[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6633077,"mediaKeyId","2666065-1d08b353722c3130778094db9f8e1692","parentId",2666065,"title","Committee recommends multiple personnel hires, contract renewals and budgets; board approves athletic director in 9‑0 vote","audioSeconds",705,"startMs",570000,"endMs",1275000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2666065-1d08b353722c3130778094db9f8e1692&start=570&end=1275","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2666065-1d08b353722c3130778094db9f8e1692/thumbnail_570000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6633077/Pennsylvania/Committee-recommends-multiple-personnel-hires-contract-renewals-and-budgets-board-approves-athletic-director-in-90-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633077-ee6df28ccad962278368600953a7ffc1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178556&Signature=nZtDDMWS8JO2OAoMMHzpmgZ4ag3LAPIR9Ar8EZfvyNyqN2abgtlHeR3vn7-LIywZKgjU0uyh682VH6~3Sokv3CdjgmYBdAEIjZce0Vs~O2AtJRK56IwZ7eYLuArJk975VUspNOzgGBQFlYJkCpebbrmJt5a0MLRbPibnFHX8fN9p4C9Xuwms3GRcFK0-4DpiArhXS~Suriij2b~ADhbnLBwEQ2AYj5BBRC4Lm8lfneF9OfCwO4pGH6c1c6dMZHKVP7gl2PcOuJUVxHmJ-Skl698g10WQPXcWGx4ZKsU6cVidmx-3CBYBxJlGqwG3dpkyW~Qygrufq7CY~RIlZFcSUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Schuylkill Valley School District","date","2025-03-18T00:17:40.36Z","article","At its committee meeting, the Schuylkill Valley School District advanced multiple personnel recommendations, contract renewals and budget items and recorded a formal vote to hire an athletic director.

Hired athletic director

The committee moved and the board subsequently recorded a 9‑0 vote to approve the employment of Jason Hansen as athletic director at an annual salary of $120,000, prorated for actual days worked, effective date to be determined. Board member Cluffel moved the motion; Mr. Bendigo seconded it. The transcript records the roll call and a voice vote; the motion passed \"Nine‑zero.\" The appointment fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Stephanie Diebler.

Personnel changes and retirements

The committee considered several personnel items and recommended board approval, including retirements and resignations: Sharon Gillius (special education paraprofessional; retirement effective 04/11/2025), Susan Christman (executive secretary to the superintendent and board recording secretary; retirement effective 08/01/2025), Mark Harrell (physics and mathematics teacher; retirement effective end of 2024–25), Deborah Retsky (reading specialist; retirement effective end of 2024–25) and the resignation of David McDonaldson (director of billings and grounds; effective 03/24/2025). The committee also recommended multiple hires and long‑term substitute appointments; those personnel items were advanced by the committee for board consideration.

Contracts, renewals and purchases

- Frontier Education: The committee recommended renewal of the Frontier Education agreement for applicant tracking, absence/time tracking and professional learning management at a total cost of $38,146.96 for 07/01/2025–06/30/2026.

- PowerSchool (Schoology rollover): The committee recommended approving a PowerSchool quote for the Schoology rollover at $843.50 to prepare the learning management system for the next school year.

- ATCO Chromebook protection: The committee recommended approving a district‑paid accidental damage protection proposal from ATCO covering the district's student Chromebooks at a total annual cost of $28,350. Technology staff said the per‑device cost is $21 this year (down from $31 last year) and that the district elected not to purchase theft coverage this cycle because theft incidents have been minimal; the transcript does not record the exact number of devices covered.

- Lifetouch: The committee recommended three‑year Lifetouch service agreements for elementary, middle and high school picture services for 2025–2028.

- MEP design services: The committee recommended awarding mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering design services to Gather and Deal Incorporated for high school and middle school kitchen renovations at a cost of $10,400.

Budgets and finance items

- Bills ratification: The committee considered and recommended ratifying payments totaling $2,198,828.70 for the period 02/10/2025–03/25/2025 (general fund $2,109,685.90; capital improvement $3,738.42; cafeteria funds $67,942.59; activity funds $17,641.79).

- Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) operating budget: The committee recommended Schuylkill Valley's district share of the BCIU annual operating budget in the amount of $37,388.75 for 2025–26.

- Berks Career & Technology Center (BCTC) budget: The committee recommended the BCTC budget for 2025–26 totaling $20,223,509. Schuylkill Valley's member share was listed as $799,720 plus $51,142 for students with disabilities. A committee member noted the budget was nearly flat and commented on high health consortium costs and increased district enrollment in CTC programs.

Other routine items

- Disposal of outdated textbooks at the high school (materials dated from 1982 to 2007) was recommended for approval.

- Equipment removal: Committee recommended disposing of two Craycor hot holding units and two point‑of‑sale register cards due to age and nonworking condition.

- Senior class and student council field trips: The committee recommended approval of the 2025 senior class trip (May 29) and the high school student council field trip; board members asked for an itinerary to be supplied to the board (not distributed publicly).

- Staffing lists: A series of substitutes, volunteers, mentors, extracurricular coaches and game workers were advanced in the committee consent agenda and recommended for board approval.

Student services and practice updates

The committee also heard updates on student handbooks and code of conduct revisions for the high school, middle school and elementary school. Administrators reported they are aligning handbook language to board policy, clarifying enforceable expectations (for example, cell‑phone use and teacher discretion), adjusting dress code language for specific classes (PE, labs), and aligning grading scales (moving some buildings to a plus/minus scale). Administrators said the updates aim to make expectations consistent and enforceable across buildings; the committee did not record a final handbook adoption vote in the transcript.

