[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6076128,"mediaKeyId","2977118-dba9d2da7bec38a450c774b4acdb73a6","parentId",2977118,"title","Board reviews Skyward renewal, student-information RFP plans and expanded website translation capacity","audioSeconds",164,"startMs",4318000,"endMs",4482000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2977118-dba9d2da7bec38a450c774b4acdb73a6&start=4318&end=4482","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2977118-dba9d2da7bec38a450c774b4acdb73a6/thumbnail_4318000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076128/Pennsylvania/Board-reviews-Skyward-renewal-student-information-RFP-plans-and-expanded-website-translation-capacity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076128-2fb4a1d331b5e57b03ecb9d8df078150/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148606&Signature=Duz7ObfGuqAm38omDDLpKkFFA4QogjuvbaeHy9x-zaKtI-suc1soqdbTj4WO6FOt--XX9WhT5yBumxMwGP6RDf1m8qCDVAEStFZuZwgY2bcGItpf64X0YbULPfk9YtJmJaUslEuSCTj6jk2es2FleT4cmXvFBaS8-6LPNDi0db-Rd~ueQWy3CICuLEMmwBEu7G6lL5eAaIy-oFXoa4yIjXYFzCldxI-vDogymE2tbE9uwzLP4zMS-UmI-2j~FSRxCsJvsfReQGnEaadoy5i8LINZjctH8a3IipIGeongm5lPqGD1igeCu1l1r-REsf9kDWouJKgXhHeNfyDG7y3Pxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-08T13:48:59Z","article","District staff summarized technology items scheduled for the 2025–26 school year at the April 7 work session, including a Skyward annual renewal, a planned request for proposals (RFP) to evaluate student-information platforms, and a contract amendment to expand website translation capacity.

Staff told the board the current Skyward module is an on-premises product purchased in 2006 and that Skyward’s modern, web-based product (Cumulative) is the current offering for new clients. The district plans to issue an RFP within the next month or two to evaluate modern student-information systems (which could include an upgraded Skyward product or a different vendor). Staff said course-selection and scheduling would run in parallel during any transition: Skyward would be used for fall 2026 scheduling while the new system’s enrollment/scheduling tools would be phased in over subsequent months.

The board was also told of a translation-service contract add-on that would expand current coverage from five languages and 200,000 words to seven languages and 500,000 words; staff said the district will complete a study to identify which two additional languages to add and that the add-on’s contract period runs through June 30, 2028 with an extension alignment to the district’s fiscal year calendar.

Other technology items noted in the agenda included a Learning A–Z renewal for K–6 special-education students, a Hegarty subscription for literacy supports, and an NWEA quote to add MAP reading-fluency measures for grades 1–2, funded in part by grant dollars.

Ending: Staff said it will return with RFP timelines and detailed transition plans for any student-information-system change; board members asked for clarity on parallel operations and timeline impacts to scheduling and family communications.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Great Valley School District Board Meeting - April 4, 2025 at 7:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The district discussed the annual Skyward renewal and told the board it will issue an RFP to review student-information systems; the agenda also included a translation-contract add-on to increase website language capacity from five languages/200,000 words to seven languages/500,000 words.","taxTitle","Great Valley SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",55563,"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},6076130,"Board asks staff to clarify overnight-trip policy and affordability for district-sponsored clubs",227,528000,755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2977118-dba9d2da7bec38a450c774b4acdb73a6&start=528&end=755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2977118-dba9d2da7bec38a450c774b4acdb73a6/thumbnail_528000.jpg","/articles/6076130/Pennsylvania/Board-asks-staff-to-clarify-overnight-trip-policy-and-affordability-for-district-sponsored-clubs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076130-2c7972e6ef15e41aaff90b7f26d4db0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148606&Signature=Kd8qfacGEplTX-pWCv61Q1M2jpG3jgBt4FH2FzeF2AlPNfWBzSx5CSR--gZ176clcxQwiSceAkQuHDrHXX6gsUTwLgPDJAbEpEQtbq~8Zq36uUwEwNuCebdrUaRUufMbe2JRGWv5ywTUdd1acUdUNwDTMHxYdzRCeiQO9hT9TJhz2Wv~zioIM~h4kMn-OvsHcQYYb21CHMudvc90RvLfB1FGPkiqF1mixst2Siedt01Dxnc0O-ZbFwNAYA9Dg-MKci8QEIYvyAMk-EixTEWDS0tWgM3de~lyUUh~fkBSfp3FxVBUYZTY~83shw9j3UVshA9nF4BgwYpr52d2CWorsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During discussion of agenda item 3.08 on April 7, administrators described how the district currently handles overnight student trips for clubs and academic teams and agreed to return with clearer guidance for the board.

