[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6344577,"mediaKeyId","2250423-8c19ed322be6b85368e8b2bc0d7314f4","parentId",2250423,"title","Board adds donations, equipment and finance items to legislative agenda; motions pass unanimously","audioSeconds",80,"startMs",3120000,"endMs",3200000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250423-8c19ed322be6b85368e8b2bc0d7314f4&start=3120&end=3200","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250423-8c19ed322be6b85368e8b2bc0d7314f4/thumbnail_3120000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6344577/Pennsylvania/Board-adds-donations-equipment-and-finance-items-to-legislative-agenda-motions-pass-unanimously","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344577-568e882f569c679b8fb05c5efe4bdfe5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773609033&Signature=SDNVMcMYSHN9LGkUOQa-d6b46fYNyG-2JCRwPg8nm6Y01~XWMfs2GCy8VmTnpD6p9OOrtA-Jt29Z~nN62WkRy7IrVghkfzfP7WEqB9PVASmBYbzj1pXNEnX2EfMKxIPNGCb0AIyHJbbMl6ZclenvSmkI9aaB9LFvAVkOOBudnLx~5r2t5RisTFdwg8iCOTPtvjMOinNQCRs-VMMXDHRFALaOLDUUVwZiX6KSBgBvPMdpu34UDI8TLrUHeYdyL9RixADifE4l18DxNnoDuEMtIJlyhEI64rILNxSJnKQ5Pa5bB1URULFPBGohC0ph7kmF~x6bjCpp7gDvF~46New1Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-07T15:01:42Z","article","The North Hills Board of Education on Feb. 6 approved motions to add several items to the March legislative meeting agenda and approved personnel items that had been discussed in executive session.

Motions and outcomes announced on the record at the committee meeting:

- Donation: The board added item 4 — a $500 donation from SSB Bank to Ross Elementary’s PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program — to the legislative meeting agenda. The motion was seconded by Dee Spade and announced as carried. (Mover: Board President; second: Dee Spade; outcome: approved.)

- Athletics donation: The board added an item accepting a donation of four Cybex weight machines from Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy Associates (OSPTA) for the middle-school weight room. Mr. Little moved the item, Dee Spade seconded it, and the motion carried. (Mover: Mr. Little; second: Dee Spade; outcome: approved.)

- Building and grounds capital item: The board added a recommendation to purchase and install four ceiling-suspended backstops and electric winches for the Dungeon Gym from National Equipment and Facility Solutions at a cost of $39,500, funded from the Capital Projects Fund. Mr. Santucci moved the item, Dee Spade seconded it, and the motion carried. The presentation noted an estimated 12–16 week lead time with installation in summer 2025. (Mover: Mr. Santucci; second: Dee Spade; outcome: approved; notes: capital fund cover; replacement over repair due to equipment age.)

- Finance items: The board added general fund, capital project fund and food service fund bills, budget transfers and January 2025 payroll totaling $3,720,857.74 to the legislative agenda, and moved to add National Life Group as a 403(b) service provider pending required information-sharing agreements. The motion was made by Mrs. Elwood, seconded by Dee Spade, and was announced as carried. (Mover: Mrs. Elwood; second: Dee Spade; outcome: approved; notes: Voya confirmed compliance agreements for information sharing.)

- Personnel: The superintendent recommended and the board approved personnel agenda items specified as items 2 through 4 (moved and seconded on the record). The board announced the motion carried.

Each motion was called and the board announced approval with the recorded verbal responses of “Aye” and the phrase “Motion carries.” No roll-call vote with individual tallies was read into the committee transcript for these motions; the record shows that each motion was seconded and announced as approved.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Committee Meeting with Action - Feb. 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the Feb. 6 committee meeting the board voted to add several items to the March legislative meeting agenda, including a $500 donation to Ross Elementary PBIS, donated weight-room equipment, replacement gym backstops, finance bills including payroll and the addition of National Life Group as a 403(b) provider; all motions carried as announced.","taxTitle","North Hills SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",38720,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6344581,"District reports 40,000 hours of facility use; rental policy review underway after audit",294,3283000,3577000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250423-8c19ed322be6b85368e8b2bc0d7314f4&start=3283&end=3577","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250423-8c19ed322be6b85368e8b2bc0d7314f4/thumbnail_3283000.jpg","/articles/6344581/Pennsylvania/District-reports-40000-hours-of-facility-use-rental-policy-review-underway-after-audit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344581-5259cb2f188c77e2995aa07ee1e482f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773609033&Signature=CdzDpfcmyzfUrGIxFt-CDWDQcdjGRXu14d1jKBDcB4-DwUdmq8ASXAiOms9GXeDFyD3vHRVpB3m8UDmjlmBjFRPMviWGgtzEUW3C5EkcepyZUGJyNbarhyY0vZTw~hUe7mGaA19hxbraPGpo2VllxuceDYkDc~~OC~UTBV4PYhAynZV-lFM7J~U3D8asM8CmtEiuoc34PsgfnImF0FK7ZBYyIOUePjfQ0~u86wG2NQeCpp5VZLVaeIX4u4ouTOsyydala1EcCEVJaSApam1sJI~2GgmuN~W4A1wO0g8rf8i25Kqe2nr5BJKn1q9yAlLuruwaXeLPUrZ7c39JU7eKlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","North Hills administrators told the board Feb. 6 that district facilities are heavily used outside school hours and that an audit identified several areas needing clearer policies and better management.

