School Board Notes

September 2020

Student Board Representatives

The Board of School Directors appointed MHS juniors Claire Ferrance and Nolan McCloskey to serve as Student Board Representatives for a two-year term. In addition to their new roles, Claire and Nolan also keep busy with other activities. Claire is on the volleyball team and participates in the Multicultural and Model UN clubs, while Nolan participates in baseball and basketball.

"M" Awards

Congratulations to our “M” Award winners! Methacton High School's Principal Dr. Jason Sorgini announced that more than 400 Methacton High School students have earned academic achievement for the 2019-2020 school year. Dr. Sorgini also recorded a video announcement of the "M" Award winners, which can be found on the High School website. These students have earned a 93% or greater cumulative GPA for the 19-20 school year in Grade 9, Grade 10, and Grade 11. We are proud of all our students for their hard work and dedication to achieving academic excellence.

Award of Excellence

Methacton’s Award of Excellence honorees for September 2020 represent Farina and Facilities. They are George Bernstiel, Maintenance Mechanic; Eileen Brown, Secretary to the Director of Technology; Noreen DiPrinzio, Secretary to the Director of Facilities; Cheryl Dungee, Payroll Specialist; Liz Yantosh, HR Specialist; and John Zedar, High School Custodian.


All of these outstanding staff members provide support for students, staff, and our community. They are valuable team members and we are pleased to share with everyone how much we appreciate their commitment to the students of the Methacton School District.

Backpack Program Update

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The Methacton Backpack Program is getting another big boost! Our school district has been selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Farmers to Families Food Box” Program. This program provides boxes of food for families in need that are packed with approximately 22 to 25 pounds of fresh meats, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. During the month of October, Methacton families enrolled in the Backpack Program will receive one of these fresh food boxes each week. To find out if your family qualifies to participate in the Backpack Program, please reach out to the counselor’s office at your child’s school.
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In addition, Board Vice President Liz Drummond announced that the Backpack Program now has its own official Facebook page.


Visit and follow www.facebook.com/Methactonbackpack to learn more about this district-wide program and find opportunities in which the community and businesses can donate.

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Meetings in Reviews

Return to On Premises Instruction


The Board of School Directors heard from Superintendent Dr. Zerbe at the Working Session of the Board held on September 22, 2020, and the voting meeting held on September 29, 2020, with regards to the framework and process for making the decision on how best to return to on premises instruction. In summary, Dr. Zerbe suggested that we utilize the COVID-19 percent positivity and incident rates of the county against the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s recommended instructional model chart (see presentation here).


While the several members of the Board were highly interested in having the elementary grades return in a full where possible, Dr. Zerbe recommended that based on results of a professional staff survey, the district would have significant issues with returning in full at lower grades. Dr. Zerbe explained that not only would we need more staff (9-15) but we would likely need more based on responses whereby medical or other benefit could be provided to the teacher in place of returning to on premises. Dr. Zerbe recommended that a hybrid return will be the most consistent opportunity given available metrics and PDE recommendations and allows us to communicate with certainty that we are able to deliver an alternative to all online instruction for families.


The Board of School Directors approved the direction to have the administration proceed with developing a plan for a return to on premises instruction that provides for students in K-12 a return in a hybrid model beginning on or about November 12, 2020 in an 8-1 vote.


All other items listed in the September 29, 2020 agenda were approved.

September 29, 2020 Regular Board Meeting

09-29-2020 Methacton School District Regular Board Meeting

September 22, 2020 Work Session Board Meeting

09-22-2020 Methacton School District Work Session Meeting of the Board

September 3, 2020 Special Meeting of the Board

09-03-2020 Methacton School District Special Meeting of the Board
Board Notes

Board Notes

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.
information@methacton.org 610-489-5000 methacton.org