The Riverside Beaver County School District Board of School Directors met on July 20, 2026, for a Committee of the Whole and Voting Meeting. The agenda focused on routine district governance along with several operational decisions affecting the 2026-2027 school year, including financial approvals, staffing, student services, athletics, facilities, curriculum, and policy reviews.
The meeting included significant financial approvals, including more than $2.5 million in general fund payments covering June and July 2026 obligations, cafeteria fund payments, a proposed athletic equipment purchase, facility repairs, and insurance renewal. These actions represent the district’s ongoing management of regular operations and preparation for the upcoming school year.
Personnel and student support services were major areas of discussion. The board considered appointments for coaches and volunteers, accepted several resignations, approved a new payroll secretary position, reviewed employee leave, and considered agreements with outside organizations providing specialized educational services for students.
The board also addressed preparations for the 2026-2027 school year through handbook approvals, curriculum adoption, special education service agreements, policy reviews, and the continuation of leadership under Superintendent Bret Trotta through a new five-year term beginning July 1, 2026.
Major Discussion and Action Items
District Financial Reports and Payment Approvals
The board reviewed financial reports and considered approval of district expenditures for June and July 2026. The general fund payment items included $1,570,018.60 in June 2026 wire transfers and electronic payments, $173,950.39 in June 2026 invoices paid by check, and $792,637.07 in July 2026 invoices paid by check.
The board also reviewed cafeteria fund activity, including $44,436.15 in June 2026 cafeteria invoices paid by check, along with the cafeteria treasurer’s report and activity fund report.
These approvals provide oversight of district spending and allow the district to continue paying approved operational expenses, including services, supplies, and other obligations.
Purchase of Band Trailer
The board considered approval of a quote from Best Choice Trailers, Inc. for a 2020 Rock Solid 8.5x18 trailer at a cost of $7,400.
The Band Boosters committed to contributing $2,000 toward the purchase, reducing the district’s direct financial responsibility. The trailer purchase is intended to support district band activities and related transportation or storage needs.
Track Surface Repair Project
The Buildings and Grounds/Future Planning section included a recommendation to approve a proposal from Measure Line Services for repairs to the javelin runway surface and running track cracks.
The project cost listed in the agenda is $8,815. The repair is intended to maintain athletic facilities and address surface conditions affecting safe use of the track area.
2026-2027 Athletic Staffing and Volunteer Coaches
The board reviewed recommendations for athletic coaching assignments for the 2026-2027 school year. The recommended positions included head coaches, assistant coaches, and junior high coaching roles for football, volleyball, soccer, tennis, cross country, golf, cheerleading, and basketball.
The board also reviewed a large group of volunteer coach recommendations. The agenda noted that clearances had been received unless otherwise indicated, with some appointments pending completion of required clearances.
These appointments support district extracurricular programming and allow athletic teams to prepare for the upcoming school year.
Personnel Changes and Employment Matters
The board considered several personnel actions. Resignations were recommended for Wendy Vandevort, Grade 4 teacher, effective July 1, 2026; Bailey VanEvera, High School Secretary, effective July 10, 2026; and Billie Jo Ehrenberger, Paraprofessional, effective August 18, 2026.
The board also considered employment of Bailey VanEvera as payroll secretary effective July 13, 2026, with required clearances received.
Additional personnel matters included approval of approximately six weeks of paid FMLA leave beginning August 5, 2026, for an employee identified by number in the agenda.
Student Services and Special Education Agreements
The board considered agreements with outside organizations supporting student services.
The proposed agreements included services from Glade Run Lutheran Services as determined by Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams, orientation and mobility services from Western PA School for Blind Children for the period August 30, 2026, through August 29, 2027, and renewal of services from Associated Occupational Therapy Services for special education students during the 2026-2027 school year.
The board also considered a fee-for-service agreement with Shenango Area School District for Riverside to provide educational services for a special needs student during the 2026-2027 school year.
These agreements support specialized educational services required for individual student needs.
Superintendent Employment Agreement
The board considered Resolution 2627001 regarding Superintendent Bret Trotta.
The resolution would accept the voluntary relinquishment of Mr. Trotta’s current commission and immediately reappoint him as Superintendent for a five-year term beginning July 1, 2026. The resolution also authorizes the related employment agreement as presented.
This action addresses district leadership continuity and establishes the superintendent’s employment arrangement for the upcoming five-year period.
Curriculum, Handbooks, and School-Year Preparation
The board reviewed several items connected to the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
Recommended approvals included elementary and high school/middle school student handbooks, the PAW Program Handbook, and the High School Club Handbook.
The board also considered adoption of a curriculum resource for the AP Business with Personal Finance course: Business with Personal Finance by David A. Anderson, Heidi M. Neck, Christopher P. Neck, and Emma L. Murray, published by BFW Publishers in 2026.
Policy Review and Updates
The board reviewed a large group of district policies covering areas including instructional materials, special education, student services, athletics, safety, student records, discipline, transportation, and student activities.
Most listed policies were identified as review-only items. Policy 108, Adoption of Textbooks, was identified as receiving a minor language update.
The policy review process allows the district to maintain current governance documents and ensure alignment with operational needs.
