South Fayette applying to host national student councils conference
South Fayette School Board approved a motion Nov. 22 that could bring the National Association of Student Councils Conference to the district campus in 2018.
The board gave permission to high school social studies teacher Felix Yerace to apply for consideration to host the event.
Last year, the conference attracted more than 1,000 students and adults from 46 state associations. South Fayette students have attended the conference in the past.
“If we hosted it here, we’d have the opportunity for not only may of our students to attend the event, but also being intimately involved with the planning and execution of the event as well,” Yerace said. “It really is an outstanding leadership opportunity for our students.”
Yerace, who also serves as the district director for the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils, was contacted to consider hosting the event, which would dominate South Fayette High School for three days in June 2018. The biggest role the district would play would be in managing the site and providing bus transportation for visiting attendees. The district would also be responsible for facilities costs, and food and T-shirts for volunteers.
Yerace and the high school student council would generate money for the event through traditional fundraisers and business sponsorships.
“We’re looking at this to be of no cost to our district budget,” Superintendent Bille Rondinelli said.
The board approved Yerace’s request to submit the application to host the event, but the campus still needs to be vetted and selected by the National Association of Student Councils.
Also approved was a slight change to the schedule of school board meetings. To accommodate 2017 budget deadlines, the board will meet Monday, Feb. 13, and Tuesday Feb. 21. The board will also hold its reorganization meeting on Dec. 5.