[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6659558,"mediaKeyId","2453375-4963f12a67a6f4386858a0a28313bcdd","parentId",2453375,"title","Votes at a glance: Pottsgrove board approves personnel, contracts and calendar items","audioSeconds",449,"startMs",4331000,"endMs",4780000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2453375-4963f12a67a6f4386858a0a28313bcdd&start=4331&end=4780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2453375-4963f12a67a6f4386858a0a28313bcdd/thumbnail_4331000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6659558/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Pottsgrove-board-approves-personnel-contracts-and-calendar-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659558-5527bdc0346bea531c896c24eec136c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770497170&Signature=nDkebHBR3nr6j1yYGe9QmlFREIzevFVVTrEm-LckKAZ4zOkvIzKUMwtBB59a63pfJ~0bN-vidnYO6ykEg6XYDsaxWH3Myr97k1UxPE9TDIvf1iXwqcrpgwKdDkvqPiLkg8-5zrd1p081GtruKF7XlS4evH5F8xSkAPyDdmuXO7oF6Yws0B8EnHM3l0Vb7TsGoXhmb4OhfMI4VjT97phoznyKXvU17pqzP03fz-CJZTAL5yVT7dWiMxuRgQZwuH5c~aytNreI3YnBw-24YNxCalEia6~R8QNZc7uvh3IpEh6sR3hmmZ23IypnCNX9Gj70g3DvdIqfpQg3XMG7so3fng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pottsgrove School District","date","2025-03-01T00:16:55.157Z","article","At its meeting the Pottsgrove School District Board of School Directors approved multiple agenda items, including administrative and professional staff appointments, contracts for facility planning and services, a two-year school calendar and other routine items.

Key approved items recorded during the meeting:

- Administrative appointment (6.1): The board approved an administrative staffing appointment and congratulated Thomas Frivert on his appointment as an assistant principal (motion passed by voice vote during the meeting).

- Combined professional and support staffing items (6.2–6.10): The board approved a package of staff appointments, resignations, revised job descriptions, supplemental athletic and after-school tutoring staffing and leaves of absence (motion passed by voice vote).

- Payment authorization (7.1): The board approved a change to permit administration to pay bills weekly with subsequent ratification by the board (motion passed by voice vote).

- CMTA feasibility study contract (7.2): The board approved a contract with CMTA to perform a phased facilities and stadium feasibility/room-utilization study, subject to final solicitor and administration review, as requested on the record.

- Energy tax-credit filing (discussion): Administration described opportunity under the Inflation Reduction Act to seek a rebate for the West Pottsgrove geothermal project and said it would return with a formal action at a future meeting.

- Program agreements (8.1–8.4): The board approved an MOU with Family Services of Montgomery County for the Keep It Safe prom education program (including up to $2,500 for prom tickets for eligible students); a contract with the Lincoln Center for Family and Youth; and an Indiana University of Pennsylvania field-work agreement. Several conference and student trip items (8.5–8.8) were also approved.

- Two-year calendars (8.3): The board approved the school calendars for the next two years.

- Committee reports (9.1–9.3): The board accepted the policy committee and operations/finance and curriculum/instruction/technology committee reports; the operations report noted the stadium renovation planning.

Most motions were approved on voice vote; the public record shows \"Aye\" and no roll-call tallies in the meeting transcript for these motions.

Ending: Board members asked for follow-up where noted (for example, final solicitor review of the CMTA contract and a future filing action related to the Inflation Reduction Act rebate).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pottsgrove School Board Meeting Feb 25th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Pottsgrove School District board approved a slate of personnel appointments, professional contracts, two-year calendars and several program and conference motions. Board members also approved a feasibility study contract and authorization for weekly bill payments.","taxTitle","Pottsgrove SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",65793,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659563,"Pottsgrove middle school students present survey favoring FID days for snow closures",190,99000,289000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2453375-4963f12a67a6f4386858a0a28313bcdd&start=99&end=289","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2453375-4963f12a67a6f4386858a0a28313bcdd/thumbnail_99000.jpg","/articles/6659563/Pennsylvania/Pottsgrove-middle-school-students-present-survey-favoring-FID-days-for-snow-closures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659563-75082e9be88801d94a84498e3129320a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770497170&Signature=oablJ2sPVdRXzvH72VeqJde4Rjxcau6OsamUZa5XSOS9jW6nEv6MKFZST4x1ugyvVN0vogYB~3TSt76VfAssAM6171GSdpipoCtrgzjMyobg0KhykNPKDYwKkWsc5R1YHUYdMQDBXM0B-xzAS~sSPTJqYWy1mPti7hy2PV8TkeBStL-IlsZnZ-J3SsozbkwdG29EqI6Co5NUpaBdHQS~-Jo3ViDPUCWrnleoY60nlmdWcs~yAdrSyywZHTxaZdA5GolGQ3sQaXadAmGg~gdvZJMhstGF1l~ix4-rVHgLbQ3pUujwIEEh1fDj-V7qh7uUIYcbAZ-8GBR4trtBsQ6LxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two seventh-grade students from Pottsgrove middle schools presented a student-conducted survey to the Pottsgrove School District board, saying a large majority of respondents preferred Flexible Instructional Days (FID) — remote learning on days that would otherwise become snow makeup days.

\"FID day is where we would have a snow day, but you would do some work so it wouldn't count as a day off and we wouldn't have to make up days,\" Pearl Cherry told the board. Natalie Halsiel said the Google Forms survey had 466 responses from Pottsgrove Middle School and showed 94.4% of students would prefer FID days; 91.8% said they would do the work.

The students suggested teachers could post assignments on Schoology, hold Zoom sessions, or prepare packets for younger students, and they noted the district provides hotspots and devices for students without home internet. Principal Eric Solchuk thanked the students and told the board they would meet further with the superintendent to discuss findings.

Board members praised the students for initiative and courage in conducting the survey and presenting the results publicly. Superintendent Doctor Finney confirmed he would meet with the students to review the survey and next steps.

Ending: The board acknowledged the survey and asked administration to continue the discussion with the students and consider student feedback as the district evaluates FID use in future calendars.","Two seventh graders told the board that a Google Forms survey of 466 middle school students found strong support for Flexible Instructional Days (FID) as an alternative to makeup snow days; board members thanked the students and noted follow-up meetings with administration.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659567,"Lower Pottsgrove students lead recess rules program after data-driven PBIS work reduces referrals",686,455000,1141000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2453375-4963f12a67a6f4386858a0a28313bcdd&start=455&end=1141","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2453375-4963f12a67a6f4386858a0a28313bcdd/thumbnail_455000.jpg","/articles/6659567/Pennsylvania/Lower-Pottsgrove-students-lead-recess-rules-program-after-data-driven-PBIS-work-reduces-referrals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659567-c862199b56c2e52d28718ca9392eb5bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770497170&Signature=Sa2ssiBDawlQ8baJyMOSPgqT3epzpiYLJklhbUN4~bydXlTCWQZUASfpQ9dy01WiuaIxgTZB1Kpu7tST2-Rsa4cX5ehCCZI5SBc~NEjcyjaZVpzbdVye4J8YrlH2oR1ikLgyqx3aUzFaWS0kFnu7qbwaRmuK3Zj5PcHWdAlJLtBDfe8NjDHadMf3SZW6Ba87Nsegt3gemZdpYz728DEG6j~rmXPJxUQisGgnTDKu13itG8XBbftrwZKEZ~cyDouwHrx9zrUEZoSKNf-Cl05VALj8AM1g9ILguF9skG1in4isrfhJ0n3Y4UlNL~YA1YkyXofyqUFd~6YroF0KgfqETQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lower Pottsgrove Elementary staff and students presented a recess leadership program to the Pottsgrove School District board, describing how the school used School-Wide Information System (SWIS) data and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) practices to reduce playground incidents.

\"We have a physical aggression problem in fourth grade at recess,\" Bridal Armstrong, PBIS coordinator at Lower Pottsgrove, said as she explained how the team drilled down from referrals-by-behavior to location and grade level. The team identified the playground as the primary location and fourth grade (and previously third grade) as a target group for interventions.

Principal Eric Solchuk and assistant principal Jesse Roth described the program: fifth-grade students were trained as recess leaders and coaches, taught schoolwide game rules and then led activity lessons with third graders. \"When our fifth graders are out there working with those third graders, we've had 0 behavior referrals,\" Roth said, citing those sessions as a key success marker.

The presenters showed SWIS charts and said the third-grade discipline referrals fell from 24 in the first half of the year to 11 by January after the leadership program and structured activities were implemented. Staff said the team uses monthly data meetings to create precise problem statements, set measurable goals, monitor implementation fidelity and adjust interventions.

Fifth-grade recess leaders reported benefits for both age groups. \"The impact of recess rules is to help teach and guide the third graders how to play safely and correctly on the playground,\" student Leila Hussain told the board, adding that the role increased the leaders' maturity and responsibility.

Board members praised the initiative as a proactive, skill-building approach that may reduce classroom carryover of conflicts from unstructured times. Staff said they plan to expand leadership opportunities to sustain gains as students move to higher grades.

Ending: The board acknowledged the program's early positive outcomes and encouraged continued data-driven expansion and monitoring to keep reducing playground incidents.","Lower Pottsgrove Elementary showcased a student-led recess leadership program that uses PBIS and data from SWIS to target playground aggression; the school reported a drop in third-grade referrals after fifth-grade leaders taught structured activities and rules.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659574,"District, contractor face criticism after clubs-bus misload, hourlong parent alarm",1326,1871000,3197000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2453375-4963f12a67a6f4386858a0a28313bcdd&start=1871&end=3197","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2453375-4963f12a67a6f4386858a0a28313bcdd/thumbnail_1871000.jpg","/articles/6659574/Pennsylvania/District-contractor-face-criticism-after-clubs-bus-misload-hourlong-parent-alarm","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659574-2f2de20291d348f3454d509f01af752e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770497170&Signature=kKcZ2XWm36m8xRpFsXuQjSMocd2R876vBfT4pHORcW9VL4hivGrIrc3pyLEdRyJSLJJ68Mw5dYmJPcnPHdADlhp-tuercwe3aOqlRBLW6-ZFGO~Dr0a7tTea27D5ZYAENUCUhvnQJDVU7dhpOYji6uK~lkQPhs1EO6HMAo0WcZY4xzAQMorxO0dEj~na83Kk1XfIggHXNmqqv84EM611~IbgHQ6fepFDFG4sSg2S4Pq3bS8ld4LTDla80KMPBhUaewEj12-jiP4~LWYa3TUeyandVtCgLoxPj9vecOL9Dl9FaNgGA76S1ZtUwOpg5dJLBiOT-5OgbY4FbTOOv4lUaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a meeting of the Pottsgrove School District Board of School Directors, Jennifer Hovey, chief operating officer of contractor CMD, described a Feb. 13 evening in which multiple errors on activity/club bus routes led to children from different runs boarding the same bus, a police stop and an hourlong delay before a number of parents were notified.

Hovey told the board that the problem began when a Ringing Rocks driver picked up students and then, at Lower Pottsgrove Elementary, allowed additional children to board whom the driver later could not match to the roster. \"The driver that was involved, really their biggest mistake was not, stopping the children from boarding at the time time that it happened,\" Hovey said. She described intermittent radio and power outages that night and said dispatchers had trouble accessing electronic manifests.

The district and CMD said they ultimately assembled four CDL drivers and two additional activity buses to sort and return students to parents after police met the bus in Landis, Sanatoga. Hovey said about a dozen students were involved when staff determined there were mismatches and began transferring children. She told the board the Lower Pottsgrove Police Department held the bus for roughly an hour until parents arrived, then allowed two children without immediate parental pickup to continue to their local stops when possible.

Board members sharply criticized the lag in notification. \"The root cause of this problem is failure to timely communicate to parents,\" Board member Jay said during the meeting, calling the hour parents waited \"wrong\" and saying the district must make parents the first priority in emergency communications.

Superintendent Doctor Finney and other board members pressed CMD and district staff on steps to speed communication. Hovey said CMD has updated internal dispatcher procedures, given dispatch staff a company phone tied to district group-text chains and issued a memo reminding drivers of roster checks and reporting protocols. She also described plans to use an upgraded scheduling and communication platform the board has approved to give parents a tracking app for buses.

Board members and parents present urged further changes. One parent and board member questioned whether the district or contractor had followed procedures for substitute drivers and asked for a concrete timeline for fixes. Hovey said CMD would continue to refine training and that the company would work with the district to produce faster parent notifications even in cases of intermittent power or radio service.

The district asked CMD to return to the board with an update on new communications procedures and implementation steps at a future meeting.

Ending: The board framed its immediate priority as guaranteeing faster, direct notification to parents when transportation incidents occur; CMD said it has implemented dispatcher-phone and texting changes and will coordinate with the district on the planned bus-tracking application.","At a Pottsgrove School District board meeting, CMD COO Jennifer Hovey reviewed a Feb. 13 incident in which students from multiple routes boarded the wrong activity bus, prompting a police response and an hourlong delay before some parents were notified. Board members urged immediate fixes to district-contractor communication with families.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Pottsgrove board approves personnel, contracts and calendar items

Pottsgrove middle school students present survey favoring FID days for snow closures

Lower Pottsgrove students lead recess rules program after data-driven PBIS work reduces referrals

District, contractor face criticism after clubs-bus misload, hourlong parent alarm