The School District of Haverford Township Board of Directors conducted a series of routine votes at its March 20 meeting, approving disbursements, intergovernmental budgets, contracts tied to technology and facilities, personnel actions and first readings of multiple policies. A student speaker asked the board to add a salary for a full-time emotional-support counselor to the district budget.

Votes and motions at a glance

- Disbursements: The board approved disbursements for payment totaling $2,876,543.77 (item 6a). The motion passed by voice vote.

- Change orders: The board authorized the change orders recommended by owner's representative CB Development Services Incorporated (item 6b). The motion passed by voice vote; see the separate construction update article for project details.

- Charitable donation: The board accepted a donation of team uniforms from the Philadelphia Eagles for the district’s new girls flag-football team; the motion passed by voice vote (item 6c).

- Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) 2025–26 operating budget: The board approved the DCIU general operating budget and adopted the related resolution for fiscal year 2025–26 in the amount of $11,912,078, noting Haverford’s share as $111,108.92 (item 6d). The vote was taken by roll call: Miss Lee—Yes; Dr. McKay—Yes; Mr. Schwartz—Yes; Dr. Shelton—Yes; Miss Snodgrass—Yes; Miss Vitale—Yes; Miss Wiedemann—Yes; Dr. Larson—Yes; Dr. King—Yes.

- Special education intergovernmental funding and services agreement with the DCIU: The board approved the 2025–26 special education intergovernmental funding and service agreement in the amount of $592,521, pending solicitor approval (item 6e). The motion passed by voice vote.

- Delaware County vocational-technical schools budget (2025–26): The board approved the vocational schools’ budget and adopted resolution No. 56 in the amount of $18,076,609, with Haverford’s share listed as $838,724 (item 6f). The vote was taken by roll call and recorded as Yes for all members present.

- Asset disposal and equipment recycling agreements: The board approved removal of specified IT assets for sale or recycling and approved recycling agreements with Second Life Mac (Apple hardware) and STS Equipment Recycling (non-Apple hardware) (items 6g, 6h, 6i). Motions passed by voice vote. Administration described the district’s wipe process and vendor certificates for data removal.

- Crown Castle Internet services: The board approved an agreement with Crown Castle for 10 gigabits of Internet service for the district (item 6j). The annual district cost after E‑rate discount is $13,320 beginning July 1, 2025. Motion passed by voice vote.

- Turnkey Technologies network wiring: The board approved a contract with Turnkey Technologies for Category 6a network wiring at Haverford High School with a one-time district cost after E‑rate discount of $148,105.15 (item 6k). Motion passed by voice vote. District technology staff said most devices are wireless and the wiring is intended to be long‑lived.

- Tax assessment appeals settlement: The board authorized settlement and stipulation of counsel in tax-assessment appeals pending in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas and authorized officers to execute necessary documents (item 6l). Motion passed by voice vote.

Personnel and curriculum approvals

- Human resources: The board accepted retirements and resignations, approved new appointments contingent on clearances, and approved a leave request (items 7b, 7c, 7d). Motions passed by voice vote.

- Comprehensive plan: The board approved the 2025–28 comprehensive plan as presented (item 9a). Motion passed by voice vote.

- Student excursions: The board approved listed student educational excursions; trustees discussed a date discrepancy for one band trip and agreed administration will follow up (item 9b). Motion passed by voice vote.

Policy first readings

The board accepted first readings of multiple policies for future adoption after the second reading: policy 2.46 (wellness), 3.17 (disciplinary procedures, consolidation of several policies), 6.19 (district audit), 6.20 (fund balance), 8.04 (school days), and 8.16 (social media) (items 10a–10f). Trustees discussed clarifications to the wellness policy (particularly the phrasing on withholding physical activity) and requested language edits for the second reading; they also discussed social-media forum status and training for staff who manage district accounts. All policy items were advanced as first readings.

Public comment — emotional-support counselor request

Student speaker Maya Lewis, a junior at Haverford High School, spoke during public comment and asked the board to add a salary in the district budget for a full-time emotional-support counselor at the high school. Lewis said she benefits from access to an Emotional Support Room through an IEP and argued that an emotional-support counselor and a room available to all students would improve attendance and academic success. She said an Ed Foundation grant could furnish a room but not fund a salary; Lewis asked the board to consider adding salary funding in next year’s budget so the service could be available districtwide.

Why it matters: The votes authorize operating budgets, capital-related contracts and recurring services that affect district operations and spending. The student’s public comment put a personnel/budget request on the record ahead of next year’s budget process.

What’s next: Administration will bring Coopertown bid results to the board at the April 24 meeting and will process change-order and contingency reporting as needed. Policy revisions discussed at the March 20 meeting will be revised and presented for second readings at a future board meeting. The student’s request will enter budget discussions for the coming fiscal year; no formal budget action was taken at this meeting.