Robinson Township and a donation from The Education Partnership of seven pallets of reusable Giant Eagle Bags, 550 water bottles and 160 book sets for Kindergarteners and 1st graders.
• Reusable Giant Eagle Bags and water bottles were also donated to the Jr./Sr. High School.
• ARCOSA donated $2,500 to support the district’s STEM Initiative that includes the purchase of a STEM Coding Lab for 2nd-7th graders. ARCOSA has helped the district in the past, including by painting our building’s hallways!
Slippery Rock University Partnership
The district approved an agreement with Slippery Rock University to place student teachers in Sto-Rox through 2028. As Superintendent Van Fossan mentioned during the previous school board meeting, this was an opportunity to place more young teachers in the district to help them gain necessary skills and experience. The board on Thursday approved three placements to get the agreement underway.
What’s Next?
The next Sto-Rox School Board meeting will be a combined Agenda Review/Legislative Voting meeting on Thursday, November 16 at 7 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria. That will be followed by a post-Election Day reorganization meeting at the same time and location on Thursday, December 7.