West Jefferson school board keeps status quo on president, vice president roles

The West Jefferson Hills School Board retained its president and vice president, each beginning their fifth consecutive year in the respective roles.

Brian Fernandes will continue on as president of the nine-member board. Suzanne Downer will serve as first vice president. Each member was first elected in December 2015.

Fernandes was grateful for the election. He said the board represents a diverse background of expertise and that he is proud to play a part in the collaborative decision making.

“I want to continue to help drive this district in becoming the number one district in the state of Pennsylvania,” he said. “We want well-rounded students when they come out able to compete in anything they do.”

He said the district was in a good spot before covid-19 hit, so in the near future, he’d like to be where they were just before the pandemic set them back.

Kristin Shoemaker will serve as second vice president.

As part of its reorganizational meeting held Dec. 1, the board set the dates for meetings through June 2021.

Agenda-setting meetings will be held the third Tuesday of each month, followed by a voting meeting on the fourth Tuesday. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the Thomas Jefferson High School theater.

The specific dates for the meetings are below.

• January 19, Board Work Session

• January 26, Regular Board Meeting, Retiree Recognition; Board Recognition

• February 16, Board Work Session

• February 23, Regular Board Meeting

• March 16, Board Work Session

• March 23, Regular Board Meeting

• April 20, Board Work Session

• April 27, Regular Board Meeting

• May 19, Board Work Session

• May 25, Regular Board Meeting

• June 15, Board Work Session

• June 24, Regular Board Meeting, Retiree Recognition