Superintendent Keith Konyk opened Wednesday night’s Elizabeth Forward School Board meeting with a message about civility, respect, and the importance of constructive public discourse amid ongoing debates surrounding district finances, construction projects, and teacher negotiations.

“Over the past several months, our community has engaged in passionate discussions about faculty, construction projects, the future of our schools, and the direction of our district,” Konyk said, noting that these are important discussions that need to happen and that disagreements can be beneficial when conducted respectfully.

“There’s a difference between disagreeing and division, there’s a difference between asking tough questions and attacking people personally, there’s a difference between expressing concerns and spreading misinformation,” he said, adding that, “lately too often we may have crossed that line.”

Konyk emphasized that students are watching how adults interact with one another.

“While many of us see these discussions and debates between adults, there is another audience watching, and I’ve been informed by parents about this audience that’s watching. It’s our children,” he said. “The question we should ask ourselves tonight is this: If our students behaved toward one another the way some adults have behaved toward one another, would we be proud of that? Would we accept that in our classrooms, on our athletic fields, or in our own homes? I believe we would all expect better.”

He clarified that criticism remains important in a healthy community.

“Accountability is healthy, transparency is necessary, and public debate is absolutely essential,” Konyk said. “Let us remember that the person sitting across us is not the enemy, they are our neighbor who lives in the Elizabeth Forward school community.”

Just before public comment began, Board President Jamie Evans echoed the superintendent’s remarks.

“I ask for respect for every board member here regardless of if you agree or disagree with where they’re at in their beliefs on this board. We can disagree, but we can also be professional about it,” Evans said.

Public Comment

Residents Voice Concerns Over Taxes and Budget

Several residents used public comment to discuss the district’s finances, proposed tax increases, and the impact on taxpayers.

Resident Tracy Kiss asked whether the district would ensure teachers receive fair compensation during ongoing contract negotiations.

“Are there things in place to make sure that during the negotiations with our teachers that there are things that leave ways for teachers to get their salaries and everything that they truly deserve for all of the hard work that they put in to our community and our school?” Kiss asked.

Resident Cindy Dukic urged the board to reject or delay any tax increases.

“Please vote no and send this budget back to the highly paid administration to be corrected to live within their means, not their wants.” Dukic said.

Resident Eric Piper addressed what he described as misinformation circulating throughout the community regarding district finances and future taxes.

“It is impacting peoples lives. People are getting scared. People are selling their houses,” Piper said.

“Over the last month, we have 35 homes listed for sell and 23 contingent, that’s 58. That’s higher than we’ve seen in years, and it’s because people are putting information out there and scaring people that their taxes are going to continue to raise indefinitely for years to come.”

Piper referenced a 2011 Auditor General report and compared past and current district spending.

“Let’s take a walk back to 2011 where the auditor general reported that EF school district failed to control expenditures in accordance with general fund budgets,” he said. “That’s because our school board at that time overspent by $7 million in years 2008, 2009, and 2010, and we were taking out tax anticipation notes every year through the mid-2010s.”

He argued that much of the district’s spending growth has come from state-mandated expenses.

“In 2011 we were at $36 million. Right now we’re at $52 million,” Piper said. “It’s not fiscal mismanagement, it’s not local decisions that this board is making. There are the PSERS, the pension, what you are required to contribute.”

“In 2011 the district was required to contribute 5.6% to the pensions,” he continued. “I am not blaming this on the teachers, this is the state.”

“Now they have to contribute 35%. That’s just a fact, that’s a $7 million difference. Healthcare, $3 million difference. Transportation, $1 million difference. The difference what they have to spend in special education is over $4 million.”

“Just those by itself is state mandated stuff, it’s not the board’s fault they have to pay that, and it’s not the teacher’s fault either. That is $14 million that’s been added to the budget and it’s decisions that are not made locally.”

Piper concluded by encouraging the board to continue addressing concerns surrounding construction costs in order to ease public concerns about taxes and spending.

Construction Project Remains Focus of Discussion

Several residents also questioned the district’s construction planning, spending, and long-term facilities strategy.

Resident Missy Haney asked how the district arrived at its current financial position and questioned decisions surrounding facilities planning.

“How did a 2018 study, that identified expensive long overdue upgrades, not lead to a long range facilities plan? Why was there no public discussion prior to February 2023 about rightsizing our buildings to address declining enrollment and deteriorating facilities?” Haney asked.

“Yet after the fire, emergency repairs quickly expanded into this massive multi-base project.”

Haney also questioned whether existing building concerns had been addressed before expanding plans for new facilities.

“Please ask yourselves, does Central Elementary have air yet? Has the new, currently not functioning, auditorium finally received a proper orchestra pit or are we still paying for temporary fixes caused by lack of space?”

She encouraged the board to ensure it could continue meeting obligations to district employees.

Resident John Straub questioned the budgeting process surrounding the high school renovation project and whether the Sunshine Act may have been violated.

“One of two things either happened. We should be holding our architect accountable for lowballing us just to get a contract and not bringing the project in at the price he said he could bring it in at or we had back door meetings and the project changed drastically,” Straub said.

“I’ve been questioning why the sunshine act doesn’t apply to us here.”

Konyk responded directly to Straub’s comments.

“Could you provide me with evidence of those back door meetings?” Konyk asked, stating that he would look into the matter if evidence was provided.

He also noted that the district had previously addressed differences between early project estimates and final costs.

“We did address the differences in the final amount of the project versus the initial part of the project,” Konyk said. “The final option was to do all of those projects together,” explaining that’s where that number is coming from.

Resident Don Thornton requested access to school drawings, questioned the role of the clerk of works in the construction project, and asked how residents could obtain answers to questions regarding the project.

