SUMMIT TWP — At its meeting Monday night, which was held in the Herman Fire Hall, the Butler School Board:

Voted to extend a contract with William Pettigrew to serve as the district’s acting superintendent beyond the end of June. He will stay in the position until a new superintendent is hired or until he and the board agree to end the contract, but no later than Feb. 7 of next year.

Discussed several insurance renewals that will come up for a vote at its meeting next week.

District solicitor Tom King at the board’s previous meeting had asked the board to consider tabling some of the renewals because the district was involved in a federal lawsuit with two subsidiaries of Liberty Mutual.

The lawsuit, filed as a dispute to the district’s claim for coverage of legal costs as it fights another federal lawsuit, was settled Friday when Judge Arthur Schwab ruled in favor of the district.

Monday night King reported that he and Pettigrew had met with a representative of Gallagher, the district’s insurance broker, and that he recommended the board to renew its contract with the firm.

However, King said he would be corresponding with attorneys with Liberty Mutual in hopes of getting guarantees that they would not be appealing the decision and that they would reimburse the district for legal fees incurred fighting the insurance lawsuit.

If they do not provide such guarantees, King said he would recommend the board switch to the second-lowest bidder for liability insurance — Regions Insurance. King also said that if they do not cover the district’s legal fees he would recommend the board to file a bad faith lawsuit against Liberty Mutual for suing the district in the first place.

Heard a presentation during its education committee meeting from pilot and flying instructor Steve Setnar about the aviation academy offered through Community College of Beaver County.

The academy, which is partnered with 39 high schools including Seneca Valley and Mars, allows students to spend part of their school day learning to fly and earning hours toward a pilot’s license.

Students must pay tuition and transportation costs, though if the district enters into an agreement Butler students would be eligible to apply for a federal Pell Grant to cover the costs.

Since the committee was in favor of pursuing an agreement, Assistant Superintendent Brian Slamecka said he would reach out to the college.

Were told that Center Township Elementary School won a $2,500 grant by participating in a program with The National Theatre for Children called “The Energized Guyz.”

The school was one of 92 schools to attend an assembly about energy conservation and then participated in a program in which families could sign up to receive a free energy-saving kit, Principal Jeff Mathieson said. Center Township came in first out of those schools and thus won the grant, which will be put toward the school’s SOAR program, which teaches students positive behaviors.