[{"_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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6623557,"mediaKeyId","2769640-8d724483a4a9bdeee2c760b6a8a6a48f","parentId",2769640,"title","Votes at a glance: Methacton board actions, March 25, 2025","audioSeconds",361,"startMs",10680000,"endMs",11041000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769640-8d724483a4a9bdeee2c760b6a8a6a48f&start=10680&end=11041","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769640-8d724483a4a9bdeee2c760b6a8a6a48f/thumbnail_10680000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6623557/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Methacton-board-actions-March-25-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623557-7aa24dab7b1f553857d4b2b914b6899c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770385174&Signature=Rw8PEo4qDcJdrIIanKKIE5nPvfRb9auvimXwyiQRZp3FNmPnLXX6457M-8kxohtTexHtDRqKzKPYKgdBxI8GlN0ihrL8Evwdc~bYfK0LQKiSW5GZx9NwBX46fUtAEELtRyhi-CvChqHSyjV8TEP1xftkTqEiyTK0fgQ7MhNwj8mtyF4VGzs-MP23BohUBAIiMJwYTxJYh-eWC56Yanh38R8xGLHCxfIFNqTj0ql23qxF0HYzNDrhE~3ufeEowwA3WUAW7rb8IRlbrh-MJLAepWMFJe37KEEuW6Kd0xRETgC0ODySWddzPWeyngkWfa6kukmm56KY9HWd4yJuNHTgjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Methacton School District","date","2025-03-26T03:20:25.89Z","article","This “Votes at a glance” summarizes formal motions and outcomes from the Methacton School District board meeting on March 25, 2025. Items are drawn from the public agenda and the meeting transcript.

Key votes
- CHA and Schrader Group feasibility study for Methacton High School (Agenda item 13h): Motion approved to authorize CHA and Schrader Group to provide feasibility and planning services at a cost not to exceed $161,708. Motion moved by Mister Winters, seconded by Miss Graff. Vote: 7 yes, 1 no (approved).
- Keys to Literacy / Schools Cubed professional services (Agenda item 13g): Motion approved to contract for literacy professional development for 2025–26 at $142,200, with solicitor-drafted language added to confirm travel costs are included in the stated fee. Vote: unanimous (8–0).
- Katie Photography one‑year agreement for high‑school photography (Agenda item 13e): Motion approved, amended to require extra on-site sessions at Methacton High School for students who cannot travel to the studio. Vote: unanimous (8–0).

Routine and procedural items (approved)
- Minutes (02/18/2025 special meeting/work session and February 25 regular meeting): Approved by board vote (voice vote recorded and carried). (Transcript indicated board approval; voice vote taken.)
- Fiscal items (list of bills, treasurer’s report, budgetary transfers): Approved by the board (voice vote recorded as 8–0 in the transcript).
- Personnel items (classified and supplemental appointments including personal care aides and supplemental contracts): Approved (voice vote recorded as 8–0).
- Curriculum items 11d and 11e (Methacton comprehensive plan 2025–2028; educational service agreements for named students): Approved (items were presented and the board voted to approve; recorded as carried).
- Policies: All policies presented for second read were approved by the board (voice vote recorded as carried).

Notes on contested items and next steps
- The CHA/Schrader feasibility motion generated the most debate; one board member voted no and several directors requested stronger ties between consultant options and the district’s forthcoming PFM financial projections. The board directed that any additional investigative work (detailed scans, geotech, pipe scopes) be returned for separate board approval before expenditures occur.
- The literacy contract required an explicit amendment to ensure travel costs are included in the stated total; administration and the solicitor will finalize contract language before execution.