A staff presenter said the middle-school robotics trip before the board is funded through a Great Valley EDR (Extra-Duty/Estimated/EDR sponsor funding), and that it has generally been the district practice that academic clubs funded through district EDRs — for example Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) or quiz-bowl teams — travel to state and national competitions and the district supports those trips. Other clubs such as Model UN, which historically has not been funded through an EDR but has received board approval, may also seek approval; the presenter said the district has supported some legacy trips even when they were not EDR-funded.

Board members asked for clarity on three points: (1) what criteria the district uses to approve overnight trips and how EDR status factors into that decision; (2) how the district ensures affordability and access for students who cannot pay travel costs; and (3) whether the district covers substitute teachers or nurse costs when staff chaperone trips. The presenter said that substitutes and required nurse coverage are typically covered in the same way as other activities and that fundraising and the district foundation have sometimes helped students attend.

Board members expressed concern that cost could prevent student participation and asked staff to identify how many trips were legacy events versus EDR-sponsored and to propose options to improve access for students who cannot afford participation.

Ending: Staff agreed to return to the April 21 meeting with a more detailed overnight-trip approval rubric, a list of upcoming trips and clarification on funding sources and supports for low-income students.","Board members asked staff to return April 21 with clarity on how the district approves student overnight trips, the role of EDR funding, fundraising and supports for students who cannot afford trips.",{"_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},6076132,"Great Valley board opens discussion on virtual \"flexible instruction days\" as calendar concern",3486,3298000,6784000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2977118-dba9d2da7bec38a450c774b4acdb73a6&start=3298&end=6784","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2977118-dba9d2da7bec38a450c774b4acdb73a6/thumbnail_3298000.jpg","/articles/6076132/Pennsylvania/Great-Valley-board-opens-discussion-on-virtual-flexible-instruction-days-as-calendar-concern","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076132-cf1656f2214cf9a5db9f0469c60c5110/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148606&Signature=DpSB-emRPGS6iFwVU2zEOPl1iwKL8RAl3gnvDaOmtVZ2Nx99dhUrtWnckURnV~5CmF~MloPwit6pgRhjKTqtksLhvIpXF15ieKieG63iofzjOvkP-DnTYTBIjnISwLItbvJtaS1pCqI5fdPX5ijCC9tpqcdKFbkaaw9Ql8Glynfx9EHptn~A5KDMjh4NzI6sgVXAub9t3g2j7nk9qwPpj0Sdp9Kk2pCGXIevEDbpIIq6wmaMQ7wqNquGrJC0QSvHr5ndm1-VYONRj8tnJpdLBdBViEIXrBEY4PgnDgKtiKCmhYTXAtsdtseKuzQIpZlMCRew7HUTN0t46SDxhr4WxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Charice introduced a discussion at the April 7 work session about using flexible instruction days (FID) — remote instructional days the district can apply to PDE to use for inclement weather instead of making up traditional snow days at the end of the year.

Charice said FID applications must be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education by June 1, and PDE would notify districts by August 1 if approved. A district may use up to five FID days in a school year if approved. The superintendent said Great Valley is one of the few Chester County districts that does not currently use FID and that the district’s calendar already extends later into June than neighboring districts.

Board members and administrators discussed four main options: (1) apply immediately and use FID instead of some make-up days; (2) use a hybrid model that keeps two or three traditional snow days and then converts additional days to FID; (3) shorten or rework the existing calendar (for example, convert a conference day or reduce spring break) to avoid late-June makeups; or (4) keep the current practice of traditional makeup days.

