JACKSON TWP — Because of increasing lab costs, Seneca Valley School District will increase its drug testing fees for the first time in “numerous years.”

Assistant superintendent Matthew McKinley said the cost increased by $1, but the district raised the fee $2, due to administrative costs, from $30 to $32. Superintendent Tracy Vitale said parents will only have to pay for the first test. Subsequent tests are free.

Seneca Valley implemented “lottery” drug tests in 2001 — meaning any student drivers, athletes, or activity members, are subject to random testing.

According to the student handbook, “A weekly random list, generated by the testing contractor, is provided to school administration and those students listed will be asked to provide a urine sample.”

According to the handbook, Seneca Valley implemented the policy to “help deter student drug usage.”

The Seneca Valley Academic Decathlon Team are headed to nationals. After clinching first place at the United States Academic Decathlon, the team will compete April 25 to 27 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School executive director Regina Hiler sent a proposal to convert the counselor position to a “Workforce Development Coordinator.” Board member Fred Peterson said this change would “help the kids get out into the world after the end of the year.”

The district also released their April “dates to remember,” which includes an ACT test on Saturday at 7:30 a.m.

Finally, two of Seneca Valley’s music instructors will receive awards. The first is the 2024 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Citation of Excellence in Teaching Award given to Tracy Glass, instrumental instructor for students grades 4 through 6. She will receive the award in Erie later this month.

The second is the 2024 Butler County Symphony Association’s Outstanding Music Educator Award given to Chessa Fernandez-Crum, Ryan Gloyer Middle School’s choir director. The award “brings attention to the excellent and impactful work of a music teacher in Butler County.”