Pepper chosen to replace Wiltz as president

Elaine Pappasergi will take her place as vice president of the school board.

Barbara Pepper is the new leader of the Charleroi Area School Board.

Pepper, the only nominee, won in a unanimous vote Tuesday to replace board President Ken Wiltz, who died last week at 79.

Wiltz was first elected in 1975 and has been a school board director for 49 years. He had served the past 22 years as president.

Pepper became vice president in July when Adele Hopkins stepped down from the role.

Elaine Pappasergi was unanimously selected to serve as the board’s vice president.

Before getting into regular business, which circulated around routine motions heading into the 2024-25 school year, the board held a moment of silence for Wiltz.

Contracts were approved, positions were filled and calendar items were finalized, but the most relevant discussion centered around the district’s Stuff the Bus in July at Dee’s Event Center.

Distributions were held last week for students across all grade levels.

Board member Thomas Nutting said the event, which raised money to purchase supplies for distribution, and the distribution event itself were well attended.

The fundraiser was held at the River House. In addition to a high-end basket auction, 10% of all food sales that day were used to purchase supplies.

Nutting said the basket auction raised $3,875 and food sales added another $675 to their total.

“That did not include other donations, cash donations or checks that were written to us,” Nutting said. “We had students lined up around the block to get supplies. I just want to thank everyone who came out to support us.”

Superintendent Dr. Ed Zelich said a successful firsttime health and wellness fair was held on campus last week. Through that event he made a connection at UPMC, which wants to host a farmers market for district families next month.

The date has yet to be finalized, but it will supply at least 300 families with fresh food and produce at no cost.

Additionally Zelich said a back-to-school event set for today is expected to fill the elementary center.

From 4:30 to 6 p.m., families can stop by, tour the school, meet their teachers and see their friends before they head back to class.

“We expect it to be packed, which is great,” Zelich said. “We’re really excited.”

Students will return to class Thursday.