Recent retirees with a combined 173 years in the district were recognized by the West Jefferson Hills School District Board during a recent monthly meeting. The Board also approved the hiring of eight new teachers and staff for the 2024-25 school year.

Pictured are (L to R) Superintendent Dr. Janet Sardon; retirees Dena Davis, Jeff Nelson, and Kathy Hannon and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Matthew Patterson.

The Board also approved the final 2024-25 budget of $68,040,881, which included a 2% increase in millage rates for the upcoming year. The 2% increase will result in a $67.65 tax increase for the upcoming year for anyone living in a home at the median assessed value of a homestead property ($145,800) in the district ($46.40 for every $100,000 in home assessment).

Retirees With 173 Combined Years Honored

Eight WJHSD staff members with a combined 173 years in the district were recognized by the Board, including: Dena Davis (33 years, librarian; Pleasant Hills Middle School), Katherine Hannon (28 years, science; Thomas Jefferson HS), Susan Gaitaniella (28 years, Jefferson Hills Intermediate School) and Wendy Matta (22 years, science; TJ).

Also among the retirees are: Linda Gaito (26 years), the district’s Payroll Specialist, Cindy Coughenour (15 years), who served as Administrative Assistant, Facilities and Business Operations and Patrick Fiorill, a district librarian for 18 years.

New Teachers/Staff Hired for 2024-25

Eight new teachers and staff were approved by the Board to be hired for the 2024-25 school year:

• Katherine Bonatesta, Grade 7 ELA, Pleasant Hills Middle School;
• Alexandra Downer, Life Skills, Gill Hall Elementary School;
• Shannon Feagins, Grade 7 Math, Pleasant Hills Middle School;
• Ashley Flynn, Math, Thomas Jefferson High School;
• Kylie Hartbauer, Grade 1, Gill Hall Elementary;
• Molly Resnik, Life Skills, Jefferson Hills Intermediate School;
• Michael Shoats, Science, Thomas Jefferson High School;
• Patrick Harrigan, Administrative Services/Communications Coordinator

The Board also recognized Elise Dopudja, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, and Jeff Nelson, the District’s Public Relations Coordinator. They recently received an Award of Merit from PenSPRA in the Publications category as part of the statewide 2023 PenSPRA Communications Contest. Nelson also received an additional PenSPRA Award of Merit for 2023.