[{"_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",6277739,"mediaKeyId","2647357-5e8f845fe9290d9e09672933c2b413f9","parentId",2647357,"title","Delaware Valley board hears pleas to keep Office for Civil Rights protections as member says he will move to void agreement","audioSeconds",3300,"startMs",4170000,"endMs",7470000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2647357-5e8f845fe9290d9e09672933c2b413f9&start=4170&end=7470","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2647357-5e8f845fe9290d9e09672933c2b413f9/thumbnail_4170000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6277739/Pennsylvania/Delaware-Valley-board-hears-pleas-to-keep-Office-for-Civil-Rights-protections-as-member-says-he-will-move-to-void-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277739-5e43580e5f1114775f62279d57a42405/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138112&Signature=Jb6MGnUGWN1l3i-XdT1w2maXkXKHFOUO8lKZ4Jx4fsG0Ua7lCSWuHos12D~2Fai6B3jN~IDpNQWMZm0kJP4KSeXzqgWTffS-feQen-DXBbZOkBi7--dYKVjMa6WYv3MSsuyjT99T7asSbBuJOwfHcxuaq26U3doroRgLjqL7v-fHPDIWIvsZCCu8uCL0qq6V76ZX2vMh3dBxfyISGriafRrHan6snATQHvBT-SdpLkeHfhxuBrBvDWAE1OYqhYarOL1oNz6m0UyZe-8QUED5qqI665F5jXRrXq263E8NhL4HlZHaM1FicFzxn9uK645nbhGXueTBlHAr91PP~Ib8qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Delaware Valley School District","date","2025-03-14T21:00:00Z","article","Delaware Valley School District board members heard extended public comment Tuesday evening urging them to keep protections established in a 2015 Office for Civil Rights resolution as a board member read a draft motion to void that agreement.

Student speakers, local residents and nonprofit advocates told the board the OCR-related protections are essential to the safety and well-being of LGBTQ students. Taylor James, executive director of Triversity Pride Center, told the board: “Those 3 students would want to know why you hate them.” Alexander Latavore, who identified himself as a transgender man, said, “your silence right now in the face of discrimination is absolutely deafening.”

The comments followed remarks from Director Jack Fisher, who said he will introduce a motion next week that would declare the district's OCR resolution agreement (case O3141056, dated 10/22/2015) null and void and direct the superintendent to implement policies limiting female restrooms, locker rooms and similar facilities to females. Fisher read part of that motion aloud, saying in part: “it is my position ... that female bathrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities only be used by females.” He framed the change as a response to a presidential executive order dated 01/29/2025 referenced in his statement.

Why it matters: commenters said removing OCR protections would remove explicit assurances for students subject to harassment or discrimination, while supporters of pulling out of the agreement argued the board must protect privacy and safety for female students and weigh possible federal funding consequences. Several speakers also pressed for clear information about the legal risks and the potential budget impact if federal funding were withdrawn.

Details of the board discussion and next steps

Board President Christine Agron (Board director) and other directors said the district will not take immediate formal action this meeting. Agron outlined a timeline for additional public review and legal analysis: the board scheduled a public discussion on April 10 to answer community questions and said it will request further legal advice from the district's counsel and outside advisors before any final vote. A second, more formal presentation to the board was set for the May 15 public meeting to provide guidance on federal and state implications.

Several board members reiterated that existing anti-bullying and nondiscrimination policies remain in effect. Agron told speakers the district's mental-health and student-support programs are separate from the OCR agreement and would continue if the agreement status changed.

What speakers said

- Olivia Van Tassel, a senior and student journalist, described efforts to report on public remarks about the district's OCR agreement.
- Taylor James, executive director of Triversity Pride Center, said the center had been approached by three students who were afraid and sought help; he asked the board to \"protect these common sense policies.\"
- Patricia McGee, a Delaware Valley alum and resident, recounted witnessing bullying of a transgender student and urged the board to maintain protections.
- Several residents urged prompt legal review and warned of potential federal-funding consequences if the district were to withdraw from the OCR agreement.

Discussion vs. action

Discussion: The evening included extended public comment and an exchange among board members about legal risk, community safety and parental rights. Multiple speakers described personal experiences and cited studies and advocacy materials.

Direction: Board leaders directed administration to arrange a public information session on April 10 and a follow-up presentation on May 15 and to obtain legal guidance from the district solicitor and outside counsel before taking any formal vote.

Formal action: No formal vote was taken at the work session. Fisher said he would introduce a motion next week; the board did not vote on that motion during this meeting.

What remains unresolved

The board has not acted to rescind or alter the OCR resolution agreement; no binding policy change was made. Board members acknowledged uncertainty about the federal policy environment and said they will not move forward without legal counsel's guidance.

