Jul 26, 2016 4 min read

Belle Vernon School Board unanimously voted Monday to secure ownership of property at 1181 Fells Church Road that was donated by the district to Westmoreland County Community College in 1990 to run an educational facility there.

The district was informed in the spring that WCCC would no longer be offering classes at the building, which served as the WCCC Mon Valley branch campus. The original agreement stated WCCC could use the building under the condition that it was for educational programming. Since classes ceased at the campus in the spring, the property will now be returned to the district.

Superintendent Dr. John Wilkinson said that during the life of agreement, WCCC offered two scholarships to students from Fayette and Westmoreland counties and also offered in-county tuition rates to students in Fayette County. Wilkinson said since the property is being given back to the district, the scholarships for Westmoreland and Fayette County students, as well as the tuition discount for Fayette County students, will no longer be available.

Wilkinson said the district does not have plans yet for using the building but a purpose for it will be found.

“It is a good asset. The building is in great shape,” Wilkinson said. Board President Joe Grata said the board plans to schedule a time to tour the building within the next two months.

The board voted to approve nine volunteer members for the BVA Charitable Fund Committee. Among the nine members are Wilkinson, School board Secretary Toni-Jo Kunka, and Grata.

Other committee members include First National Bank Branch manager Mary Esther Antal, Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gina Lynn, Belle Vernon Area Rotary Club representative Dr. James V. Scirotto, business community representative Tom Svrcek, Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jamie Proti, and retired Westmoreland County Court Judge Gary Caruso.

“The goal is to generate long-lasting resources that will benefit students, improve the overall quality of education and enhance the school and community in general as attractive places to learn and live,” Grata said.

This committee will serve as a fundraising entity under the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, which has accumulated over 200 individual funds and assets in excess of $22 million since its establishment in 1995.

“The BVA Charitable Fund will be one of those gifts that keeps on giving,” Grata said. He said once the fund is established and begins accumulating assets, distribution will be used to supplement school programs and facilities that are typically financed through local taxes and state and federal governments.

According to a statement issued at the meeting, money for the fund will be brought in through endowments, memorials, general donations, earmarks, class reunion contributions, estate bequeaths, special fundraising events as well as through the United Way of Westmoreland County and the United Way of the Mon Valley through the designation code 90000390.

It was also reported in the statement that at a recent meeting with officials from the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, the committee agreed to develop a strategic plan and set specific goals in order to help inform the community of how the funds will be spent and how the money will be secured.

The board approved several new policies as well as a revision to the class rank policy that will award students who earn a total quality point value of 4.15 or higher with recognition as a Graduate of Distinction, in addition to the valedictorian and salutatorian.

The board authorized Wilkinson to enter into a five-year contract with Pepsi-Cola. Wilkinson said the district had previously had a contract with Coca-Cola for vending machines, but the company wanted another day to offer a better bid.

“Their numbers are their numbers,” Secretary Daniel Sepesky said. Wilkinson said it takes about a month to get the machines and he also said Pepsi was more aggressive with its offer, giving the board reason to go with Pepsi-Cola rather than give Coca-Cola a chance to present another bid.