Where to find details: All approved contracts, scopes, and supporting materials are on the district’s public agenda for March 25, 2025 and in the meeting packet; staff indicated forthcoming budget adjustments and PFM updates will be presented to the finance committee and the full board in April and May.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 25, 2025, 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting of the Board","oneSentenceSummary","A rundown of motions the Methacton School District board approved or discussed on March 25, including contract approvals for high-school feasibility services, literacy professional development and photography, plus routine fiscal, personnel and curriculum items.","taxTitle","Methacton SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",55561,"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},6623562,"Board hears budget update; approves $142,200 literacy professional development and photography contract",3686,6730000,10416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769640-8d724483a4a9bdeee2c760b6a8a6a48f&start=6730&end=10416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769640-8d724483a4a9bdeee2c760b6a8a6a48f/thumbnail_6730000.jpg","/articles/6623562/Pennsylvania/Board-hears-budget-update-approves-142200-literacy-professional-development-and-photography-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623562-b16b5a9e15e6086763dc50d809faa822/orig.mp4?Expires=1770385174&Signature=ZETIj4lCVUv9DSkJRMHS3xdwFhwq4KndtpnoFymjTjsqc02rcAkdifWpK8GIp~6xjxWFnwONLm21Wd8IlzQo2vyuneTvNnkRl5umjqZFk7AI23Pfe0bz8UGIRyHvw9x-6bLqgJWXpjSMz3QBOem2lH-V3yhDI08wlggsL~JOAMF-M367rAX8c7slPrQ7wGZeTaSIrHPeBBa-91nsQVQ5UC5faPtuDFPmg5VveR2lvmFhLketXZyqLNncxHyguttOO2HGKaS1WKTu5aTaib9Xcg5EhRJrvJG~BNW7ijw9uapfJj9Ha67BmTwbrKAamBiFutV-oBMClMMN9V6kpHutCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Methacton School District presented an updated look at the 2025–26 budget at the March 25 meeting and advanced several vendor contracts tied to curriculum and student services.

Director of Business Services Miss Steffy summarized the budget process and recent updates. The district’s proposed preliminary budget previously stood at $139,804,158 (preliminary proposed figure presented in January). Recent changes — salary/benefit adjustments, retirements and a “second look” at medical benefits — produced a February net reduction of $784,950. Current district projections presented March 25 listed total revenues at $139,953,132 and proposed expenditures at $138,564,626, leaving a variance of $1,388,506; administrators said they reduced the planned real-estate tax increase to 4.8% in response, limiting use of fund balance to $21,550 while reflecting a $681,000 special-education exception figure.

Miss Steffy and board members discussed staffing adjustments made in the pre-preliminary budget (positions reduced to reflect retirements and enrollment trends), the addition of an athletic trainer with a first-year cost of $138,000, and an updated strategy on software and curriculum purchases (including a significant investment in literacy and updates to science and world-language materials). Miss Steffy noted the district is still awaiting adjustments for North Montco Tech, workers compensation, final medical-benefit third-look numbers, charter school enrollment trends, and technology lease final figures; those items will be reflected before final adoption in late May.

On contracts, the board approved two vendor agreements connected to instruction and student services:
- Keys to Literacy/Schools Cubed: The board approved a professional-services agreement with Keys to Literacy (seller of the Schools Cubed literacy program) for the 2025–26 school year at a cost of $142,200. The motion was amended during discussion to include solicitor-drafted language making explicit that travel costs are included within the stated total fee. The vote was recorded as unanimous (8–0).
- Katie Photography: The board approved a one-year agreement with Katie Photography for high-school photography services, with a friendly amendment requiring additional on-site photo sessions at the high school for students who cannot attend studio appointments. The motion passed unanimously (8–0).

Board members pressed for more transparency about budget assumptions and asked for the PFM financial update to be shared when complete. Several directors emphasized the need to hold off on spending for specialized building investigations unless the board gives explicit direction.

Miss Steffy said the next budget milestones are an April 9 finance committee review, work session review on April 22, a proposed budget vote at the April 29 regular meeting, and final adoption at the May 27 meeting after remaining adjustments.

