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School Board

group shot of the school board
1st row, left to right, Christina Brussalis, Board Vice President Lisa Hillman, Amy Terchick, Leslie Miller, Ashley Fortier
2nd row, left to right, Michael Wiethorn, Board President Philip Morrissette, Joseph Cassidy, Treasurer Marc Casciani
The Pine-Richland School Board is represented by directors who have a policy review background, financial, business, and legal experience. Some board members are very involved with the activities and programs in which their children are involved at PRSD, while others have children who are graduates of the district.
 
Individual email addresses for board members are listed below. If you would like to address the board in their entirety, please send correspondence to the Pine-Richland School Board Secretary at boardsecretary@pinerichland.org or 724-625-7773, ext. 6100.

School Directors

School Board Governance Areas and Subject Leads

Governance Area Subject Lead
Academic Achievement Mrs. Christina Brussalis
Building & Grounds Mr. Joe Cassidy
Finance Mr. Marc Casciani
Operational Services Mrs. Amy Terchick
Staff Services Mr. Mike Wiethorn
Student Services Mrs. Leslie Miller

External Assignments

Food Service Advisory and Wellness Committee

  • Mrs. Ashley Fortier, Representative

A.W. Beattie Career Center

  • Mr. Joe Cassidy, Representative (1-year term ending 12/2025)
  • Mrs. Leslie Miller, Representative (2-year term ending 12/2026)

Pennsylvania School Boards Association

  • Mrs. Leslie Miller, Representative

Pine Township Parks and Recreation

  • Mrs. Amy Terchick
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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.
 

Planning

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.

Setting 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. 

Learn more at What is a School Board

Roles and Responsibilities of Pine-Richland School Board Leadership

pine-richland school board letterhead

Purpose and Philosophy

To define the duties and responsibilities of board leadership and positions of president, vice president, treasurer, and subject leads. 
 

Board Leadership

Board leadership positions consist of the board president, vice president and treasurer. Board leadership maintains a bird’s eye view over the daily governing of the district and participates in regular communication with the superintendent (e.g., monthly agenda phone call).
 

Responsibilities of Board Leadership Positions

Board President

The board president is elected at the annual reorganization meeting in December. He/she assumes responsibility for the overall function of the board including presiding over and conducting all board meetings per board policy and Roberts Rules of Order.  

The board president also plays an extremely important role on the interpersonal side of the board.  He/she must solicit and be responsive to other board members’ views, manage different personalities and perspectives, and work to create and maintain a trusting relationship with the administration.  Monitoring and nurturing positive dynamics by creating an environment in which board members feel engaged, included, respected, and able to make a positive contribution are important aspects of the position.

In addition, the board president has the responsibility to:

  1. Ensure the entire board governs effectively;
  2. To support and maintain positive relationships with each board member;
  3. Ensure the entire board collaborates cohesively through the DECIDE model;
  4. Work with board secretary, board leadership and/or superintendent when appropriate;
  5. Lead the whole board in focusing on completing its strategic plan goals;
  6. Appoint subject leads for each specific governance area (finance, building and grounds, academic achievement, student services, staff services and operational services); 
  7. Network and engage with community members;
  8. Direct the interview process for the appointment of any board vacancy that may occur;
  9. Direct the search and interview process for the appointment of the superintendent of schools;
  10. Gather entire board feedback on the superintendent’s performance for a mid-year and end-of-year evaluation; and
  11. Collect, compile and distribute an annual board self-assessment report.

Board Vice President

The board vice president is elected at the annual Reorganization meeting in December. In the board president’s absence, the vice president presides at and conducts any board meeting per board policy and Roberts Rules.  The vice president also works in conjunction with the board president to ensure the board works towards its strategic goals.

Board Treasurer

The position of treasurer is board-approved during the month of May. The treasurer maintains a close relationship with the district’s director of finance in all aspects of financial management.  The treasurer serves as a liaison between district administration and the entire board as well as serves as subject lead for Finance meetings.

Subject Leads

Subject leads are assigned annually by the board president following the reorganization meeting. Each subject lead spearheads meetings scheduled for specific areas of governance, including but not limited to finance, academic achievement, building and grounds, student services, staff services and operational services.  Each subject lead maintains a relationship with an individual senior leadership team member(s) with the expertise of his/her specific subject.