Board members raised practical concerns: younger students who leave district devices at school, families without reliable home internet, students who require intensive special-education services that do not translate easily to remote instruction, and the administrative and teacher preparation required to conduct meaningful remote lessons. Several board members and parents said they want a firm latest possible last day of school for planning.

Administrators described mitigations used by other districts: targeted parent communication in advance (for example, instructing families to take devices home if a storm is forecast), model lesson plans and short synchronous check-ins during FID days, and targeted makeups or summer scheduling for students who miss specialized services.

The board asked staff to bring more detailed options and sample lesson templates back to the April 21 meeting, including analysis of where days could be trimmed (conference days, spring break adjustments) and the operational steps needed to implement FID if approved.

Ending: No vote was taken. The board asked staff to return with concrete options and implementation plans at the April 21 meeting so trustees can weigh a possible hybrid approach before the June PDE application deadline.","Board members discussed adopting flexible instruction days (virtual instruction days) or a hybrid model to avoid extending the school year too late into June. No formal action was taken; staff will return with options for the April 21 meeting.",{"_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},6076134,"New communications director outlines branding, ADA compliance, staff recognition and outreach plans",1844,2320000,4164000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2977118-dba9d2da7bec38a450c774b4acdb73a6&start=2320&end=4164","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2977118-dba9d2da7bec38a450c774b4acdb73a6/thumbnail_2320000.jpg","/articles/6076134/Pennsylvania/New-communications-director-outlines-branding-ADA-compliance-staff-recognition-and-outreach-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076134-e56ef97339d1c16a19070402f0838d8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148606&Signature=TOr~dgSR3ES6ytTZwfN6pVFpL0YQPnwkcnX7XXQOjld5XYysxffW8eRSWl13dLoNZXM98aGcTshhvhIb-6jWe8L0cHiq2nveJRuh5Ver-YlHMOLlgn8EkBHz9SR7t3iGqTKi3~95BN3AGiS3S4xweC3GAP6UXP~Xl4Kj2EudOZOPedVuiQSuZPl3PtPEdGDfs8HIZ12EeAPpsU5RSIDI93TxkQLfGFLz8I1o~vdudZunb9H-YDpE6g-65-RhV89p-OW8BUQX3G~Y2G6MW36Rw3JO1FrSavhPelfMQG6M1bYn75jnm6AYd29gRPW5fuWRNEF~LCmIj1LiYErFTeQnWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Teresa Marsden, the district’s new director of communications, presented early priorities at the April 7 work session after six to seven weeks on the job, saying her work will focus on internal communications, external outreach and compliance needs.

Marsden told the board she will develop a branding style guide covering logo use, colors (Pantone/hex/CMYK), fonts and templates, and noted that ADA accessibility requirements for public websites become mandatory in April 2027. She described ADA-related design choices (for example, sans serif fonts for readability and color-contrast requirements) as a heavy lift that should guide selection of district fonts and graphics now.

For internal communications Marsden proposed a staff newsletter, an employee recognition program (digital nominations and monthly presentations, with an emphasis on highlighting non-teaching roles), and training so staff can implement the brand guide and consistent messaging. She said the recognition program could include design work by students and suggested recognition be shared via social channels and monthly superintendent reports.

Externally, Marsden said she will prepare an annual report summarizing district performance and financial stewardship, to be compiled over the summer and published in early fall. She recommended a social-media content calendar to plan campaigns and a press-and-media calendar aligned to major initiatives such as facilities and budget items to reduce surprises and improve proactive outreach.

Board members asked about staffing and pacing; Marsden said the branding guide and ADA compliance work could take up to one to two years for full implementation, while social media and initial external items could be deployed sooner. She also outlined plans to survey families and staff in April to inform priorities.

Marsden described ParentSquare as a prospective communications platform the district is evaluating to reduce the volume and duplication of messages parents receive; she said ParentSquare offers targeted feeds so families can subscribe to the content streams most relevant to them. Board members also asked about streamlining messages and families’ ability to receive only critical updates.