No related policy changes were approved at this item; these were contracting and budget process updates and approvals.","The district’s finance director outlined preliminary 2025–26 budget numbers and next steps. The board approved a Keys to Literacy professional services agreement for $142,200 after a motion amending travel-cost language, and also approved a one‑year photography contract for Methacton High School.",{"_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},6623567,"Methacton outlines districtwide mental health supports; 402 students served in targeted programs",910,4550000,5460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769640-8d724483a4a9bdeee2c760b6a8a6a48f&start=4550&end=5460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769640-8d724483a4a9bdeee2c760b6a8a6a48f/thumbnail_4550000.jpg","/articles/6623567/Pennsylvania/Methacton-outlines-districtwide-mental-health-supports-402-students-served-in-targeted-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623567-5bac88bd74b20f0162fcd5dfc8f2f40a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770385174&Signature=W6-KZfXvZuSnGOih3Bz9nCTA7u9YO7hQT3S7wljT3fUsbduA9iEGzUz59f1bUNjR2qHe3k-rD33I~Qs4RG0vnNgRhWxj3ZsIqcgu5LJ5KRalWsyAx~rSlHEIgejIVkL2bqw-ES7aBXRvwIvqJJEP4QqSuSy-EVWtZVfXrGWiUAlCzhuFoXfGhyfmy08PStTGz4KRD1xfAW0v0TGVnli2Swplmdi-BHWZlKxmj1aak-HuTl~8gAvlkEB2N1jcuCDvTevtInU6pdXbfqoVF6SmcM3PPPCi8Fz9Yfyp5GB0EKGdCtlCKu~JKUvr-9KiRznCRPRw6PgDGFIZIgDVgTUTHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Methacton School District special education leaders gave the board a data-driven update on the district’s mental health services on March 25, describing how school counselors, core teams, contract clinicians and targeted programs combine to deliver services across K–12.

Dr. Gravinese (Dr. Gravinese on the transcript), who presented the update, said the district currently has 14 school counselors, a career counselor and a climate counselor; four full‑time school psychologists on staff and contracts to supplement those services (two full‑time and six part‑time outside psychologists); and a district social worker who coordinates family and community support. She said the district has 402 students currently receiving targeted mental health services (not counting students with routine counselor contacts).

The presentation outlined the district’s layered approach: universal supports from school counselors; building-level core teams (MTSS/child-study teams) that include counselors, social workers, nurses and mental-health staff to monitor students; targeted programs such as SAP (Student Assistance Program) and a grant-funded drug-and-alcohol counselor from Lincoln Center; REACH, an intensive school-based mental-health program providing daily one-on-one and group counseling; and contracted clinicians (Central) who provide related services tied to some students’ IEPs.

Dr. Gravinese highlighted national and statewide indicators that support continued investment: a commonly cited statistic that “1 in 5 students in the U.S. experience a mental health disorder each year,” and local Pennsylvania Youth Survey findings showing persistent concerns in depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and increased exposure to explicit content online. She told the board that, extrapolating the 1-in-5 ratio to Methacton enrollment could imply around 917 students might have a mental-health disorder in a given year; the district currently provides targeted services to 402 students.

Program details presented to the board included:
- SAP: A referral-based, short-term research‑based intervention (Aldersgate is the vendor at select buildings); participation requires family consent and typically lasts weeks to months.
- REACH: A long-term, intensive mental‑health program with 24/7 clinician access and daily individual/group therapy; the district reported six REACH professionals distributed across buildings (two at the high school, two at Arcola, one at Skyview, one across elementary buildings).
- Contract clinicians: Central provides clinicians embedded in buildings (three at the high school, one at Arcola, one at Skyview, two shared at elementary levels) as related services under some students’ IEPs.

Dr. Gravinese urged the board to view school-based mental health as a cost-effective strategy: she cited research stating that every dollar invested in school‑based mental health yields $2–$10 in savings by reducing later costs (special education placements, juvenile justice, out‑of‑district treatment). She also flagged that untreated youth mental-health disorders increase risks of suspension and dropout.

