The Warren County School District will have a new solicitor.

Board members approved a request for proposals for a new solicitor following the resignation of attorney Chris Byham as of Jan. 9. Board members discussed the RFP during committee meetings in December, though board member John Wortman suggested that the board motion be amended to include language requiring experience in school law, either prior experience as a school district solicitor or employment by a law firm that demonstrates substantive experience in school law and has been retained to represent school districts in the role of solicitor.”

The amended RFP was approved unanimously.

Sitting in Byham’s place for Monday’s meeting was Rachael Glasoe of Knox, McLaughlin, Gornall & Sennett.

Earlier in the meeting, during public comment, Scott Angove read a letter from Whirley CEO Lincoln Sokolski, who said the school board members represent the entire county of approximately 37,000 people and 3700 students including the many small communities, making it extremely difficult to satisfy all. Urging the board to take their time to carefully hire the best candidate, Sokolski said, one who will give the very best legal advice on important matters in the district.

Sokolski’s letter noted his service on boards that include the United Fund, YMCA, Kinzua Youth Development Center, WGH as well as advising the Allegheny Valley Veterans Center.

“One board I have never been directly a part of is our Warren county school district board. I know this is one of the most difficult and challenging boards to serve on,” Solokski’s letter said.

Hank LeMeur, president of Superior Tires and WCCBI board chairman, said his opinion is that David Bauer is disqualified from becoming the school’s solicitor. Speaking from an educational board experience, as well as an extensive service to the NPRC, LeMeur said he appreciated the time and sacrifice of the board members in service to faithfully discharge their responsibilities.

“The solicitor’s job is to provide the board with expert, unbiased, educational, legal advice so the board can have informed deliberation on legal matters. The solicitor is also a key partner to the superintendent as he navigates challenging legal issues that come up continually,” LeMeur said.

LeMeur noted school consolidation has been a topic of discussion since the 1990s and early 2000s, with many efforts made to reach a consensus. At the same time, the student population dropped annually for 25 years across the county.

“Thirty years later and $200 million in debt with an annual interest bill of $7 million,.we have two high schools, just not the way we planned it, nor ideal,” LeMeur said.

Closing with a positive and constructive example, LeMeur said his company was fortunate to hire a graduating senior from the Warren County Career Center in 2022. Josh Parker is a manufacturing supervisor managing 20 employees in the milling and welding operations.

“Josh came to Superior with excellent technical training, but more importantly, the mindset that learning’s fun. I’ve heard several times, as recently as last week, that the Warren County Career Center is the best in Western Pennsylvania. I believe it. So I ask myself, is it any coincidence that one of the most successful Warren County School Distinct locations, where teachers teach, administrators administer and students learn, is also where the school board is least intrusive?”