Financial Matters
The most significant financial items in the packet involved approval of district bills and operational expenses.
General fund payments included:
- June 2026 wire transfers/electronic payments: $1,570,018.60
- June 2026 invoices paid by check: $173,950.39
- July 2026 invoices paid by check: $792,637.07
Additional financial items included:
- June 2026 cafeteria fund invoices: $44,436.15
- Band trailer purchase recommendation: $7,400, with $2,000 contributed by Band Boosters
- Track surface repair proposal: $8,815
- Flood insurance renewal with Selective Insurance Group: $2,943 for the 2026-2027 school year
These expenditures support district operations, student activities, facilities, insurance coverage, and educational services.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The board reviewed numerous policies as part of its ongoing governance responsibilities. Topics included instructional materials, special education, student safety, discipline, records, transportation, extracurricular activities, and student services.
The board also considered Resolution 2627001 related to Superintendent Bret Trotta’s reappointment for a five-year term beginning July 1, 2026.
The agenda also included approval of a Statement of Revival for the Beaver County Area Vocational-Technical School Authority for a term not to exceed 50 years.
The agenda included a superintendent report and routine financial reports, including treasurer reports and activity fund information.
An informational personnel item noted that Justin Bennett would move from the position of Middle School English Language Arts Teacher to High School Guidance Counselor.
The meeting materials did not include additional details from presentations or reports beyond the listed agenda items.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
Personnel actions included:
- Appointment recommendations for 2026-2027 athletic coaches
- Volunteer coach approvals
- Teacher, secretary, and paraprofessional resignations
- Payroll secretary employment approval
- Superintendent reappointment
- Employee leave approval
The board also reviewed a staff transition involving Justin Bennett’s move to High School Guidance Counselor.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
The major facility-related item was the proposed track surface repair project by Measure Line Services for $8,815.
The board also considered purchase of a trailer supporting band activities. These items represent ongoing maintenance and operational investments in district programs.
The agenda included an opportunity for visitors to address the board. Visitors may speak once per meeting, either at the beginning or end of the meeting, for no longer than four minutes.
No additional public hearings or special public input sessions were identified in the packet.
Residents and taxpayers may be most affected by decisions involving district spending, facility maintenance, insurance costs, and long-term leadership arrangements.
Students and families may see impacts through updated handbooks, new curriculum resources, athletic staffing, extracurricular support, and continued access to specialized educational services.
Employees may be affected by staffing changes, resignations, appointments, leave decisions, and organizational transitions.
Students requiring specialized services may benefit from continued agreements with outside providers supporting IEP-based services, occupational therapy, and mobility support.
- What are the expected benefits and lifespan of the planned track surface repairs?
- How will the district measure the effectiveness of the new AP Business with Personal Finance curriculum resource?
- What services will be provided through the agreements with outside special education providers?
- How will the superintendent’s five-year employment agreement support district goals?
- What factors were considered when selecting the trailer purchase option?
- Are any additional facility improvements planned after the track repairs?
- How will staffing changes affect student services during the 2026-2027 school year?
- What policy updates may require additional review or future board action?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- June 15, 2026: Previous Committee of the Whole and Voting Meeting minutes considered for approval.
- July 1, 2026: Superintendent Bret Trotta’s new five-year term begins under the proposed resolution.
- July 10, 2026: Effective date of Bailey VanEvera’s High School Secretary resignation.
- July 13, 2026: Effective date of payroll secretary employment for Bailey VanEvera.
- August 5, 2026: Beginning date for approximately six weeks of approved paid FMLA leave.
- August 18, 2026: Effective date of Billie Jo Ehrenberger’s paraprofessional resignation.
- August 30, 2026 – August 29, 2027: Period covered by Western PA School for Blind Children orientation and mobility services agreement.
- 2026-2027 School Year: Implementation period for approved handbooks, curriculum resource, athletic staffing, and service agreements.
Key Takeaways
- Riverside Beaver County School District reviewed major operational decisions for the 2026-2027 school year.
- The board considered approval of more than $2.5 million in general fund payments.
- A $7,400 band trailer purchase was proposed with $2,000 from Band Boosters.
- Track surface repairs totaling $8,815 were recommended.
- The board reviewed coaching and volunteer appointments for the 2026-2027 athletic year.
- Superintendent Bret Trotta was recommended for a new five-year term beginning July 1, 2026.
- The district continued agreements supporting special education and student services.
- New handbooks and curriculum resources were considered for the upcoming school year.
- Numerous district policies underwent review, with one textbook adoption policy receiving a minor language update.
- Flood insurance renewal was recommended at a cost of $2,943 for 2026-2027.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Riverside Beaver County School District Board of School Directors
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: Ellwood City, pennsylvania
- County: Beaver County
- Provider: wordpress-documents
Keywords
Riverside Beaver County School District, Board of School Directors, Ellwood City, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, school board meeting, July 2026 meeting, superintendent, Bret Trotta, district finances, general fund payments, cafeteria fund, athletics, coaching appointments, track repair, band trailer, special education, IEP services, curriculum adoption, student handbooks, policy review, flood insurance, personnel changes, student services, vocational technical authority, school operations
