Cindy Alexander stories, Page 3

The Shaler Area School Board held its annual reorganization meeting on Dec. 8, swearing in two newly-elected and two existing board members, all chosen by the public to serve a four-year term in the recent November election. New members Elizabeth Dunn and Edward J. Kress were sworn in at the...

Parents of Shaler Middle School students received notification on Jan. 11 that principal Dr. Eric Stennett was going on immediate leave. The letter to parents gave no reason for Stennett’s unexpected leave, citing the “confidentiality regarding personnel matters” in the district. “I don’t think we can offer interviews on the...

During its regular meeting held on Dec. 14, the Shaler board of commissioners passed the 2022 budget by a unanimous vote. Overall, the budget has increased revenues of 7.42% and increased expenditures of 13.9%. The total amount of general fund expenditures for 2022 is $14,598,841. The local property tax millage...

The North Hills School Board held its annual reorganization meeting on Dec. 7. Current school board president Allison Mathis was unanimously elected for another term and will hold the position until December 2022. “It is both an honor and a great responsibility to serve as president of the North Hills...

Hampton council on Dec. 15 passed a budget that will enact no increase to taxes in 2022. “Overall revenues are projected to increase by $1,163,000 to $15,902,000,” said Finance Director Rob Omecene via email, with most of the revenue increase coming from the covid Relief Funds. Expenses for the township...

The Ross Township Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the 2022 township budget on Dec. 6. The 2022 budget total is $40,498,181, compared to the 2021 budget total of 39,685,050 – an increase of $813,131. The largest increase, 12.5%, was capital projects, more specifically, road and building improvements. “Most of (the)...

The weather cooperated with unseasonably warm temperatures. Families and community officials gathered together to celebrate the season. Children ran from event to event and the band Act 80’s played Christmas music during Shaler’s Lite Up Night on Nov. 20. The annual event was held at the Shaler North Hills Library...

After having to cancel last year due to covid, the Hampton Band Holiday Extravaganza returns Dec. 4. “It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Deb Brady, a Hampton band parent volunteer. “The proceeds go to the entire district band program, from fourth grade to 12th grade.” It’s set 10...

North Hills School District is once again putting out its seasonal best with the Hilltop Holiday Town, opening Dec. 3 at North Hills High School. Due to covid guidelines last year, the school had a drive-through-only celebration. However, this year they are going all out with activities for all ages....

During the Nov. 17 Shaler School Board meeting, the board approved a collective bargaining agreement between the Shaler Area Education Association and the Shaler Area School District, beginning Aug. 15, 2022, and effective until Aug. 15, 2027. In December 2020, the current contract was extended through August 2022 due to...

During the Nov. 10 Shaler Area School Board meeting, superintendent Dr. Sean Aiken announced that a committee, newly formed to discuss the subject of graduation gowns and the current tradition of having boys wear blue and girls wear white, had come up with three possible options to move the district...

Parents were included in the ceremonies honoring their senior students and accompanied them during the ceremony held during the North Hills vs. Fox Chapel football game on Oct. 22. Senior Brenton Perkins, a member of the band and this year’s drum major, appreciated the effort put in by the district....

Shaler School District honored local veterans and observed covid restrictions at the same time by holding an Honor All Veterans Drive Through celebration on Nov. 3. The event, which was held virtually due to the pandemic last year, is usually held at the middle school with a breakfast for the...

North Hills School Board approved the Future Ready Comprehensive Plan, effective July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025, at the Oct. 28 legislative meeting. Pennsylvania school districts are required to present a Future Ready Comprehensive plan to the PA Department of Education every three years. Board president Allison Mathis was...

The Hampton Heroes program, in its 20th year, honored nine veterans on a gorgeous day on Hampton Middle School’s Fridley Field. The Nov. 9 event recognized local veterans and thanked them for their service. The middle school band, chorus and orchestra performed. The high school band put on a show...

Three of Ross Township’s incumbent commissioners were able to retain their seats and a new commissioner was chosen to represent her community for the next four years when the township held elections on Nov. 2. The four openings on the board of commissioners were in Wards 2, 4, 6 and...

Four spots on the Shaler school board were open for the public to fill during the Nov. 2 election and Shaler residents voters chose to re-elect two members and bring two new members on. Board members Tim Gapsky, who was cross-filed on the ballot and Democrat April Kwiatkowski were re-elected...

Two incumbents will retain their seats on the North Hills School Board, and they will be joined by two newcomers. Two of the open seats were due to board members Kathy Reid and Annette Nolish not seeking reelection. Current board members, Democrats Allison Mathis and Sandra Kozera retained their positions...

New faces will be a part of the Hampton council after the Nov. 2 election saw two separate contests being held – with six running for three open seats for four-year terms and two candidates running for one, two-year term. In the four-year term race, Democrat Bethany Hardin Blackburn was...

After some covid-related delays, the Etna Riverfront Trail and Park is open. Local and state representatives came together on Oct. 22 below the 62nd Street Bridge to celebrate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, food trucks and a concert by Kea Michaels. Rain held off until the evening, but didn’t dampen the...

Shaler Police, along with Remembering David founders Norma and David Hufnagel, held the Shaler event for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 23. The event was held at the Shaler North Hills Library and cars could be seen throughout the day stopping at the collection site with...

Local churches are joining in a worldwide effort to make Christmas a little brighter this year. Samaritan’s Purse will be accepting donations of gifts for children in need all over the world as part of its Operation Christmas Child effort. Curbside collections will take place during the week of Nov....

The Pine-Richland girls JV and varsity soccer team gathered Oct. 25 to present a $1,000 check to the Glimmer of Hope Foundation. All 34 players met before practice to hand the check over to Glimmer of Hope Founder and President Diana Napper and Associate Director Alexis Curran. Glimmer of Hope...

There were several items on the agenda for the Oct. 17 board of commissioners meeting in Ross, including transfers of an alcohol license and the renaming of Sangree Park to Bruno Sammartino Park, but temporary political signs specifically caught the attention of board president Dan DeMarco. During his president’s report,...

The race for Shaler Area School Board has contested races in Regions 1 and 2, according to the Allegheny County Office of Elections’ unofficial candidate list. In Region 1, incumbents April Kwiatkowski and Tim Gapsky and newcomers Bryan Whitaker and Sherry Kai are running for two open seats. In Region...