Ending

Board members asked administration to return with legal options and to structure the April 10 meeting so community members could ask questions without heated confrontation. The board's next public session on the topic is scheduled as a discussion on April 10, with a formal follow-up planned for May 15.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DVSD March 2025 Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Delaware Valley School District board members heard extended public comment Tuesday evening urging them to keep protections established in a 2015 Office for Civil Rights resolution as a board member said he will introduce a motion next week to declare the agreement void.","taxTitle","Delaware Valley SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",60569,"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},6277725,"Board previews calendar change to use unused snow days; graduation could move to June 6 if approved",123,3483000,3606000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2647357-5e8f845fe9290d9e09672933c2b413f9&start=3483&end=3606","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2647357-5e8f845fe9290d9e09672933c2b413f9/thumbnail_3483000.jpg","/articles/6277725/Pennsylvania/Board-previews-calendar-change-to-use-unused-snow-days-graduation-could-move-to-June-6-if-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277725-a70b9c93f8a6bd0686affddea17e1301/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138112&Signature=UD2rgAXZP3ALDdvLkBYdSZL0iB~ngTUa5mWpnewiCqh1dmY~3ocAucFg1NBlpeRhw~PfzxcXiHs7VvS2flkE7HEiqVVtZih~BNgHjqrQZFjdL451aenXpzwpTC9MUJttnzA29uY3IHazu3zX62cGSn3q8e473ZpstLBMmbefLvd~f3jVoMvJ5haiOuT9sf4O0A-BrP1guFna3anZ9DO3XbbVs7KSo3dB2FSdVuEscqHM~orEZCKGUNy3N3RtOWN-U5HApIGlh8KQLeRM83R-BATYd3rCzWYmJaqJ3xbAaEZjHvtSV7ywGQNgHY5vij2bQ6AgZ1R2HTMq0vW50GA3tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administrators told the board the 2024–25 school year currently includes seven unused snow days and presented a proposed adjustment to the calendar that would move graduation and end-of-year dates if the board approves next week.

Under the proposed revision, the week of June 9–13 would become designated as snow makeup days. Graduation would be moved to Saturday, June 6; June 5 would become a teacher work day and June 4 would be the final early-dismissal day for students. Administrators said the change would align the calendar more closely with last year's schedule and that if unexpected weather closures occur before the end of the year the district would add days back starting from June 5.

Why it matters: The revision is intended to provide a firm graduation date for planning while preserving the district's ability to add days if weather-related closures occur before the end of the school year.

Board process: Administrators asked the board to vote on the calendar change at the next public meeting. Members discussed the district's cautious approach to flexible instructional days and said they would provide advance notice to families to allow planning time.

Ending

The calendar revision was presented for approval next week; the board made no formal change at the work session and will take public action at the regular meeting when it appears on the agenda.","Because the district has seven unused snow days this year, administration asked the board to consider a calendar revision that would shift graduation to June 6 and make June 5 a teacher work day, with June 4 becoming a student early dismissal; the board plans to vote on a calendar change at the next public meeting.",{"_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},6277729,"Delaware Valley previews school-level and athletics budget changes; officials and equipment cited as main drivers",434,2985000,3419000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2647357-5e8f845fe9290d9e09672933c2b413f9&start=2985&end=3419","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2647357-5e8f845fe9290d9e09672933c2b413f9/thumbnail_2985000.jpg","/articles/6277729/Pennsylvania/Delaware-Valley-previews-school-level-and-athletics-budget-changes-officials-and-equipment-cited-as-main-drivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277729-4114914b0efc159e07dd7878ac0dd0a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138112&Signature=BNiZlzuDMFr1C~P~~VYbn-PctVmxWQfo8pgziy5mrA8cxwiLXRedBMUlm9zh0VzeoNnsnh9krTjUplE3K2l3M5TDoDKBmLu7li7~X-9BiGQJrbNtxMbmBkTklKlGcFZWFMSiRfnLZTUA9xCSbkZXIjSagQwrt4LBoGmpKJwZxZWQ1uDPjHrL9lsYsj2TnUFX9fhPpwSZZDkPrcly6N3H4BmJyB7ywwK8G7t2tzE5sP7dopH1Aeg9~5m0uYaG6KT6Rh6ne2sydnhKw0FeQ0uBbCuTCe401gmz5AumFKRzZkEo3mezNZHBsuO9UfKonzqlgKB6PWjlC-aQBNXelH33vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff presented building-level budget allocations and co-curricular and athletic budget changes for 2025-26, saying totals are largely driven by increased officials' fees, equipment replacements and transportation costs.

Athletics: staff said officials' pay rose by $7–$10 per official per contest, increasing costs for sports with multiple officials such as football and basketball. The district noted football regularly uses five to seven officials for contests and that several sports required added equipment or uniform replacements. The presentation also included an investment in \"guardian caps,\" a protective shell for helmets intended to reduce head-impact forces in practice situations.