“For safety of the school and how it’s laid out we can not release those drawings,” Evans responded.

Solicitor Megan Turnbull added, “You can not release blueprints of any of your school buildings and nor do you want your district doing that.”

Questions Raised About Proposed Code of Conduct Policy

Resident Stacy Adams spoke regarding a proposed code of conduct policy being considered by the board.

Adams said the policy “states the district will not tolerate intimidation, harassment, retaliation, or unprofessional conduct.”

She asked directors Honick and Novacek, “Who is responsible for enforcing this policy when a complaint involves district leadership or individuals with relationships to members of this board and what safeguards are in place to ensure those complaints are investigated fairly and without conflicts of interest.”

Following the exchange involving Straub’s comments, Turnbull reminded attendees of the purpose and structure of public comment.

“This is the board’s meeting and you are invited to provide comments and we are doing so in a manner consistent with your policy and then a little bit of extra grace and we will continue to do that,” Turnbull said.

“In order to give everyone an opportunity to share their thoughts with the board we must do it in a orderly fashion and we ask that everyone do so and thank you for your cooperation.”

Teachers Union Calls for Cooperation

Resident, Elizabeth Forward teacher, and union representative Eric Weimerskirch encouraged cooperation between the district and the teachers union during ongoing contract negotiations.

“We also believe in a contract that is fair to the teachers but also fiscally responsible to the district is not only possible but it’s in reach,” Weimerskirch said.

“We believe strongly that Elizabeth Forward should be, could be, but ultimately must be a destination district for young, hungry, teachers who want to come here, who want to stay here, who have the means to stay here, and build long lasting careers and be contributing members to our community.”

He said achieving that goal requires strong leadership from both the district and the union.

“We believe we can get a deal done,” he said.

Agenda Items and Voting

Board Rejects Tax Increase and Budget

The board unanimously approved Agenda Item 8.1, establishing Act 511 taxes for the 2026-27 school year. Rates approved included an Earned Income Tax of 0.5%, a Local Services Tax of $5, and a Real Estate Transfer Tax of $0.50 per $100 of assessed value.

Before discussion of Agenda Item 8.2, which would have established the district’s real estate tax rate at 29.7437 mills, Director Tom Sharkey offered remarks regarding district spending and educational performance.

“For the 2024 school year, Elizabeth Forward is ranked with 48 of its peers. Elizabeth Forward is ranked 8th from the bottom per pupil costs. Meaning least expensive. 2025-2026 we rank 10. We are in the bottom third for costs for students, however according to Pittsburgh Time we are in the top third for the educational performance and we thank our teachers for that,” Sharkey said.

Before casting his vote, Sharkey explained why he opposed the proposed tax increase.

“Before I vote I would like to explain concerns with the budget. I believe, we can get to, as Mr. Weimerskirch stated, in agreement. I think it’s very important that we have a budget that goes along with that agreement. I also have concerns with our starting salary and retaining teachers for our children. I believe we need to vote on a budget that settles those issues. This one does not do that so my vote is a no,” Sharkey said.

Director Scott Henry also explained his opposition.

“I have a record of supporting teachers, I believe you deserve to get paid. I’m voting no to the tax increase and no to the budget for those very reasons. So again, when somebody comes in here and maligns the board saying we are putting teachers against each other, that’s a flat out lie,” Henry said.

“I respect everything that these teachers do for the students. Not just my daughters, for the most vulnerable students in our district. With all due respect, when members of the community, specifically one, wants to come in here and blame the board for not supporting teachers, respectfully, you’re wrong. So I am voting no.”

The tax increase failed by a 2-7 vote, with Directors Rick Cummings and Keith Balint voting in favor.

Director Henry then made a motion to table Item 8.3, adopting Resolution 2026-004 Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item 8.4, adoption of the district’s 2026-27 Final General Fund Budget with expenditures of $53,986,732, also failed, with all directors voting against the measure.

Prior to the vote, Turnbull advised the board regarding the consequences of not approving a budget.

“Ultimately the board, depending on the outcome of this, there is no authority to pay any bills or payroll as of July 1st if you do not have an approved budget,” Turnbull said.

She recommended the board continue discussions at a future meeting if necessary.

“I would recommend that if this does not pass, we should recess at the end of the meeting to confer about those dates and those options and then make a plan to proceed.”

Turnbull also explained, “A yes vote would mean that you have a budget and don’t have a funding mechanism yet.”

Agenda Item 8.5, acknowledging the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s determination that the district maintained Maintenance of Effort requirements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, passed unanimously.

Remaining Business

All items in Section 9 passed unanimously.

In Section 10, all items passed with Evans voting against all items and Director Ferraro voting against Items 10.3 through 10.7.

All items in Sections 11 through 16 passed unanimously.

Among those approvals was Item 11.1, the appointment of Dr. Anthony Popowitz as middle school principal effective July 6, 2026. Board members took time to congratulate him on his appointment.

The Elizabeth Forward School District will have a Continuation of the Regular School Board Meeting on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be held in the Middle School Auditorium located at 401 Rock Run Road, Elizabeth, PA 15037.

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Reminder

These articles are intended to provide brief summaries of Elizabeth Forward School Board meetings. All coverage is provided voluntarily and free of charge for readers. Due to writing and space limitations, not every discussion or agenda item can be fully covered. For complete context and further understanding of meeting topics, readers are encouraged to watch the district’s livestreams and archived recordings available on the Elizabeth Forward School Board YouTube page.

Meeting Recording:https://www.youtube.com/live/pQDvn4LkZD8?si=79trfVcWenA__H6I