ADAMS TWP — Two Mars Area School District decisions led to an exchange between board members during the Wednesday, Sept. 9, meeting.

Decided by a 7-2 board vote, the district will buy two decommissioned cars from the Cranberry Township Police Department at a price tag of up to $36,000.

The district will also accept a donation of $20,000 from Evelyn Rodgers Foundation to be used for the purchase.

Board members Mike Bordt and Joseph Joswiak voted against both the decisions. A discussion between board members ensued from disagreements over the ethics of accepting the donation, with critics pointing out the foundation’s ties to the district’s solicitors.

The board had previously approved the purchase of one district-owned police car during its Aug. 18 meeting for up to $30,000.

Mars Area School District’s safety and security director Jeff James clarified at the meeting that contrary to concerns he has heard, the new $36,000 price tag is a cumulative cost of that car and a second car, rather than an additional expense.

He said the base purchase will amount to $18,500, and adding 911-compliant radios will cost $11,000 an additional. Taking off the graphics from the car will be an additional $4,000.

“That's kind of a high-end estimate,” James said. “And then there will be some small costs like registering the vehicles.”

James estimated the purchases will total up to $33,500. The extra $2,500 accounts for emergency funds, he said.

Bordt and Joswiak, who voted no against the purchase and the donation, expressed concern about the donor’s ties to Dillon, McCandless, King, Coulter & Graham, the legal firm that represents the school district. Individuals on the foundation are also partners of the firm.

“Ethically, I don’t think it’s right,” Bordt said.

“I don’t understand how we can take money from someone that is our solicitor,” Joswiak said. He called the donation a “conflict of interest,” and Bordt said the board accepting the money would be a bad look for Mars Area.

One parent, Ellen Shilling, spoke in support of the detractors during public comment.

“I think it’s unethical. You guys vote on who this solicitor is, and you vote on their (salary) increases,” Shilling said. “I think this board could do better with transparency to the public.”

Supporters of the donation pushed back.

Anthony DePretis, board treasurer, said charitable contributions from individuals or groups in the community involved in the school district are nothing new.

He also called opposition to a donation from Evelyn Rodgers Foundation on the grounds of its role in the district a “ridiculous standpoint.”

“They’re not getting anything from us by doing this,” DePretis said. “I think it’s a slap in the face to the person who's donating to reject a donation based on who they are.”

“We have all kinds of people in this district that make donations,” DePretis added. “I've made donations to the school district. Is that wrong? I don’t think so.”

Board member Jennifer DiCuccio noted that the donation will reduce the amount of taxpayer money spent on the cars.

The contribution brings the district’s out-of-pocket spending down to $13,000 and $14,000, according to James.

“No matter how you spin it, it’s (for the) safety of our kids and our staff,” said board member Justin Miller. “Somebody generous donated this money, and made it easier on the district.”

Some board members also discussed past actions. Bordt specifically mentioned the district’s decision in 2025 to cut ties with Adams Township Police Department, and hire its own full-time head of security.

Bordt said the district’s spending increased because of this, and that his opposition to that decision will not change.

“You guys threw a very good partnership away, and it's just a continuous slap on the face,” Bordt said.

Miller said the school’s security officers have faced a lot of scrutiny, and defended them at the meeting.

“They are police officers here to protect every one of us. And shame on anybody for saying anything making them out to anything less than the deal,” Miller said.

Political differences were also a source of lengthy discussion at the meeting.

Joswiak claimed that in his time on the board, members of the school board — other than him and Bordt — have historically voted the same way. Miller and DiCuccio voiced their disagreement with Joswiak’s claim.

“We need to drive the politics out of this room,” DePretis said.

Board member Aaron Rose said he knew Evelyn Rodgers before she died, and said, “Evelyn was a hardcore, conservative Republican from way back. Back in the early 2000s, she was the chairwoman of the Republican Committee, so she was hardcore Back the Blue. And so I think it’s completely within her character.”

Rose later clarified that he brought up politics because that is how he knew Rodgers.

“In the seat, I don’t distinguish between parties,” Rose said.