Upper Dublin In Review
Legislative Briefs - June 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. Additionally, Dr. Yanni announced that the Board will not take action on the motion regarding the Transportation Facility Feasibility Study to authorize a geotechnical investigation and sketch plan submission.
Community Input - The following topics were addressed during the first community input:
- Health and Safety Plan
- COVID relief funding and plans for spending
- Legislative agenda
- Community input and petition regarding Transportation Facility
- Virtual programming and learning options during COVID restrictions
Minutes - The following minutes were included in the agenda:
- The Board approved the minutes from the May 17, 2021 Legislative meeting.
- The Board affirmed the minutes from the May 2021 committee meetings.
Education Committee/Curriculum/Technology/Student Services Recommendations -
The Board reviewed and approved the following:
- June 2021 Enrollment Report
- Professional development conferences
- Student activity report
- Renewal of Schoology Learning Management System, Naviance software, Infinite Campus/Shoutpoint student information system and messaging system
- Confidential educational agreements
Finance Committee Recommendations - The Board approved the following:
- By roll call votes the Board approved the 2021-2022 Final Budget, a transfer to the Capital Reserve Fund, and a commitment to the fund balance for pending and future real estate assessment appeals.
- Routine matters - the Board approved routine matters such as the review of the Treasurer's Report, the list of bill payments, insurance policy renewals, cooperative purchasing agreements, supply bids, three year bid for trash/recycling services, fund depositories, budgetary transfers, summer 2021 payments authorization, and the obsolete list.
- Other matters - The Board approved a change order for Skepton Construction for onsite portable toilets at SRMS, two settlement stipulations, and appraisal service agreements with Valbridge Property Advisors Lukens and Wolf for four properties. Additionally, the Board approved the renewal of the internet service contract, purchase of an IntegraOne HPE storage system, renewal of the Ruvna emergency management app, core switch replacement, and replacement of the HPE back-up server.
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, and new teacher induction.
- Administrator salaries for 2021-2022
- Affiliation and Intern agreements for Food Service
- Trustee representative to the Bucks & Montgomery County Schools Health Care Consortium
- Memorandum of Understanding with Upper Dublin Education Association for Curriculum Leaders for the 2021-2022 school year
Policy Committee Recommendations - The Board approved the following second readings of policies:
- Assignment to Schools Within the District (206)
- Student Records (216)
- Prohibited Harassment by and of Students (248)
Other Business and Reports
- The Board affirmed the list of the 2021 high school graduates, accepted two Educational Advisory Committee (EAC) reports, and also approved the District Health and Safety Plan. The District Health and Safety Plan can be found under Coronavirus Communications on the homepage of our website.
- The Board reviewed an informational item, the Memorandum of Understanding between Upper Dublin School District and the Upper Dublin Police Department. This will become part of the District's Emergency Response Plan and also administrative regulation to Board policy 225.
- The Board appointed Dr. Darlene Davis and Mr. Michael Henderson as delegates for the 2021 Pennsylvania School Boards Association's Delegate Assembly.
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 meeting, from 6:00 PM to just before 7:00 PM, to discuss personnel matters, and matters of litigation involving tax assessment appeals. Mr. Diasio reported on state legislation that impact public schools and changes to the PA School Code often happen this time of year. The Solicitor's office is anticipating some changes in the coming weeks and will keep the District advised of impacts to the District in their Solicitor's Office updates.
Community Input - The following topics were addressed during the second community input:
- Petition regarding Transportation Facility
- Location of proposed Transportation Facility (traffic, noise, and air quality)
- Town Hall
- Referendum
- Alternate locations for Transportation Facility
- Cost of proposed Transportation Facility
- Field of Dreams
- Car line at Ft. Washington Elementary School
- Health and Safety Plan
- Health agency guidance (CDC, PADOH, MCOPH)
- Survey to parents regarding in-person/virtual learning for 21-22 school year
- Township land development rules
- High school project budget
- Budget analysis for outsourcing transportation
- Budget process transparency
- Policy regarding community input
- Tax increase
- Natatorium MOU and priority usage for high school sports teams
- Board policy and PA School Code regarding community use of District facilities
Comments from the Board and/or Superintendent - The following topics were addressed:
- Dr. Yanni responded to comments regarding the Health and Safety plan and guidance from health agencies, virtual programming, the petition regarding the transportation facility, potential Town Hall or special meeting, outsourcing staff, proposed timeline of transportation facility, natatorium usage, and priority use of natatorium.
- Mr. Diasio clarified that the District is not in violation of policy or law regarding the issue of natatorium use.
- Mr. Sirota addressed the topic of real estate issues/alternate locations, timeline, and Town Halls.
Upcoming Meetings - The following meetings are scheduled for August 2021:
Finance Committee - Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 6:00 PM
Policy Committee - Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7:15 PM or immediately following the Finance Committee
Legislative Meeting - Monday, August 23, 2021, 7:00 PM
Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 PM.