Mr. Santucci, presenting the buildings and grounds report, said the district’s facilities are used roughly 40,000 hours annually outside the normal school day, including school athletics; when district teams are excluded, non-district groups logged about 20,000 hours from 153 distinct local groups. “Of the non district group usage, about 14,000 hours, or 70%, is used by youth sports organizations,” Santucci said.

The audit categorized users into tiers: Tier 1 (school-sponsored groups and local civic organizations), Tier 2 (501(c)(3) community and regional groups and unaffiliated youth sports) and Tier 3 (individuals, dance schools and performances). The report flagged practices that raise concerns: some groups reserve space for others and charge fees for events held at district facilities; other organizations hold blanket reservations that prevent broader community access; and some groups have purchased equipment and left it on District property without notifying administration, creating potential loss and liability.

Santucci said the district has invested in outdoor fields and that custodial and supervision needs factor into rental planning. Administration described a desire to design a rental plan that protects community access while addressing the identified problems and keeping costs manageable for boosters and youth organizations. After meeting with user groups, Santucci said the administration is not ready to present a rental-fee proposal to the board and will continue discussions and analysis.

No vote was taken; board members asked clarifying questions about information flow and timing of future proposals.","An audit found high community use of district facilities and issues such as subleasing, block reservations and equipment left on-site; administration said it is not yet ready to propose rental-fee changes but is exploring a tiered rental plan.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6344586,"District presents PSSA and Keystone review showing mixed results, staff says growth is occurring",1921,682000,2603000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250423-8c19ed322be6b85368e8b2bc0d7314f4&start=682&end=2603","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250423-8c19ed322be6b85368e8b2bc0d7314f4/thumbnail_682000.jpg","/articles/6344586/Pennsylvania/District-presents-PSSA-and-Keystone-review-showing-mixed-results-staff-says-growth-is-occurring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344586-683fa1be238040ed02d11d89fd674134/orig.mp4?Expires=1773609033&Signature=X5ilWEgZmlBU~YaDOy-7zgK32nHHNZFg-TcWI3YoJ05-BFcr-mrnulVvBhYFTvFPW00fBSqLYdrY81Ra1Afpf68EDU3kDRV6cAkvHzBLhh57Fe38CiPLG5A-PGWXbl~nyJmVXzNsAVjOem9IdxqfP8B1ZEDJoTwv0VEzHCwA10wa5Nm2HPMnkrl5D2DDSID6a8wSs-hpRCJRTrSY1lPjw3mPrRbDLtZI8vqd~GN96I-z0CZ7ZOg~IM2aVL8HtA4w7t41KzBDIVqJnfX6bwi7w5AU5Rv0Cccd~RWiuumXY6la-YcN8RyCH1wF7Woe~ssKbAWM69cP~nT2pkXGiHuJnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","North Hills School District administrators reviewed the district’s 2023–24 PSSA and Keystone results at the Feb. 6 board committee meeting, stressing that while some scores slid they have seen measurable gains after targeted interventions.

Dr. Williams presented statewide context and local results, saying national trends show declines in math and reading since the pandemic and that learning loss, rising student anxiety and chronic absenteeism are contributing factors. “We know there is room for improvement. We are willing to roll up our sleeves, and we are willing to do that work,” Williams said.

Williams said elementary schools remain well above the state average and that the middle school posted gains in every tested category, including a 6.3 percentage-point increase in math. She credited consistent curriculum implementation, cross‑curricular embedding of literacy and math skills, professional development for teachers and efforts to reduce test opt-outs. Williams pointed to an improvement in middle school open-ended math responses, which she described as an important driver of overall PSSA scores.