Board members asked for additional breakdowns (for example, numbers for SAP referrals or drug-and-alcohol counseling), which Dr. Gravinese said she would provide in a follow-up board memo. The board did not take any vote on programming at the presentation; the session served as an informational update and planning discussion.","District special education leaders described the continuum of school-based mental health supports — counselors, SAP, REACH, contracted clinicians — and said 402 students currently receive targeted mental health services. The board heard data showing national and local trends that support expanded early intervention.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":92,"_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":74,"_75":74},6623572,"Methacton board approves $161,708 study as members debate pivot from new-build to renovation",3511,1039000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769640-8d724483a4a9bdeee2c760b6a8a6a48f&start=1039&end=4550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769640-8d724483a4a9bdeee2c760b6a8a6a48f/thumbnail_1039000.jpg","/articles/6623572/Pennsylvania/Methacton-board-approves-161708-study-as-members-debate-pivot-from-new-build-to-renovation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623572-43a1a3a227b6713d33b8dbac66fa5b1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770385174&Signature=FvfSJs9q1h6beNcDnt2saqb4jd17b~gWH43vJZrkjET5oboZSbyrpZ8E-h71dnEKL4gNBvRtJ1lazEi3lXCwMOCl-VIHUSyitAxP5lBcevJ0TdhhwsDuOKRRebK9KsCQbPsk8q2ODG3CSwGfJLbo4xZ3taZ7TdA9qkQz1ndr7pO1O~uR2MaQW5AiyGrFNKgNpvCEA9hHMY4m76DNMqhwmjbHzfNtxlsxJR~HXS8RZe9Pu1-sg7msZ4kOSp9-SpCT84RRVPwtrTDpUCvDn65F9DUjhpeT6JG5U3AF~0o5ImF7Kf1gpx10VLGPXRC0u1zDzDE0D84qsSrqR~XZJ3xxHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Methacton School District board on March 25 approved professional services agreements with CHA and the Schrader Group for a not-to-exceed $161,708 feasibility and planning study to evaluate renovation and addition options for Methacton High School.

The contract, listed on the agenda as item 13h, passed the board by voice vote, 7–1. Board members debated whether the district should continue pursuing a new high school design or “reset” toward a renovation-focused approach. The study will verify existing building conditions, establish a “base system scope” to make the building warm, dry and safe, develop concept options with cost estimates and recommend phasing and implementation timelines.

Devin, the Schrader Group presenter, told the board the work would include on-site measurements, modeling of the existing building, and confirmation of educational spaces with administration. Arif Aziel of CHA outlined the project’s emphasis on reusing existing infrastructure where possible and said the study will produce multiple concepts with assigned cost estimates. Arif said the project team plans to perform much of the initial building modeling during spring break.

Board members asked repeatedly for financial clarity before committing to a renovation track. “If we don’t know what our current financial projections are… how can we say that we are ready to pivot now to renovation without considering what that number is against what you could do with that number for a new building?” asked Board Member Cleary. Administrators and consultants said the study will produce budgeted options the board can weigh, and that the district is coordinating with its financial adviser, PFM, for financing projections.

Several directors pressed consultants on timing and investigative scope. Consultants said targeted investigations (for example, geotechnical work or detailed pipe scanning) would be useful but recommended deferring those until the board gives direction on an option set; otherwise, those specialized studies risk being unnecessary expense. “If you think you need to do those things in order to generate a cost that you’re going to come to us within September, put them in your bid,” one director said. Consultants replied they will provide budgeted line items and contingencies where possible.

Consultants also noted potential outside funding sources could remain available under a renovation approach. Arif said renovation work can still qualify for the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RCAP) and said the district’s renovation pivot “does not preclude us” from pursuing that funding.

The contract authorizes CHA (engineering) and Schrader Group (architect) to deliver: site and building verification, programming confirmation, base system scopes (HVAC, roofing, electrical, envelope, stormwater), concept designs with cost estimates, and phasing/implementation parameters. Consultants said the district will be presented with concept options and cost forecasts through the summer, with a final recommendation expected in September.

Board members requested the consultants present narrower, feasible options tied to the district’s forthcoming PFM financing analysis and asked that any additional investigative work be funded only with board approval. The motion to approve the CHA/Schrader scope was moved by Board Member Winters and seconded by Board Member Graff and carried 7–1.","The Methacton School District board approved a not-to-exceed $161,708 contract with CHA and Schrader Group to fund a feasibility study into renovating Methacton High School. Board members pressed for clearer budget projections and timelines as the district pivots away from previously pursued new-construction plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Methacton board actions, March 25, 2025

Board hears budget update; approves $142,200 literacy professional development and photography contract

Methacton outlines districtwide mental health supports; 402 students served in targeted programs

Methacton board approves $161,708 study as members debate pivot from new-build to renovation