The Pleasant Valley School Board gave out an early Christmas present to a taxpayer of Chestnuthill Township at the Dec. 16th meeting.

He asked the board if it would waive the penalty amount of $676.76 due to the fact that the post office had not returned his incorrect base payment mailed to him until Dec. 10. The incorrect base payment was mailed by tax collector June O'Neil with a post mark date of Nov. 22.He said that his wife had sent the incorrect amount the first time and they did not receive notification of the mistake until after the penalty date. He explained to the board the sequence of events that took place with proof of the mailed envelopes and that the penalty amount was an added hardship for him and his family at this time. He lost his job four months ago and his home is now in foreclosure. He and his family have moved in with his parents in New Jersey.The board adjourned to hold an executive session. When the board reconvened after only a few minutes, a motion was made to approve forgiving the penalty amount of $676.76, which it did unanimously, with members Harvey Frable and H. Charles Hoffman absent.PVE principal, Penny Derr told the board that the school collected close to 1,000 toys to be donated to Toys for Tots and numerous food items to be donated to Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network.PVE assistant principal, Todd VanNortwick, talked about the school's Holidays Around the World event and 416 people attended. He gave a slide presentation of the event, saying it was for folks to enjoy the holiday season but it was educational, too.Three students, Evan Patch and twins Alexis and Brianna Clark read the reports they gave on the countries they studied. Evan's was on Ireland, Alexis-Australia and Brianna-Africa.Dr. Douglas Arnold, PVSD superintendent, said it was a great privilege to have been part of a panel consisting of PV's superintendents over its 50 year history as part of yearlong observance of its 50th anniversary that was held at PVHS. They fielded questions from members of the student body. The panel consisted of Dr. John B. Nye, Dr. Frank Pullo, and Dr. Arnold. John C. Mills was the first superintendent and is deceased. Dr. Ken Reid was ill and could not attend."The kids asked some interesting questions. Both Dr. Nye and Dr. Pullo were really pleased to come back," he said.Dr. Arnold thanked John Gress, PVHS's principal for coordinating the event."He's the mover and shaker for getting this rolling," Dr. Arnold said.The board approved:*Hiring substitutes Diane Martinetti, healthroom technician, Matthew Gould, paraprofessional associate, Judy Sanbeg, monitor, Randy Serfass, custodian*Transferring Andrea Yozwiak, part-time paraprofessional associate from PVI to PVMS*Hiring Carlene Altemose from part-time to full-time paraprofessional associate, effective Dec. 20, 2010 at PVE, replacing Catherine Giannakis*Hiring Rebecca Martini as 7th grade long-term developmental reading teacher substitute for Michele Antolick at annual salary of $39,200 prorated, effective Dec. 10, 2010 through the conclusion of the third marking period of the 2010-2011 school year*Hiring substitutes Laura Jecker, all areas; Lucy Lopez, all areas; Diane Martinetti, school nurse; Matthew Modzelewski, all areas; Diane Schnell, elementary; Margaret Stewart, elementary/biology/all areas; Mary Ellen Valenti, all areas; Marvin Walton, all areas; Norine Zehner, all areas; Andrea Blanco, elementary/all areas; Matthew Gould, early childhood; Garrett James, art; Jennifer Poole, social studies; Marie Snyder, Elementary; Cindy Weimer, German; Kyle Bonser, health and physical education; Mariealaena Miscannon, English.*Resignation from Bernadette Feliciano, PVI monitor effective Dec. 17, 2010 but wishes to remain on substitute monitor list.PVI had collected as of Dec. 15, 30 coats (adults and children), 40 hats, 40 gloves and scarfs to be donated to those in need and 17 20 lb. turkeys to be placed in baskets with food items collected for Christmas dinners and toys for children for 24 families to be donated to those in need.Chestnuthill Elementary sponsored five local families and collected enough to fill baskets for Christmas dinners for each.PVHS's LEO Club collected over 1,000 food items to be donated to a local food pantry.The board approved the following business contracts:*Mark Rehrig as DJ for Regional FBLA competition Dec. 21 for $100, for Junior Prom, Dec. 10 for 3 1/2 hours for $300 and for Sadie Hawkins Dance, a fundraiser for Senior Class, at cost of $200.*Simplex Grinnell Fire Alarm repair for PVI at cost of $1,320*Marcus Pitts, DJ for 9th grade dance on May 13, 2011 at a cost of $200*Benmore Enterprises (Michael P. Straka) third grade assembly on Rocks and Minerals at PVE, Polk and Eldred, $350 a day, total $700*Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation-Mobile Ag Ed Science Lab for one week at PVE, cost $2,300 for week*Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm for PVE kindergarten field trip, cost $900*Gordon Korman, author for assemblies, cost $4,000*VisionQuest to provide educational services for up to 16 children between the ages of 12-18 at any given time, beginning in January 2011 and ending June 30, 2011 at a cost of $2,584 per month per classroomThe board approved advertising the 2011-2012 preliminary budget for approval at the Jan. 27, 2011 meeting.The board approved, with member James Spinola voting "No" to forgive the penalty amount of $45.07 on property in regard to the repayment of the Homestead Exemption. The taxpayer is obligated to repay the District for the Homestead Exemption. The amount to be paid back will be in the base amount of $450.65.The board approved to establish a new student activity account entitled Gay Straight Alliance Club.Board member James Spinola said that he attended the high school band concert Dec. 9 and "You could close your eyes and think you were hearing a professional band play. It was outstanding."Board member Thomas Murphy said that he always amazed at the generosity of everyone in the schools. "You probably do make a huge difference in people's lives and I wish you all a happy holiday."Board President, Susan Kresge, voiced her agreement with Murphy.