A Ligonier Valley graduate pleaded guilty Monday to harassing a student inside the high school, but district officials are refusing to say how the graduate bypassed security to enter the building — or to commit to changing safety measures.
Xavior P. Reynolds, 18, of St. Clair Township entered Ligonier Valley High School in Ligonier Township on Sept. 25 and shoved a student, according to court documents. The 2025 graduate received a citation from Ligonier Valley Police Department for harassment on Oct. 6.
District solicitor Gary Matta said the district is aware of how Reynolds gained access to the high school but declined to share details with TribLive to avoid compromising district security. The district is not planning to change its security or safety measures, he said.
The mother of the student Reynolds admitted to harassing told TribLive that her child was not injured in the altercation.
“It was more of the fact that he’s supposed to be safe at school,” she said. “An adult came in, even though he is a former student, and assaulted him.
“I’m hoping that it was a wake-up call and that it won’t happen again.”
District Superintendent Matthew Mols, school board President Christy Boyd and Vice President Michael Knupp deferred comment to Matta. Board members Cynthia Brown, Irma Hutchinson, Jennifer Kromel and Gary Steffey did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
Reynolds declined to comment when reached through a social media message. He paid nearly $225 in fines, costs and fees for the citation, according to court records.
Ligonier Valley has a school security or school resource officer at each of its four buildings, according to the district website.
The board agreed June 30 to pay $18,000 to the Fatula Group for district security consultation services. The Cambria County-based company provides training and consultation to businesses, schools, places of worship and sports teams on threat management, according to its website.
Board members John Fitchwell, Robert Fryman and Sarah Rovedatti were elected to the board in November. Their first regular board meeting will take place Jan. 12.
