The Sto-Rox School Board of Directors made several key decisions in April, including the appointment of a new school director. Read on for more information on both meetings that took place last month.
Thursday, April 24 Meeting
Hunter-Rue speaking to the board during the April 17 board meeting.
New School Director
Daniesha Hunter-Rue was appointed to the Sto-Rox School Board of Directors during the Thursday, April 24 meeting. Hunter-Rue moved to the district with her family in 2022 while she finished graduate school. A native of Hershey, Hunter-Rue is pursuing a PhD in Developmental Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh and is on course to earn her degree. Before that, Hunter-Rue was a licensed professional counselor and earned a degree in business administration.
“I’m interested in understanding how I can get more plugged into the community,” said Hunter-Rue during her public interview during the board meeting on Thursday, April 17. “It’s a very interesting place and sometimes it takes time to get involved. But given that I’m finishing my dissertation in December, I’ve decided I’m going to take on some new opportunities, have a little more space in my life for service.”
Service is a key part of Hunter-Rue’s life. She serves on the board of the Black Girls Equity Alliance, and volunteers locally. Hunter-Rue has also attended meetings of the McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation as she starts to branch out into the community.
“I come from a research background, so I’d be interested in whatever ways I can obtain data to help us make decisions, have a better understanding of what the finances are,” she said. “I think my main focus is logistically, how do we make our school spaces (better).”
Hunter-Rue also referenced her background in developmental psychology and hopes to support students through academic support, mental health, and the use of data. She also noted community groups working to deal with violence in the community, and their impact on Sto-Rox schools. Hunter-Rue will serve the remainder of the open term in Region 2 (Stowe Township) that ends this fall. Two open seats remain on the school board, and the district encourages interested candidates to review the openings and apply.
RELATED: Sto-Rox School Board
New Hires
Devin Eberlein: General Cafe Worker, Jr./Sr. High School
Kristy Magnalli: Paraprofessional, Upper Elementary
Torry Johnson, Paraprofessional, Upper Elementary
Student Representative Report
Jaya Elerby, the student representative on the school board, delivered a report on the students’ point of view for April. Topics included preparations for the PSSAs, including a PBIS incentive at the Jr./Sr. High School. She also took stock of spring sports, including the popularity of Middle School Track & Field, and the success of the entire Track & Field, Girls Flag Football, Baseball, and Softball teams.
2025-26 Calendar Update
The school board of directors approved a revised calendar from administrators. Adjustments were made toward the end of the school year. While seniors will still graduate on Friday, May 29, 2026, students in grades K-11 will remain in school through Tuesday, June 2 to meet the required classroom time. A clerical day for staff will follow on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
LINK: District Calendar
DonorsChoose
The board approved the following DonorsChoose projects made possible by generous donors:
Elena Hall: Classroom Project- “”Emotional Regulation Tools”.
Clare Teti: Classroom Project- “Empowering Minds with Evidence-Based Interventions”
Ashley Dickinson: Classroom Project- Classroom Supplies for Health, Organization and Creativity!”
PRIDE Donations
The board accepted $1,200 in donations to the Viking PRIDE Program from four people, including teachers Lauren Ferragonio (also a multi-sport athletics coach), Joe Krajcovic, Parent-Teacher Liaison Ed Pierce, and BraBender Cox. The PRIDE Program was launched in February, pitting teams of students with teacher “coaches” against each other in competition for $10,000 in staff and community donations. Teams earn points by achieving certain standards as part of the program. The inaugural edition of PRIDE will wrap up in May when points are tallied and students are awarded their hard-earned money - money that will help them secure their educational and financial futures.
LINK: Sto-Rox Launches PRIDE Program for 9th-12th Grade Students
Thursday, April 17 Meeting
Harvey, third from right, stands with family members and board members for a photo during the April 17 board meeting.
Beth Harvey Retirement
After 31 years, Jr./Sr. High School Secretary Beth Harvey will retire. A mainstay of the central office,
“I’m a little emotional about it,” said Harvey. “I’ve worked with a lot of great staff, a lot of great students over the years. I’ve watched them grow from Kindergarten to graduate. I love it, I’m going to miss it, and I certainly wish Sto-Rox and the community the best.”
Harvey’s family was on hand for a presentation of gifts including flowers, food, and a certificate. Once the school year ends, she’ll be spending more time with family, including her young grandchildren.
Dr. Weischedel (left) speaks during the April 17 board meeting.
Dr. Weischedel’s First Weeks
“I’ve spent a lot of time in the buildings, and they’re awesome,” said Dr. Erwin Weischedel, Interim Superintendent, about the students he’s met so far. “They’re very respectful, they’re very polite.” He also praised the staff and community, saying” everybody has been wonderful, and I’ve been pretty busy.” Dr. Weischedel rattled off an extensive list; he spent his first three weeks meeting with principals, union leaders, walking through district buildings with Special Assistant to the Superintendent Michael Hauser, attending the National Honor Society induction ceremony, and attending meetings regarding Kindergarten, staffing, and other issues.
Budget Review and Financial Recovery Update
Chad Agnew of JMA broke down the district’s budget situation, with a projected surplus of $600,000 from expenses of $39.1 million. Agnew did stress that budget work is ongoing, and he will continue to keep a close eye on the district’s finances, both short and long term. The district is on track to lay out an official budget proposed in May, with a board vote expected in June. Following Agnew’s presentation, Chief Recovery Officer Dr. Nancy Raible reiterated both the financial and academic goals for exiting recovery, including: three years of a successive positive fund balance (which the district is on track for), two years of which have to be annually positive. Ultimately, said Dr. Raible, “be lean as you can be, but without compromising student outcomes. The student experience should be quality, and comparable to what you can get somewhere else.” Hitting that recovery goal will enable the district to bring students back into the district, reducing the amount of money the district pays to charter and cyber charter schools and bolstering the district’s finances.
Looking Ahead
The next three meetings of the school board will be combined agenda review and legislative voting meetings, and one of them will take place in the community (all starting at 7 p.m.):
Thursday, May 22 at the Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria
Thursday, June 26 at Meyers Ridge Community Center, 901 Gray Street, McKees Rocks, PA 15136
Thursday, July 24 at the Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria