[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6099311,"mediaKeyId","2818946-a4e18da73503ed3f5baf13d8cfc43581","parentId",2818946,"title","Quakertown board approves concept drawings for Quakertown Elementary; members push for concurrent site work","audioSeconds",559,"startMs",6191000,"endMs",6750000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2818946-a4e18da73503ed3f5baf13d8cfc43581&start=6191&end=6750","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2818946-a4e18da73503ed3f5baf13d8cfc43581/thumbnail_6191000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099311/Pennsylvania/Quakertown-board-approves-concept-drawings-for-Quakertown-Elementary-members-push-for-concurrent-site-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099311-ebb91f5e4eae2db047021799f29c8305/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129214&Signature=OPHFTYP5vMTaMp~-mqkvzN3NXEZVy3VSnNrvuiAhz1hSYXqbYIKmaOYGEqduu7tciE6-igOOHNTyplIPZdZ-KOIlA70xwzzMTRSNIaox6kJQt56IXAfUtTmen8Ac0AV4lV99qCfjRpFivvgYWutn5mRS01rRWu5vtGZ2kGl~egqjLieOH1sz57aghmDApbIaMOAb8xo4Sk72ceQ1QIOTdFxoVCk~swL6O2GoS~Q08oqg3lP9KXT5ssYDlDZOyzFjQHiHlVMk-6kQxDuR85o0jmP2hWgUkNUl9Sc3-LhMOKjKS3C68ynd2xQthMu5QL6tnORzKwPjOlnyuVoGsGC5uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Quakertown Community School District","date","2025-03-29T21:05:08.95Z","article","The Quakertown Community School District Board of Directors on April 1 approved concept drawings from the Schrader Group for the proposed Quakertown Elementary School project and discussed running site‑development work in parallel to the design process.

Board President Hippoff opened the agenda item by calling for a motion to approve the Schrader Group proposal for concept designs for the new Quakertown Elementary School; the motion passed after discussion. Doctor Freeman reported he had spoken with Mr. Schrader and that “he was willing to do both drawings for the same price as 1,” meaning renderings showing the new building in two siting scenarios (with the existing building retained and with the existing structure removed).

Why it matters: Board members and residents asked that the district not delay site work while concept designs are generated. Board member Mister Jackson urged the district to engage Dewey (the district’s engineering consultant) to begin land‑development work “at the same time these concept drawings are being drawn up,” saying site readiness and land development include steps independent of the architectural concept and will shorten the overall timeline.

Discussion and votes: Several board members emphasized the need for additional cost detail once concepts are narrowed. Mister Kern and others asked Schrader/CHA to itemize add‑on costs that would apply if construction occurred while students remained in the existing building (for example, temporary fencing or phasing costs). Board member Mister Lyons noted the district still needed to define a timeline and suggested the facilities committee ask CHA and Schrader for a clearer schedule. The motion to approve concept drawings carried (roll call recorded; two members opposed).

Public comment: During the public‑comment period resident Alia Ritter urged the board to consider renovating Quakertown Elementary and to re‑examine existing private pre‑K contracts that, she said, occupy classroom space that could otherwise be used. Ritter also pointed to district enrollment figures and argued the long‑term need for added permanent classroom space had not been demonstrated by a steady enrollment increase.

What’s next: District officials said the facilities committee will follow up with CHA and Schrader about timeline, phasing and a request to Dewey to begin land‑development preparatory work. The board directed staff to bring draft schedules and cost‑differential estimates back to committee for review before full design decisions are finalized.

Ending: The approvals move the district into the next phase of planning for Quakertown Elementary; board members asked for clearer cost comparisons (building with students in place vs. building after demolition) and for the facilities committee to report progress at future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 27, 2025 QCSD School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Quakertown Community School District Board of Directors on April 1 approved concept drawings from the Schrader Group for Quakertown Elementary and discussed beginning land‑development work while designs are completed.","taxTitle","Quakertown Community SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",53596,"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},6099291,"Quakertown board highlights student recognitions and winter‑season athletic achievements",1862,38000,1900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2818946-a4e18da73503ed3f5baf13d8cfc43581&start=38&end=1900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2818946-a4e18da73503ed3f5baf13d8cfc43581/thumbnail_38000.jpg","/articles/6099291/Pennsylvania/Quakertown-board-highlights-student-recognitions-and-winterseason-athletic-achievements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099291-df48ca59b960762a41b37795b8132631/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129214&Signature=cl6OYIwy5fVc~Un8SRiHMPhb-UF4~KP4GMyPYFpczFoWV8-W-gLf6~nwHMHOt4n0PStr8zBzb~d1nxVAsBet4VEida~s4QC74o0v54kjakXxAodocec1Gbv~ck37eL9nlF7jsZr4iqQ1N4S4TKNsk71gNe~65N5WZO9VSTuIbP9HyaU-3WGWICN5YOOKKITsmm-jKFHEUgSX90cbknS5rjgemRCrVc99pxkEBA4fJToYkB5FZiJL5mEZxf2vWOx~PioipZJXnCrOt9XvIF3I1Z2a9flRQh8aIzCyEhWgrzEeIeBO0gV3~fwor9K-cAEvj4SjV4ICIR575YWuTunH2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Quakertown board meeting opened its public portion with multiple student recognitions and a recap of winter athletics and academic achievements.

Elementary recognitions: The district recognized one student from each primary homeroom at all five elementary schools for exemplifying the district’s Portrait of a Graduate trait “relationship builder.” Doctor Alexa Carter, Director of Elementary Education, described relationship builders as students who “treat others with empathy and respect, communicate effectively, and work well with others.” Principals and staff presented certificates and posed for photographs.

Civics assessment perfect scores: Doctor Bobser (building awards) presented certificates to students who earned perfect scores on the district’s eighth‑grade civics assessment, noting Pennsylvania Act 35 requires a civics assessment for grades 7–12 and the district chooses to recognize perfect scorers publicly.

Winter athletics recap: The athletic director presented a summary of winter sports accomplishments. Highlights included boys and girls basketball receiving the Suburban 1 League Liberty Conference Sportsmanship Award, boys and girls bowling conference championships and multiple regional qualifiers, cheerleading successes including a national bid and top‑10 finish at a national tournament in Orlando, and boys and girls wrestling state qualifiers and champions (including individual wrestlers who placed and advanced to regional/state competitions). Coaches, student athletes and assistant coaches were acknowledged by the board.

Why it matters: The recognitions and the athletics summary occupied a substantial portion of the evening and served to publicly record student accomplishments and program growth ahead of spring sports and other year‑end events.

Ending: The board thanked students, coaches, teachers and supporting staff and moved on to the business agenda.","The meeting included in‑person recognitions for elementary students named as 'relationship builders', acknowledgement of students who scored perfectly on the state civics assessment, and a summary of winter sports accomplishments including state qualifiers and champions.",{"_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},6099296,"Bucks County Intermediate Unit presents programs-and‑services budget; Quakertown share about $58,000",448,3532000,3980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2818946-a4e18da73503ed3f5baf13d8cfc43581&start=3532&end=3980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2818946-a4e18da73503ed3f5baf13d8cfc43581/thumbnail_3532000.jpg","/articles/6099296/Pennsylvania/Bucks-County-Intermediate-Unit-presents-programs-andservices-budget-Quakertown-share-about-58000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099296-5d5c232b56466d409f787dac54eaf85b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129214&Signature=KCeag~YDYPIM4NJ7G0rD0xPHjTVrb4FFxvakCG69jBkhdmEMuxuYVv426lI0oqGXyxtAdXV7z2DHfo7HcoPMUZRmfRMT8NqHd0GHrp2KAGBaCh25fTO62UI2Jk6gKNoGuQaOQ9~MB8Pz1kVglp3CZRzX-wi00c8zeyahyYNAHP~JaTNod0LcDYx60BU8IL94aa1ptwIABw47ep4mSPLrzJdUbgm8rCHk8SqoR-1YCfVn1yOdM2znt-aoRCkSiyKeljmPlGuBp5r7Y8yvSq1maLKekuoj-Gcl74t2W2jHO3QwRRN-W1vdYBhcLxbAA6dnI4yhwWQx6qXZ9khT36MfCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rachel Holler, representing the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU), presented the IU’s programs‑and‑services budget and a brief overview of services the IU provides to Quakertown Community School District.

Holler explained there are 29 intermediate units in Pennsylvania and that the Bucks IU’s programs‑and‑services budget is a small portion of its overall budget. She told the board the full Bucks IU budget is “about $2.19 million” for the programs‑and‑services portion and that Quakertown’s contribution to that programs‑and‑services slice is approximately $58,000, or about 2.7 percent of that portion; Holler said the programs‑and‑services portion itself is “a little over 1%” of the IU’s total budget. She described services the IU provides to member districts: special education supports, MTSS implementation assistance, leadership fellowships, mobile fab labs, curriculum consultation and advisory councils, and help with Pennsylvania Department of Education questions.

Board discussion: Board members asked whether Quakertown was using the IU services fully and whether any underused services could be expanded. Holler replied that districts meet each year to review needs and that Quakertown has historically taken advantage of many IU offerings, including MTSS leadership support and mobile fab‑lab residencies. Holler also outlined the IU’s annual approval process: member districts vote on the programs‑and‑services budget and the IU submits the budget to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Next steps: Holler said the IU will ask member boards for final approval of the programs‑and‑services budget at the IU board meeting on April 15 and will submit required materials to the Pennsylvania Department of Education by the end of the following month.

Ending: Board members thanked Holler and asked administration to continue to identify district needs that the IU can support; administration indicated the district will continue to work with the IU’s advisory councils and MTSS supports.","Rachel Holler of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit briefed the Quakertown board on the IU’s programs‑and‑services budget, describing the IU’s role, services used by Quakertown, and the district’s approximate $58,000 contribution to the programs‑and‑services slice of the IU budget.",{"_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},6099301,"Board OKs revised track throwing‑events plan, including $15,000 conduit allowance; item passed 7‑2",498,6777000,7275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2818946-a4e18da73503ed3f5baf13d8cfc43581&start=6777&end=7275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2818946-a4e18da73503ed3f5baf13d8cfc43581/thumbnail_6777000.jpg","/articles/6099301/Pennsylvania/Board-OKs-revised-track-throwingevents-plan-including-15000-conduit-allowance-item-passed-72","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099301-f808ce65c50eef0965fd5729c6bba74d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129214&Signature=GhTju2s56T2gR3Oti3ra8gEQghJhubmBb4BJ0thCmRWdR2x7gEgKo88R-nSyjcOxN-lBmkLm0F5Yk1ntnJSqEjtxZ9lpS7EBtEBmgoPrrJerMBGfaj2JqjbnevEB9fLeUWV6PWZ0nXbdWu1qDZAYJ7jMgGen1XzSkmCXEYMU5cJ4553oTpQT1IJC~tRWA34~ev6w12M5FBl~tS94KnViREIHkO3mrWpBBSO4kBit5iyKNmFW3yP6dixDjaAvSmtQi5bpfD-h3wsDQmgSrF8gvlhB44yZQZZJXpFe~lOPM-2MaT1N9tvYbRZdj13Xx1cYE6p5Ztttxi9T1oEFWibQgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Quakertown Community School District board approved a revised scope and contract with Skeptan Miller Sports Construction to install track throwing‑event improvements inside the high‑school track, a measure administrators said improves safety and resolves long‑standing drainage problems in the prior configuration.

What passed: The motion (agenda item 9.a) authorizes Skeptan Miller for track throwing‑event construction. The manager explained the revised layout places discus, javelin and related runways inside the track bowl after consulting with coaches and PIAA for sight‑line and safety concerns. The motion included an allowance of $15,000 for horizontal drilling (to bring power under the inside field for timing/electrical circuits) and an overall revision that increased the previously reported construction package (from roughly $174,247 to $247,025.70), an increase of about $72,778.67 cited by staff.

Debate: Board members asked for detail on what changed from earlier drawings and whether the revisions required resurfacing or added field work. Facilities staff and the district’s athletic director said the proposal did not include resurfacing the full track; it focuses on runways, pits and site work to bring throwing events into the inside-of‑track footprint and to eliminate the longtime wet conditions where some events were previously staged. Administration said the new layout reduced safety risks and addressed recurring flooding that had made retrieval of implements hazardous.

Vote: The motion to approve Skeptan Miller’s contract for the throwing‑events scope passed by roll call, seven in favor and two opposed. Two board members cited concerns about cost increases and asked that future materials show clearer cost comparisons between options that keep the existing building and those that require demolition.

Separate contract: The board later approved a separate Lifeline (monitoring/security) services contract (agenda item 9.b) by a separate vote; that item was discussed and approved on its own.

Ending: Facilities staff said they will coordinate the electrical horizontal drilling allowance and provide follow‑up information to the facilities committee; board members requested more granular cost information in subsequent committee materials.","The board approved a revised plan and contract with Skeptan Miller Sports Construction to move several throwing events inside the high‑school track; the updated package increases the previously approved amount by about $72,778 and includes a $15,000 allowance for underground electrical work to power timing equipment.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6099306,"Board approves $15,000 contract for Dr. Jerry Thompson to support grades 6–8 reading and text‑dependent analysis",495,6865000,7360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2818946-a4e18da73503ed3f5baf13d8cfc43581&start=6865&end=7360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2818946-a4e18da73503ed3f5baf13d8cfc43581/thumbnail_6865000.jpg","/articles/6099306/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-15000-contract-for-Dr-Jerry-Thompson-to-support-grades-68-reading-and-textdependent-analysis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099306-447e66ed9c69f719372b373ec10ce04b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129214&Signature=V-IZtKlHMIZQXrgeYvHwxzZMDvVv6LB3av00xQ-3deRc69ua4c5o44g29BykB-SaaO4I7Ys0PQSgVJRE1RdWqGZWpkuN3La1W7Jzsam6Yb5iWVHhJsBJ7GBefG5YUITUotBp40~bJlcFI9Z6-F~i~ooYAw2za9E31d1IyZ-iptBvVrVxuAJebZlZ4-LnOK-OErGPJYTl-fqJLZDgl1TUKhjmxdn-TT~1Tw-D~PxnA~~ZppFMZoL4Aj7QpiymMyd-8wArtcr0yqidR7U5J0EjO5D0CezPYTqxhhH5pIBjZOkMA9ZEgqrVjfW3YbtO98MoW09CmG1OFC1WDzoMCFWyVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Quakertown Community School District board voted to authorize a $15,000 consulting contract with Dr. Jerry Thompson to support curriculum development for grades six through eight and to embed text‑dependent analysis (TDA) skills across middle‑school reading classes.

Why it matters: District administrators said students have shown weaker performance on deeper analytic reading questions and that TDA coaching and curricular support are intended to strengthen skills that transfer across subjects. The consultant, according to administration, has prior experience writing the TDA items used for statewide assessments.

Discussion: Doctor Freeman and members of the education committee described immediate classroom uptake of TDA strategies after earlier professional learning sessions and said Dr. Thompson has already worked with elementary teachers. Doctor Freeman said the contract will fund consultation to improve the district’s middle‑school reading curriculum and to provide teachers with practices they can implement in class. He told the board the curriculum work will be placed in the district’s publicly available Atlas curriculum repository and that any recommended instructional resources would be brought to the board for formal review and approval.

Board members asked for clarity on scope. Mister Reimers asked why a consultant was necessary and why only grades 6–8 were included; administration replied that Dr. Thompson’s work will both help build teacher skills and supply curriculum support where the district has identified need in the middle grades. Doctor Freeman said the work is consultative and will not bypass the district’s curriculum review process.

Vote and outcome: The motion to approve the consulting agreement (agenda item 7.b) passed by voice vote.","The board approved a $15,000 consulting contract with Dr. Jerry Thompson to help develop middle‑school reading curriculum and embed text‑dependent analysis (TDA) instruction; administration said resources recommended by the consultant will be presented to the board before adoption.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Quakertown board approves concept drawings for Quakertown Elementary; members push for concurrent site work

Quakertown board highlights student recognitions and winter‑season athletic achievements

Bucks County Intermediate Unit presents programs-and‑services budget; Quakertown share about $58,000

Board OKs revised track throwing‑events plan, including $15,000 conduit allowance; item passed 7‑2

Board approves $15,000 contract for Dr. Jerry Thompson to support grades 6–8 reading and text‑dependent analysis