A pair of Quaker Valley School Board members were recently recognized by state officials for their years of service to the district.

Gianni Floro was presented with a plaque by Pennsylvania School Boards Association senior training and outreach manager Lena Hannah for his 25 years on the board.

She also lauded board president Jonathan Kuzma for his 12 years on the board.

Both commendations took place at a meeting on Oct. 28.

Board members are placed on the PSBA’s Honor Roll starting at five years via certificate, and then again for 10 and 15 years. Those with at least 20 years receive a plaque.

Those who reach 50 years of service are given crystal commemorations.

The association tracks those statistics and confirms service years with a district in the summer months before sending out the recognitions.

There are 500 school districts in the state; Hannah handles the 170 in the western region. The honor roll program began 40 years ago.

Hannah, a former South Fayette School Board member, said honoring school directors is her favorite part of the job.

“We know the importance of recognizing our volunteers as school directors for the work that they do for their districts,” she said. “It can be challenging, but it’s also extremely rewarding as far as being a school director. We like to thank them for their years of service and their dedication to their school districts and their communities. Recognizing them is really important to us.”

Floro, 53, of Bell Acres, was first appointed to the board in 2001 to fill the unexpired term of the late Rev. Melvin Meade.

He was reelected several times, including in November 2023 and said he plans to make this his last term on the board.

Floro chairs the facilities and operations committee, and is a member of the finance committee and the policy and government affairs committee.

He thanked the PSBA for the honor and said the things he is most proud of during his time on the board include the district’s peer jury program, implementation of a police force and the proposed high school in Leet.

Peer jury was introduced by Aaron Vanatta, the district’s former chief of police, in the 2016-17 school year.

Students accused of crimes such as misdemeanors, summary offenses and even minor felonies go before a jury of fellow students instead of a judge.

The program allows students the opportunity to learn from their mistakes without being entered into the justice system.

Floro, a 1990 Quaker Valley grad, said student safety is the district’s highest priority.

“When my term expires, I don’t plan on running again because I think at that point the stage will be set for the new high school to be built,” Floro said. “I’ve given enough time to the district, and I hope I’ve done more good than harm during that time. It’s been a great experience, and I would do it again if I had the opportunity to do it all over again to serve my community.”

Floro, a huge supporter of district athletics and cocurricular activities, serves as a civil litigator when not handling school district business.

“I hope all my time was useful to the community and the students that we serve and all the families,” Floro said.

His term expires at the end of 2027.

Kuzma, 43, of Leetsdale has been on the board since December 2013.

He served as vice president in 2020 and as president since 2021.

Kuzma, a 2001 Quaker Valley grad, is also chairman of the Leetsdale Municipal Authority board.

He works as the vice president of Newmark when not handling district business.

“It’s been a great honor for me to serve as part of this school board during the past 12 years,” Kuzma said via email. “Each member of the board brings unique talents and dedication to quality public education that has been inspirational for me over the years as I’ve worked alongside them.

“I’ve learned so much from my fellow board members, and we’ve worked as a great team on behalf of the students and community. ”

Ellen Stevenson will be taking Kuzma’s seat.

She and incumbent Daniela Sauro Helkowski ran unopposed in the November election for two four-year seats in Region 1, according to Allegheny County Election Division records.

“I know the school board is going to continue to have nine dedicated volunteers to lead the district,” Kuzma said of his pending departure. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the school board and for the trust the community placed in me during this time. I’m also looking forward to seeing how the board continues to guide the district toward growth and success in the years ahead.”

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