Pine-Richland School Board names new leadership following election of 4 new members

The Pine-Richland School Board has new leadership following the election of four new members in November.

At the board’s reorganization meeting Wednesday, Ashley Fortier was elected president, replacing Philip Morrissette, who remains on the board. Newly elected member Melissa Vecchi was elected vice president, replacing Lisa Hillman, who is no longer on the board.

Vecchi was one of four Democratic candidates who were elected to the board after running together under the campaign, “Together for PR.” She and Amy Cafardi represent Region 2; Liz DeLosa represents Region 1; while Randy Augustine represents Region 3.

The new members were sworn in by board member Marc Casciani and will serve through 2029.

In addition to Hillman, Christina Brussalis, Joseph Cassidy and Amy Terchick have left the nine-member board.

Board member Michael Wiethorn arrived to the meeting late and did not participate in the votes for president or vice president.

Vecchi nominated Fortier for president, while Leslie Miller nominated Casciani. Fortier was elected on a vote of 5-3, supported by Cafardi, Augustine, Vecchi and DeLosa. Casciani was supported by Miller and Morrissette.

Fortier acknowledged Morrissette’s service as president, and thanked all continuing and new board members for their service to the district.

“I look forward to the newly formed board, district staff and community stakeholders coming together to preserve Pine-Richland’s excellence and uphold our commitment to learning for every student, every day,” Fortier said.

DeLosa nominated Vecchi for vice president, while Miller again nominated Casciani. Vecchi was elected on a vote of 7-1, with only Miller voting for Casciani.

In nominating Vecchi, DeLosa said she has come to deeply respect Vecchi over the past year during which she has gotten to know her as a friend and colleague.

“Melissa is smart, she’s open and she’s honest. She never assumes her perspective is the only one in the room, and she never approaches a topic thinking that her opinion is the only one that matters,” DeLosa said. “The qualities Melissa has demonstrated throughout our campaign and throughout the 12 months that I’ve gotten to know her have convinced me that she would be an exceptional vice president for this board.

“She would help to foster a culture in which all voices are heard and respected.”

Among other appointments, only one, that of legislative representative to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, saw a contested vote. DeLosa replaces Miller on a 5-4 vote, with DeLosa supported by Vecchi, Augustine, Fortier, and Cafardi. Miller was supported by Casciani, Morrissette and Wiethorn.

Vecchi will join Miller representing Pine-Richland on the A.W. Beattie Career Center’s joint operating committee. Vecchi replaces Cassidy, whose term ended this year; Miller’s term ends at the end of November 2026.

Vecchi, vice president of JV Manufacturing, nominated herself for the career center committee.

“It’s something I’m passionate about, working with the student programs and I’m very familiar being in manufacturing,” she said. “I actually already have a relationship with A.W. Beattie.”

DeLosa was appointed as the board’s representative to the Pine Township Parks and Recreation Board for 2026, replacing Terchick. Augustine was appointed as the board’s representative to the district’s Food Service Advisory and Wellness Committee, replacing Fortier, who was the representative for the past two years.

Chris Juzwick, director of financial and operational services, was appointed as the district’s voting representative to the Allegheny North Tax Collection Committee. Casciani, board treasurer, was appointed as alternate voting representative.

The newly formed board will have its first meetings on Monday, Dec. 8, with a finance meeting beginning at 6 p.m. followed by a combined meeting starting at 7 p.m. in the board room at Pine-Richland High School.