The Methacton School District Board of School Directors voted to approve the findings reached by the arbitration panel that has been working to review the final and best offers of both the Board and Methacton Education Association since October of 2017.

The teachers' association voted to ratify the panel's recommendation at the same time, and as a result, the arbitrators’ decision is final and binding. Rules of the non-binding arbitration process set forth by the panel state that confidentiality of the decision/recommendation should be maintained during the ten-day consideration period or until this decision and recommendation is ratified or rejected by the Association or accepted or rejected by the Board, whichever comes first. As such, the Board released details of the panel's recommendation immediately following the meeting.

Download the panel's recommendation, approved by both the Board and MEA, here.

The panel's recommendation includes salary increases of 3.99% in year one, 5.11% in year two, and 3.87% in year three. Included in this decision are increases in teacher premium share contributions that result in a net impact of 3.99% in year one, 4.64% in year two, and 3.07% in year three.

The Methacton Board of School Directors and the Methacton Education Association (MEA) received the decision/recommendation from the three-member Non-Binding Arbitration panel for contract negotiations, composed of an MEA-appointed arbitrator, a Board of School Directors-appointed arbitrator, and a mutually agreed upon neutral arbitrator. The panel of three arbitrators drafted a unanimous recommendation to be acted upon within 10 days by both parties under the provisions of the law.

Arrowhead Principal Aaron Roberts and Worcester Principal Jenifer Brucker were joined by participants in each school's Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program. The group reviewed the program's successes and talked about future plans for the program.

The Board approved, after discussion at the work session meeting, revisions to job descriptions for members of the superintendent's cabinet. Dr. Troy Sosnovik, Methacton's Interim Director of Personnel, reviewed plans for the development of a cycle of job description review for all of the district's employees.

At the Board's request, Ms. Mila Hayes, Member Services Manager for the Pennsylvania School Board Association (PSBA) Southeast Region, presented an overview of the different levels of membership in PSBA afforded to the Board. As per a motion under new business, the Board authorized the move from the standard PSBA membership to the all access level of PSBA membership.

All other items listed on the February 27 agenda were approved.

The Board of School Directors approved the 2018-2019 preliminary budget during a special meeting of the Board on February 14. Download the PDE 2028 document for the preliminary budget here.

During the January 16 School Board Work Session Meeting, Superintendent Dr. David Zerbe and Methacton's Director of Business Services, Mr. Tim Bricker delivered the draft proposed preliminary budget presentation to the Board.

A review of the proposed final budget is scheduled for the May 9 School Board Finance Committee meeting, with adoption of the proposed final budget scheduled for a special meeting of the Board on May 15. Following a review by the finance committee on June 13, the Board is expected to adopt a final budget for the 2018-2019 school year on June 19. Follow the preparation of the 2018-2019 budget, and confirm meeting dates and times on the district's website at www.methacton.org/budget.

Superintendent Dr. David Zerbe invited Award of Excellence recipients to be recognized by the Board. Honored in February were Worcester Elementary School employees Jen Slater and Sue Fazio.

Worcester Elementary School Principal Jenifer Brucker read a few words honoring Ms. Slater and Ms. Fazio. Read more about these two fine individuals on the district's website.

Worcester Elementary School fourth grade students Adam Smith and Olivia Feliciani were February's Junior School Board Directors. Olivia helped to open the meeting, while Adam shared what makes being a student at Worcester Elementary School so special.