School Board Notes
July 2021
Continuity of Instruction Plan & Health and Safety Plan
The continuity of instruction and the health and safety plans were approved for the 2021-2022 school year and can be found here. The continuity of instruction plan provides for a focus on in-person instruction 5-days per week. The plan outlines that in the event the district is required to reduce student capacity or to close schools, the instructional plan will be to provide online synchronous Methacton teacher-led instruction 5-days per week.
The Health and Safety Plan provides for a set of layered COVID-19 mitigation strategies to maximize in-person instruction, 5-days per week, for all students in kindergarten through grade 12 and for athletics and activities. The plan covers similar matters found in last year’s plan, but layers the implementation of strategies against transmission levels (low, moderate, or substantial levels) within our community. It is important to note that masking as defined within the plan is optional and should be driven by individual and parental choice. However, Dr. Zerbe stated that, similar to last year, we may be required to make modifications based on new information. The plan does outline that requiring masks or requiring a closure would come from the county or state health departments. On another important note, the district, like others in the Montgomery County, is working with CHOP on a test-to-stay program that could help reduce disruption during the school year. There will be more information on this in August.
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Board of School Directors approved a job description for a Supervisor of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as another step in our progress to ensuring an exceptional Methacton School District experience for all. The posting of the position will occur within the week with anticipation of making a recommendation to the Board in September or, at the latest, in October. In the meantime, the consultant who has worked with the district DEI team to prepare, collect and analyze a community, student and staff survey, will end his work with the district in August. Dr. Judy Gallagher-Landis, who is currently serving as one of the lead administrators on the district DEI team, will be the temporary point-person for the district until a full-time DEI Supervisor is in place. The administrative team will be meeting in early August with members of the district DEI Team to review the past several months of work conducted by the team and review the survey data and path forward. Dr. Zerbe has asked his team to prepare an infographic outlining some of the important DEI matters and timeline, which can be found here.
District Appointment
The Board approved the appointment of Ms. Joyce Amici to serve as Interim Principal at Worcester Elementary School. Ms. Amici has been a teacher in the Methacton School District for 14 years, however, this is her twenty-first year in education. Ms. Amici received her undergraduate degree in both Elementary and Special Education from Millersville University. She holds a Master’s Degree in Reading, and is a certified reading specialist. She earned her principal certification from Penn State University. Ms. Amici is thrilled to continue to serve the students, families, staff and community of Worcester Elementary.
All other items listed in the
July 27, 2021 agenda were approved, with the exception of the iRoy Sports Workout Program for high school students.
July 27 2021 Regular Board Meeting
July 20, 2021 Work Session Meeting of the Board
July 12, 2021 Special Meeting of the Board
Board Notes
The Methacton School District's Board of School Directors meets each month. School board work session meetings are generally held on the third Tuesday of the month, followed by the regular meeting on the fourth Tuesday (except during the month of December). Regular Board and work session meetings typically take place in the MHS LGI, and all residents are invited to attend. Committee meetings may take place in the Board Room at the Farina Center, or the MHS LGI. During the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings will be held virtually. Meeting agendas are posted to agenda manager, and start times and locations are posted on the District's website. Please confirm meeting time and location before attending.
Download the meeting calendar here. Watch the meeting video online.
