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Pine-Richland School Board
PR School Board: (Back Row: L-R) Vice President Therese Dawson, directors Steven Stegman, Marc Casciani, Peter Lyons and Greg DiTullio, (Front Row: L-R) Director Holly Johnston, President Jeffrey Banyas, Treasurer Dennis Sundo and Director Virginia Goebel.
Many people help to shape our school district, but the Pine-Richland Board of Education answers both to the community and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
As a group, the board is not an administrative body. Board members set policy for administrators to carry out. School boards have three essential functions: planning, setting policies and evaluating results.
To contact board members, visit our director page and click on individual profiles, which contain email addresses, or you can email the board secretary at boardsecretary@pinerichland.org,724-625-7773, ext. 6100.
Board members are required to engage in strategic planning by regulations of the State Board of Education. Reports of the results of the planning efforts must be filed with the Department of Education. Planning activities must include enrollment projections, staffing needs, building usage and budget requirements.PlanningSetting Policy
The central responsibility of a board, both in theory and in law, is to be the policy-forming body. The idea of local control of education means the policies governing the operation of schools are to be formed in response to local needs and desires. Policy means actions of the board that set written goals and objectives for the school district. A process of systematic policy review contributes significantly to the smooth operation of the district.
Evaluating Results
The board must evaluate the results of planning. Evaluation completes the loop and, in fact, leads to more planning. Evaluation occurs all the time. Curriculum reviews, reports of student achievement, budget forecasts and facilities studies are examples of formal reports, presented to the board and the public at open board meetings.
Once the board sets direction, the superintendent of schools, the administrative team and the entire staff work cooperatively and creatively to carry out the board's objectives.Elected by the board, the superintendent serves as the chief executive officer. It is his/her responsibility to recommend the appointment of all other personnel to the board, for their review and approval, and to bring recommendations to the board for action in carrying out the mission of the school district.Board Representation
The school board approved a plan to re-align the electoral districts for the election of school directors. The plan expanded Region # 2 and added three electoral districts from Pine. Regions # 2 encompasses portions of both townships. Information on the realignment, polling locations and a map of voting districts
All school directors serve four-year terms and receive no compensation for their commitment of time and energy. The school board secretary and solicitor are elected by the board and serve in a non-voting capacity.Candidates for the board of school directors must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of Pennsylvania and a resident of Pine or Richland Township for one year. If a vacancy occurs midterm, the members of the school board will appoint someone to serve until a successor is elected at the next municipal general election.
