Greater Latrobe School Board hires new solicitor after Sunshine Act argument, chooses Rossi as president

Greater Latrobe School Board has a new president and a new solicitor following this month’s reorganization meeting.

Yelayna Rossi, one of two new board members, was elected president of the panel, succeeding Andrew Repko.

Gary Matta, of the legal firm Dodaro, Dalfonso, Matta and Cambest, was selected to take over duties from longtime solicitor Ned Nakles. That decision came after an extended argument among board members over the firm’s billing and if the public was given proper notice of the agenda item in accordance with the state Sunshine Act.

Matta, who was in attendance, spoke on behalf of his firm’s services and said suggestions that the vote to hire him didn’t follow proper procedures were “completely inaccurate.”

Repko was elected to a new four-year term in November. He declined a nomination to continue as president, citing work demands.

Rossi’s nomination was supported by her successful Nov. 4 running mates — fellow newcomer Patrick Carney and returning incumbent Merle D. Musick — along with Musick’s father, Merle L., John Petrarca and John Urban.

Repko and Tom Gockel backed Bradley Toman’s bid for the president’s role.

Rossi declined an opportunity to speak to the board in support of her nomination to lead the panel.

While running for a board seat, Rossi said she was “committed to thoughtful, data-driven decision-making that balances fiscal prudence with the district’s educational goals.”

A recent college graduate, she cited experience working in human resources, with skills in problem-solving, communication and organizational management.

Toman said his experience as an adjunct professor and with asset management and team leadership made him a good candidate for president, along with a commitment to the community and to strong local governance.

“I know the importance of this school district to our community, as well as the community for the school district,” he said.

Merle D. Musick, who previously served as school board president and is also a recent college graduate, was elected vice president of the board by a similar 6-3 vote.

Urban, Petrarca and Carney were appointed to respective one-year, two-year and three-year terms representing the district on the Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center Joint Operating Committee.

Matta and his firm were approved as the district’s new solicitor by a 7-2 vote, with Toman and Repko opposed. An alternative resolution to seek proposals from solicitor candidates was then removed from the agenda.

Petrarca, who moved to hire Matta, said the attorney’s $500 monthly retainer and $145 hourly fee are unchanged from those Nakles had charged.

Toman argued that it wasn’t proper for the board to vote on a new solicitor at the reorganization meeting because the name of the proposed attorney and associated fee rate weren’t included in the item that appeared on the agenda that was posted online in advance of the meeting.

“We violated the 24-hour notice policy for entering into a contractual obligation with an outside firm,” Toman contended.

Petrarca said it was enough to include the item on the posted agenda, with the details of the proposed firm to be added at the board meeting.

Matta agreed.

“What the reason for that law was is to make the public aware there was an action item tonight to hire a solicitor,” Matta said. “It didn’t have to say who or the amount. That had to be presented at the time you were going to make the motion.”

Toman speculated that some board members may have met in advance, outside of a public meeting, to decide on Matta as a preferred solicitor candidate.

Petrarca said he previously was acquainted with Matta. Matta’s firm was included on a list of potential solicitors provided to board members by Greater Latrobe administrators after it was learned that Nakles intended to resign.

Matta said people he’d met with in advance concerning the potential Greater Latrobe solicitor opening were “never a quorum of your board. Two of the board members were just sworn in this evening.”

Matta said his firm focuses on government law and provides solicitor services to many neighboring districts. Those include Ligonier Valley and Derry Area.

He said he is able to serve as bond counsel to assist with financing of school district capital projects.

“We put two attorneys on every account we have,” he said. “We take care of everything.”