At the high school level, Williams discussed Keystone exams and noted cohort and banking rules: Keystone scores are banked through a student’s junior year and reflect end-of-course assessments taken at different grades. She said district literature and biology scores were stronger than algebra scores for the seniors’ cohort and that the district must continue work on algebra and foundational middle-school math skills. Williams also described state changes that provide multiple Keystone pathways and said those options have, in some cases, reduced emphasis on the standardized exam itself.

Board members asked about SAT/ACT performance for students who take accelerated middle-school math; Williams said the district is above state and national norms on those measures and offers SAT prep and expanded course options, including full-year college-level statistics. Staff described a math task force assembled to review placement, prerequisites, course offerings and supports such as tutoring and professional development. No formal board action was taken; staff said they will continue data-driven interventions and monitoring.","District staff reviewed 2023–24 PSSA and Keystone results, highlighted statewide trends and local areas of growth — especially at middle school — and said the system is addressing foundational skill gaps and student resiliency.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6344590,"North Hills presents five-year Chapter 339 comprehensive guidance plan for board approval",425,225000,650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250423-8c19ed322be6b85368e8b2bc0d7314f4&start=225&end=650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250423-8c19ed322be6b85368e8b2bc0d7314f4/thumbnail_225000.jpg","/articles/6344590/Pennsylvania/North-Hills-presents-five-year-Chapter-339-comprehensive-guidance-plan-for-board-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344590-0150ef02d29912f8ea708254387209a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773609033&Signature=Vu7ru97p5fpLl77hHELpfv0m9PkBmN1pWPEWUMK7BJk5s-7kxUOdaow1IfNewRLZQ32d5fidc3OswT2NDvo~5Adkve0yqgvR5pV9tfQuudnLp8ug-nLik0A80JoTmnbx-TcErAFtbibRyPk9h2CQLB0zf0ekl0HkR3Kk7RW4myEU41MTvU8gGls0Od-aKy6fsoX2AwEDVpGocM7AhO7f~hQLWotjUiYQ19XmtTRQ5KMKMh6b3v99MfiuuXs5Hqw85O0EzR-d~sOmabU-j8XqCrIjLc~dhnvnz6~Gxj76TwemFzcx5R1Ftg71rmgmeY4O-2fmwGmPsIPCk3PHzOWBgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Hills Board of Education heard a presentation Feb. 6 on the district's Chapter 339 Comprehensive School Guidance Plan, a state-required five-year counseling plan that the district will vote on at its March legislative meeting.

District presenters Dr. Nicole Bazilla and Gina Ferrell told the board the plan outlines the counseling program’s mission, goals, curriculum and delivery system and aligns student career planning from kindergarten through 12th grade with the Pennsylvania Future Ready Index. “The 3 3 9 plan is a comprehensive school guidance plan that is required by the state of Pennsylvania for districts to submit every 5 years,” Dr. Bazilla said.

The presenters explained the plan’s components: a mission statement for school counseling, academic and career goals, a K–12 career curriculum named Smart Futures, and a requirement that each student maintain a personalized career portfolio with a specified number of artifacts at each grade band. The plan also requires an advisory council; Bazilla and Ferrell said North Hills’ council includes about 35 to 40 members drawn from local business, parents, administrators, educators, postsecondary institutions and a representative from Beatty Career Center.

Board members were told the district will present the draft guidance plan for review on March 6 and bring it back for a formal vote on March 13 so the district can submit the plan by Jan. 31 (the presenters described it as due \"the 30 first\"). No substantive policy changes from the previous plan were identified during the discussion; Bazilla said annual goals shift to reflect current needs but the overall structure remains consistent. No action was taken at the Feb. 6 meeting.

The presentation included references to the Pennsylvania Future Ready Index and to state requirements for individual student career plans. District staff emphasized that the guidance plan supports academic, social-emotional and career readiness and that implementation and annual goal-setting will be tracked through data and the advisory council.","District staff described the Chapter 339 Comprehensive School Guidance Plan required by Pennsylvania law, explained its components and timeline, and said the board will consider formal approval in March.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adds donations, equipment and finance items to legislative agenda; motions pass unanimously

District reports 40,000 hours of facility use; rental policy review underway after audit

District presents PSSA and Keystone review showing mixed results, staff says growth is occurring

North Hills presents five-year Chapter 339 comprehensive guidance plan for board approval