The Springfield Township School District Board of School Directors on Dec. 2 accepted the district's draft audit for the year ended June 30, 2025, approved a slate of personnel and conference requests, and authorized an engagement letter with Whistler Pearlstein for investigatory legal services.

Superintendent Dr. Janneke told the board the middle school construction project is nearing completion: "We are approaching the completion of the current phase of the middle school construction project and will open the new main office and entrance, faculty lunchroom and workroom, and 1 new restroom on January 5," she said, and noted families will receive parking information on Jan. 2.

The finance committee report, presented by board member Neil DeFranco, summarized the district's draft audit and financial status. "At this time, we are anticipating unmodified opinions on all reports," DeFranco said. The audit materials presented show general fund revenues of $72,213,011 (exceeding the budget by $867,286) and expenditures of $73,436,234 (about $1,400,000 over budget), producing a net reduction in fund balance of $650,684 against a budgeted deficit of $730,000. The district reported $106,700,000 in net capital assets with $10,000,000 in additions and a lease liability of $449,000.

Board members voted to accept the draft audit as presented to the finance committee, with the understanding that the document is pending final peer review by Barbican/Barbicane Thornton and Company and will return to finance and the board if any material changes arise. Cara Green, who introduced the audit presentation to the committee, said the single federal audit produced a clean result.

On personnel matters the board approved the administration's recommendations for administrative, confidential, certified, support and temporary personnel, as well as pay for extra responsibilities and recorded resignations. The motion was adopted by voice vote.

The board also approved conference attendance requests as listed in the meeting packet.

For legal services, the board approved a letter of engagement with the law firm Whistler Pearlstein to provide investigatory services related to an ongoing matter. The engagement authorizes billing at $265 per hour for partners, $230 per hour for associates and $125 per hour for paralegals, according to the motion on the agenda. The superintendent said the district's solicitor cannot serve in that investigatory role while an investigation is active, which prompted the outside engagement.

Superintendent Janneke recognized the retirement of longtime bus driver Monte Tamburino, who has worked for the district since 2010 and served as president of STESPA. Parent and student group representatives provided routine updates on upcoming events, including the middle school's performance of Alice in Wonderland and a Jan. 9 middle school dance.

There were no public comments on agenda or non-agenda items; board leaders noted no hands were raised in person or online. The board announced tentative meeting dates in January 2026 and adjourned after brief closing remarks congratulating returning and newly elected members.

The board accepted multiple routine motions by voice vote; where the draft audit or other items require finalization, staff will return them to committee and board if material changes are identified by peer review.