Upper Dublin In Review
Legislative Briefs - August 2021
Upper Dublin Board of School Directors
Dr. Darlene Davis, President, Mr. Jeffrey Wallack, Vice President,
Ms. Amy Francek, Mr. Michael Henderson, Ms. Jennifer Iannitti, Dr. Art Levinowitz,
Mr. Stan Ropski, Ms. Titia Scherpbier, Mr. Mark Sirota
President's Welcome - Dr. Davis welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Student Government Report - There was no report as the student representative Ms. Joyce Jung is off for the summer. She will join the Board in September.
Superintendent's Report - Dr. Yanni provided his Superintendent's Report. Click here to read Dr. Yanni's full report.
Community Input - The following topics were addressed during the first community input:
- SRMS auditorium change order
- ADA compliance
- Expenses related to litigation
- Social media
- Consent decree
- Transparency and fiscal responsibility
Minutes - The following minutes were included in the agenda:
- The Board approved the minutes from the June 21, 2021 Legislative meeting.
- The Board affirmed the minutes from the June 2021 committee meetings.
Education Committee/Curriculum/Technology/Student Services Recommendations -
The Board reviewed and approved the following:
- August 2021 Enrollment Report
- Student Activities report
- Professional development with Dr. Catlin Tucker
- Annual service agreements with Lakeside School, District Dentist, Physical Therapy Services, School-Based Access Program, MCIU, and Merakey.
- Confidential educational agreements
Finance Committee Recommendations - The Board approved the following:
- Routine matters - the Board approved routine matters such as the review of the Treasurer's Report, the list of bill payments, and the obsolete list.
- Other matters - The Board approved a change order for Skepton Construction for COVID cleaning protocols for on-site portable toilets at SRMS, change order for SRMS auditorium, change order for parking lot paving, air quality study proposal as it relates to the proposal to build a transportation facility, purchase of new pool heater, and three settlement stipulations. Additionally, the Board approved the purchase of ViewSonic Interactive panels for classrooms, renewal of the ePlus Cisco SMARTnet subscription, and ePlus Palo Alto firewall support and subscription renewal.
Personnel Report/Recommendations - The Board approved the following:
- Personnel Report inclusive of appointments, Extended School Year and COVID Compensatory Services, resignations, retirements, terminations, leaves of absence, changes of status, changes of contract status, and degree changes.
- Independent Contractor Agreement
- Agreement with Kelly Services for substitute teachers
- Addendum to an agreement with General Healthcare Resources for substitute nursing services
- Affiliation Agreements with LaSalle University, Arcadia University, Gwynedd Mercy University, Temple University, Chestnut Hill College, Baylor University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Emerson College
- Memorandum of Agreement with Upper Dublin Education Association for virtual learning
Policy Committee Recommendations - The Board affirmed the following first readings of the following policies:
- Meetings (006)
- Guidance and School Counseling Programs (112)
- Career and Technical Education (115)
- Use of Medications (210)
Other Business and Reports
- The Board voted on the slate of candidates for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association's (PSBA) 2021 Officers Election.
Liaison Committee Reports - The Board reviewed the following informational reports:
- Montgomery County Intermediate Unit - Darlene Davis
- Montgomery County Legislative Committee - Amy Francek
- EASTERN Center for Arts & Technology - Art Levinowitz
- Equity and Empowerment Steering Committee - Jennifer Iannitti
- Educational Advisory Committee - Titia Scherpbier
- Pennsylvania School Boards Association - Michael Henderson
- Township - Mark Sirota and Stan Ropski
- Upper Dublin Education Foundation - Jeffrey Wallack
Solicitor's Report - Mr. Diasio reported that the Board met in Executive Session prior to the Legislative meeting, from 5:45 PM until just before 7:00 PM, to discuss personnel matters and matters of litigation.
Community Input - The following topics were addressed during the second community input:
- Expenses related to litigation
- Safe return to in-person learning
- Virtual learning
- Vaccinations/Pool Testing/Rapid Testing/Masking/Quarantining Guidelines
- Personnel report
- Independent Contractor Agreement
- Memorandum of Agreement with Upper Dublin Education Association (UDEA)
- Alternate locations for proposed transportation facility
- Township
- Prudential Property
- Health and Safety Plan
- Health agency guidance (CDC, PADOH, MCOPH)
Comments from the Board and/or Superintendent - The following topics were addressed:
- Dr. Yanni responded to comments regarding opting for virtual instruction, the March 2020 shutdown, confidential personnel investigation relating to Title IX, District and Township relations, the Memorandum of Agreement with UDEA, the Health and Safety plan and guidance from health agencies, the proposed transportation facility, and the air quality study.
- Mr. Sirota commented on the proposed transportation facility (alternate locations and community input).
- Ms. Francek commented on social media and ADA compliance.
Upcoming Meetings - The following meetings are scheduled for September 2021:
Education Committee - Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Policy Committee - Wednesday, September 1, 2021, 7:15 PM or immediately following the Education Committee
Finance Committee - Wednesday, September 8, 2021, 6:00 PM
Legislative Meeting - Monday, September 20, 2021, 7:00 PM
Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 PM.