The Sto-Rox School Board on Thursday evening welcomed new, yet familiar faces to new roles in the district. What follows is a brief recap of the second and final school board meeting of January 2024. A complete recap of the agenda can be read here.
Taylor speaks to the board as members of his family watch in the background.
New Gridiron Leader
“It’s an honor, it’s a privilege and I’m excited to get to work. This means the world to me, it’s the best location, I’m going to be here for a while.”
Those were the words spoken by new Sto-Rox Head Football Coach Chris Taylor, shortly before the board approved his hiring.
“We’re going to get to work, and we’re going to save these lives,” said Taylor. “That’s all it’s about. We’re going to use football as that vessel.”
Taylor, who also leads the BAM (Becoming A Man) program for boys in the Jr./Sr. High School, comes to Sto-Rox following a stint as the Special Teams Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator at Perry High School. However, he is no stranger to Sto-Rox, having worked with the district in the past.
“You opened your arms up to me seven years ago, and I told you I’ll be back,” he said. “I came back as a better man, and that’s what it’s all about. We’re going to guide these young men and young ladies that are going to come out, and we’re going to get to work.”
School Board Director Michael Vattimo, left, shakes the hand of Superintendent Van Fossan.
School Board Recognition
January is School Director Recognition Month, and Superintendent Megan Van Fossan saluted the Sto-Rox School Board of Directors during Thursday’s meeting, handing out certificates of appreciation.
“Most people don’t realize this is all-volunteer,” said Van Fossan. “It’s a lot of emotional work and heavy lifting that our school board of directors does.”
Van Fossan stressed the importance of how much time and effort each member of the board gives to their community.
“I would like to express on behalf of the school district our sincere thanks for everything you do, from helping on a Friday night, to helping with cheerleaders, helping with crowd control,” she continued. “Our school board does much more than show up (to school board meetings) twice a month.”
Boxley speaks to the board about student activities and accomplishments.
New Student Representative
Students in the Sto-Rox School District gained a new representative on the school board in the form of Reign Boxley. The 15-year-old sophomore honor roll student got the call recently, brightening an otherwise dreary day.
“I was out sick, and Mr. (Joe) Herzing (School Counselor) called and asked if I wanted to do it, and I agreed,” said Boxley, who is excited to start in the role. “It’s a once-in-a lifetime opportunity. It’s something that’s an opening to me, I thought as a student I could speak on what’s happening, coming from a student’s perspective.”
“We were looking for a student who has some general, all-around likeability, but a student who’s also serious and who could step up because the role has a lot of pressure,” said Jr./Sr. High School Principal Raelyn Day. We asked for some suggestions for counselors and teachers, and she was a resounding yes from quite a few. So that’s when Mr. Herzing reached out to her and we were really excited that she agreed.”
“She really likes to write,” said Day of her interests. “She also works in child care and loves to help little kids and learn new things with them.”
Reign, who succeeds Makayla Borda as student representative, touched on many issues in her report to the board:
Jr./Sr. High School students wrapping up CDT (Classroom Diagnostic Tools) testing. According to the PA Department of Education, CDT is “a set of online assessments, divided by content areas (Literacy, Mathematics, and Science), and is designed to provide diagnostic information to guide instruction in order to support intervention and enrichment.”
PBIS incentive events: Students’ good behavior and attendance is rewarded with opportunities to participate in recent events such as a dodgeball battle vs. staff member and a hot chocolate bar.
7th and 8th graders were scheduled on Friday to visit Parkway West Career and Technology Center, to learn about the 16 programs it offers. “These programs aim to prepare students for college and future careers after graduation from high school.”
Sports: Reign highlighted great performances by the Girls and Boys Varsity Basketball Teams, and Boys Basketball Coach Dwight Hines is just one win away from 100 overall. Boxley also lauded cheerleaders for their hard work. Senior Night celebrations for winter sports will be held Tuesday, February 6.
Students on Thursday, January 11 visited Pittsburgh Musical Theater in the city’s West End Neighborhood. PMT said it is looking forward to having more Sto-Rox students participate in its productions.
Six students toured ACE Wire Spring in McKees Rocks on Wednesday, January 24. The students are enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship program with Catalyst Connections. “Students were able to tour a local manufacturing facility to get up close and hands-on experience with manufacturing,” said Boxley. “ACE Wire Spring is looking forward to partnering with the school for apprenticeship opportunities.”
Donations
The district has received a flurry of donations, including several from the DonorsChoose platform. Among the highlights:
• $6,000 from the Rich Cercone Memorial Golf Outing, held in October. The money will be used for maintenance of the football field and painting the field goal uprights.
• Donation in December from The Education Partnership of Power Tools Homework Kits for Upper Elementary students.
• DonorsChoose projects included headphones and computer mice, tissues and hand sanitizer, calculators, and much more. We salute our teachers for continually reaching out and gathering support from our community and beyond.
Making Agreements
• The district approved Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with McKees Rocks, Stowe Township and Kennedy Township Police Departments covering 2024-2026.
• Discs will be flying in Sto-Rox this spring, as the district approved an MOU with Pittsburgh Ultimate to start an ultimate frisbee program for elementary students.
• The board approved a contract with Sophia’s to cater the Jr./Sr. High School Prom on Saturday, May 4 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. More details will be coming soon!
Giving Thanks
During the school board’s Thursday, January 18 Agenda Review Meeting President Cameron Culliver thanked everyone who supported the efforts to locate missing student Kayla Durler in early January, including teachers Denise McMichael and Maria Kotek, who organized a search.
Recovery Plan Update
During that same January 18 meeting, the district’s Chief Recovery Officer, Patrick O’Toole, provided an update on the district’s finances and overall status. He shared that the district recently secured a huge boost - $2 million in standalone grant money - that will fund critical infrastructure projects that have been put off for a long time.
“Your superintendent’s advocacy played a big role,” said O’Toole of Superintendent Van Fossan and her involvement in securing the grant. Ultimately, he said, “the kids deserve that money.”
Depatures
School Board Member Frank McQuillan (Region 3, At-Large) resigned prior to the meeting on Thursday, January 25. The district wishes him well in his future endeavors.
Looking Ahead
The district’s next school board meetings will take place in February. The Agenda Review Meeting will take place Thursday, February 15, while the Legislative Voting Meeting is scheduled for February 22. All school board meetings will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria, unless otherwise specified. A complete schedule of 2024 school board meetings can be found here.