New Kensington-Arnold School Board discusses approaching Burrell about merging

Challenges faced by the Burrell School District have New Kensington-Arnold’s school directors wondering if the right time has come for the neighboring districts to again consider merging.

New Kensington-Arnold School Board member Bob Pallone raised the subject of approaching Burrell officials with the proposal at his board’s meeting Tuesday night.

He cited that Burrell now has the highest property tax rate in Westmoreland County — after its board approved a 5.8% increase for the coming school year — and is considering closing Stewart Elementary School.

Pallone’s comment started a brief discussion, with fellow school Director Terry Schrock saying they could approach Burrell.

Schrock said his understanding was that, when the issue was raised in the past, New Kensington-Arnold was carrying too much debt for Burrell’s taste. As of June 30, the district’s debt is $29.4 million, Business Manager Jeff McVey said.

Schrock also cited cultural differences between the districts.

“It’s always worth an ask,” Schrock said. “Now might be the time to do it.”

New Kensington-Arnold board member Rob Fusia was perhaps more optimistic.

“They may approach us,” he said.

In 2014, the Burrell School Board declined to meet with their New Kensington-Arnold counterparts to discuss a merger. Several Burrell board members said then that the time was not right for such disussions.

Contacted Wednesday, Burrell School Board President Pam Key said the district’s board was unaware of New Kensington-Arnold’s discussion.

“We know nothing about it,” she said. “They haven’t approached us.”

Key, in her ninth year on the board, said the subject of a merger has not come up since she has been on the Burrell School Board.

Burrell Superintendent Shannon Wagner did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

TribLive reached out to the other Burrell board members for comment by email.

Board member LeeAnn Guido said a merger would be “an enormous change to propose and consider, and not a proposal that is originating from our board room.”

”I was very taken aback to hear this had come up in conversation at the (New Kensington-Arnold) board meeting. This topic has never come up in conversation among our board in the time that I have served on the (Burrell School Board),” Guido said in an email.

Guido said she is unable to say whether a merger is something she would consider.

“What I can commit to is that I am willing to participate in any conversation that the Burrell administration and my fellow board directors want to have,” she said. “However, I will always vote to do what I believe is best for the students and taxpayers of the Burrell School District.”

No other Burrell board members responded.

New Kensington-Arnold board President Tim Beckes noted the progress his district has been making since Superintendent Chris Sefcheck took over in 2021. The board expressed its confidence in Sefcheck on Tuesday in approving a new contract, extending his employment from 2026 to 2029.

Beckes said New Kensington-Arnold has been attracting people and adding programs while other districts have been cutting staff and closing schools.

New Kensington-Arnold can try to open a dialogue with Burrell, even, if Pallone warned, it could fall on deaf ears.

“The Tri-City is stronger together than apart,” Beckes said.

Sefcheck said he could contact the state Department of Education to find out what a merger process would look like.