School allocations and co-curricular programs

The per-student building allocations used a fixed per-student formula multiplied by projected enrollment; the presenter said the total net school allowance across seven buildings is down by $36,161 compared with the prior year and that copier allowances are down by $6,949. Staff also provided co-curricular lists for each building and said club offerings vary year to year based on student and staff interest.

Participation and transportation

Staff reported about 423 fall athletes districtwide and said spring participation is expected to be higher. Transportation costs remain a major line item; staff said the department reduced some charter use this year by consolidating trips and using school vans where appropriate.

Board questions and requests

Board members asked for a five-year history for support-staff and crowd-control costs (currently $25 per hour for scoreboard and crowd-control positions) and clarification of any upper limits on hours. Members also requested clarification of how transportation costs are calculated and asked for the number of participating students by season.

Ending

Staff will provide requested histories and participation counts and return with updated budget targets for final review before the April vote.","The district presented school allocation changes and athletics budgets showing higher officials' fees and equipment costs; boards asked for five-year histories and noted participation gains.",{"_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},6277734,"District IT budget rises for online testing, backups and device replacements",913,1776000,2689000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2647357-5e8f845fe9290d9e09672933c2b413f9&start=1776&end=2689","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2647357-5e8f845fe9290d9e09672933c2b413f9/thumbnail_1776000.jpg","/articles/6277734/Pennsylvania/District-IT-budget-rises-for-online-testing-backups-and-device-replacements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277734-96b0277611f58c9e6f07b3b49605c35e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138112&Signature=hLhQv5wsBZBgPKf~sQw5vfH9Ddu6rmaJ9Hanoo2lhXhn0SVuzzdgrK0ZRHb0Ke6mOKNf195Na3ZsUmAIbo8gm3WSDRyowfzbxyCxBVH~qgwhM-OSVJi42zYBFB7OvtfIG5j3HzR2rMDL5LAcVQgUcX93HHN0FN1l3NvyflJVemmKXMapOk7JyC50rAQ51Dv9WlQiKfOMMIfV1lcgBvoehcSw~8d9fnlGp90W0iwP9DsXI7fLdU8wVFxmIJddM4l2mrZ52oKj655q-o~OE9L3Hi6bvwPMkxxUejJGQ3DXnJRNmKn1zfgUK3YGYB52NVzXLOwdMyoCOZskBXgYz6HDhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff presented a preliminary 2025-26 technology budget that anticipates higher costs for student testing platforms, device replacements and third-party services.

The district plans to expand its PowerSchool suite to include SchoolMessenger and SafeArrival and to move emergency-closing notifications into PowerSchool, a staff presenter said. The presentation also listed new or higher recurring costs for: additional QuickBooks licensing; increased litigation-hold and e-discovery support; SysCloud backup storage for Google Drive and Microsoft accounts; mobile voice and backup internet services; and device-management licensing for iPads (Jamf).

Why it matters: Online state tests are now computer-based, staff said, and some existing Chromebooks are too old to support required test software. The IT budget proposal therefore includes Chromebook replacements and a line for new interactive classroom boards after trials showed some mounted boards were more reliable and cheaper than projectors.

Key figures and vendor notes

- Staff said the average replacement for a battery backup unit is now over $8,000, and the budget was raised to reflect likely replacements.
- The presentation included an extra $7,200 for SysCloud storage tier increase.
- Staff estimated roughly 1,000 Chromebooks in the district are near end-of-life; the proposal budgets for replacements to support online assessments (PSSAs and CDTs).
- A service the district currently uses for campus-wide mass notification will be replaced by PowerSchool in mid-2025; the interim year carries an $8,500 cost that could be one-time if the transition completes in July.

Board discussion: capital fund vs. general fund

Several board members asked whether some or all of the proposed purchases (printers, classroom boards, Chromebook replacements) could be paid from the capital fund (CapEx). One board member noted the district has “about $8 million” in capital reserves and suggested moving eligible items there; administration replied the district has a capital plan through 2026 but not for the full balance.

The IT presenter said the department has shifted some services in-house to control costs but that litigation-hold work and phishing remediation are driving an increase in billable support costs.

Ending

Board members challenged staff to find additional savings and to identify which items are one-time capital purchases versus recurring general-fund costs. Staff will return with refined numbers before the board's April budget vote.","At a work session, district staff outlined technology budget increases for the 2025-26 fiscal year to cover online testing, device replacements, backups and new software licenses; board members discussed paying some items from capital funds and asked for further cost-reduction ideas.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Delaware Valley board hears pleas to keep Office for Civil Rights protections as member says he will move to void agreement

Board previews calendar change to use unused snow days; graduation could move to June 6 if approved

Delaware Valley previews school-level and athletics budget changes; officials and equipment cited as main drivers

District IT budget rises for online testing, backups and device replacements