Votes at a glance (items recorded in the committee transcript)

- Jason Hansen, athletic director, annual salary $120,000 prorated — Motion moved by Cluffel, seconded by Bendigo; outcome: approved, 9‑0 (recorded).

- All other listed personnel actions, contracts and budget items — Committee recommended approval; the committee advanced those items for board consideration. The transcript records committee recommendations and \"move that forward\" language but does not include final board roll‑call tallies for each consent item in the committee excerpt.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 17 2025 Schuylkill Valley SD Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its committee meeting, the Schuylkill Valley School District advanced multiple personnel recommendations, contract renewals and budget items and recorded a formal committee motion and board vote to hire Jason Hansen as athletic director.","taxTitle","Schuylkill Valley SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",46604,"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},6633081,"Schuylkill Valley committee unveils 2025–2028 comprehensive plan focused on workforce skills, belonging and technology",1286,1661000,2947000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2666065-1d08b353722c3130778094db9f8e1692&start=1661&end=2947","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2666065-1d08b353722c3130778094db9f8e1692/thumbnail_1661000.jpg","/articles/6633081/Pennsylvania/Schuylkill-Valley-committee-unveils-20252028-comprehensive-plan-focused-on-workforce-skills-belonging-and-technology","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633081-fbf73063091d4e992ad245f0977e10a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178556&Signature=Xjb6BiWCy9CInn8rF9CAtkY3tVodOsagnmfHbx5xcdm-8l4dD9XSm0EGZ0Mz-CSRqx7YeCvoJoIXe83TTg-kgvJKGFkb9ejyeeWDC6DhDcDxjfxq3A~C~LzfMldDwnQZoPmC~JLvY8vr8F9o-JyeQ6bVZSSCkWrIrIoP9JqMEY4acXsgxGVOWodPbzv8oXFRWxFcO4DEmQY~9PNtIR18iG7lJ3vtSdOXWsHgqi1i3E-p3PV-XMSA0m3c1XgTeztGVztVjHYysSyxlSAJoTXBsYcVAOjd-vzBVG5NFb9dgBp2GnD09zfEiXehH3Aa5qayw0zGZn9WMybJrgps7Mzcfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Schuylkill Valley School District administrators presented the draft Comprehensive Plan for 2025–2028 to a committee at the district's March meeting, describing a multi‑year strategy to align curriculum, professional learning and facilities planning with projected workforce needs and the district's \"portrait of a graduate.\" Doctor Tashner, who led the presentation, said the planning process included four sessions and 29 participants drawn from teachers, support staff, higher education, business and parents.

The committee presentation framed the plan around durable skills employers will demand, and the district's goals for graduates. \"We all care deeply about children, we all care about learning,\" Doctor Tashner said during the presentation. She reviewed World Economic Forum findings on in‑demand skills and said the plan's portrait of a Schuylkill Valley graduate emphasizes innovators, communicators, civic and global contributors, critical thinkers and resilient achievers.

Why it matters: The plan ties multiple district decisions — from staffing and professional learning to how secondary schools are organized — to long‑term workforce and technology trends. Committee members said the plan is intended to guide curriculum work already under way and to produce concrete recommendations on space, instruction and staff development.

Key elements presented

- Portrait of a graduate: The committee proposed that every graduate have competencies in innovation, communication, civic and global contribution, critical thinking and resilience.

- Four district priorities: 1) create a steering committee to study secondary school design and future work requirements; 2) implement a sustained, job‑embedded professional learning plan with a focus on emerging technology; 3) develop a district blueprint for belonging to improve climate and retention; and 4) align curriculum and a common system of informative and summative assessments in English/language arts, math and science.

- Employer trends and skills: Tashner summarized the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs findings, noting analytical thinking ranked at the top of employer‑preferred skills and technical and data roles among the fastest growing occupations. \"Analytical thinking was number 1,\" she said while reviewing the report's list of core skills.

- Process and participation: The comprehensive‑planning team held four sessions with 29 participants and solicited districtwide staff feedback to help craft the portrait of a graduate. The presenters emphasized the inclusion of support staff, custodians, paraprofessionals, higher‑education partners and community business representatives.

What the committee recommended and next steps

The presenters recommended forming the steering committee and beginning implementation planning for the four priorities, including a professional learning blueprint and steps to create common assessments tied to recently revised curriculum. Doctor Tashner said participants were eager to begin committee work and return recommendations to the board. Committee members responded positively during discussion and thanked participants for their time. The transcript records the committee discussion and a recommendation to consider adoption; a formal board adoption vote was not recorded in the committee transcript.

Background and context

Presenters referenced the district's recent curriculum work (K–10 language arts largely complete; K–12 social studies updated) and noted an increased use of dual enrollment, career and technical programming, and partnerships such as Tower Health clinical placements and Cisco labs. The presentation stressed that schools may need to change schedules and designs so students can access internships, CTC programs and industry‑aligned learning experiences.

The committee said the recommended steering committee will produce implementation steps and survey staff iteratively as the district tests and refines initiatives.

The committee's presentation and discussion will be part of the board record as the district moves toward formal consideration of the Comprehensive Plan.","Schuylkill Valley School District administrators presented the draft Comprehensive Plan for 2025–2028 to a committee at the district's March meeting, describing a multi‑year strategy to align curriculum, professional learning and facilities planning with projected workforce needs and the district's \"portrait of a graduate.\"","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee recommends multiple personnel hires, contract renewals and budgets; board approves athletic director in 9‑0 vote

Schuylkill Valley committee unveils 2025–2028 comprehensive plan focused on workforce skills, belonging and technology