Several board members emphasized crisis-communication planning and proactive roadmaps for safety and high-impact initiatives; Superintendent Charice (referenced in discussion) said district leaders are already mapping safety communications month-by-month to provide staff and families with clearer expectations.

Ending: Marsden will run a short communications survey in April to inform a prioritized rollout and will return with further proposals; the board encouraged pragmatic pacing given the small communications staff.","Teresa Marsden, Great Valley’s director of communications, summarized a multi-part plan including a district branding guide, ADA web-compliance work ahead of April 2027, an employee recognition program, an annual report and a content calendar tied to social media and press outreach.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6076135,"Great Valley board narrows preliminary millage options; staff to return April 21 with 3.75% baseline",1410,886000,2296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2977118-dba9d2da7bec38a450c774b4acdb73a6&start=886&end=2296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2977118-dba9d2da7bec38a450c774b4acdb73a6/thumbnail_886000.jpg","/articles/6076135/Pennsylvania/Great-Valley-board-narrows-preliminary-millage-options-staff-to-return-April-21-with-375-baseline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076135-d13d4267d5b2a486092e788005baff01/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148606&Signature=DhtWJAzrbQvBRMc3pSihaUNW7SsKO2IMQ8AejkCcytzoV7r4NMblmP~PY-DgsUf~0ozdL1HL-RnXuUIbS365GMSUMbx-j2KD6lbNcLDhqPJd8T41UjKuuy66UJ4zzsy4j02HbHvxrlCwQCDx4iHgE3bEvhpg3wBxXQXTxcKj3XRptaCBPwqQPCvwlIISMNO3ykTDVb5cCwZUiTGdZqtcpNlihlsFr7vklBol6acPc7cMNNe-Rll6jZ7xHL16EnBnmX~4EkJuY~-C-V367zoy08-FZ0lLGKJujsjPMITzf37B~qxrMEjN1ZBEakCa8ty2-Zxt3VBzdTnziONCYk2f-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mrs. McGibbony, who led the finance presentation, told the board at the April 7 work session that the finance committee had reviewed three preliminary tax-rate scenarios and asked the five attending board members to indicate which rate to place on the April 21 agenda for the district’s preliminary budget resolution.

The board heard that the district is considering preliminary millage increases of 3.25%, 3.5% and 4.0%. McGibbony said a 4.0% proposal would include seven of nine recommended new staff positions plus a larger contingency line; a 3.5% option would fund fewer positions and a smaller contingency; and 3.25% would fund still fewer positions but produce small year-one and year-two deficits before projected surpluses in later years.

The discussion mattered because the board must submit a preliminary rate and backup paperwork to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and post the preliminary budget for public inspection. McGibbony said the district must submit preliminary paperwork by June deadlines and that the final budget must be adopted no later than June 30, with a special board adoption meeting planned June 2.

Board members pressed staff on the consequences of each option. McGibbony provided a five-year projection showing that choosing 3.25% would create modest near-term deficits that become manageable in years three through five; by contrast, the 4.0% option would raise multi-year expenditures by roughly $3.2 million compared with the baseline. She said the nine recommended new positions, including salary and benefits, total about $948,000 and average roughly $106,000–$115,000 per position, so which positions the board approves will materially affect multi-year totals.

Board members repeatedly asked about the contingency line that had been increased in the 4.0% scenario. McGibbony explained that an additional $388,000 in contingency had been included to cover salaries and benefits for three positions in the event federal funding does not materialize. She described that federal program funding was uncertain and that contingency funds are intended to cover unknown shortfalls in federal or other revenues rather than recurring costs.

Several board members said they wanted a larger contingency because of federal funding uncertainty and the district’s recent growth; others said they worried about setting a new higher precedent for millage increases. One board member proposed 3.75% as a compromise between staffing needs and taxpayer concerns; multiple members voiced support for bringing that figure back as the working baseline for the April 21 submission while retaining the ability to lower it before final adoption.

McGibbony outlined options for closing year-one shortfalls if the board chose a lower rate: immediately eliminating planned future items, reducing contingency or transfers to capital projects, or reducing the fund-balance transfer (she noted the district used a fund-balance transfer in the current year to cover the 5–6 center). She said the district will continue to monitor state and federal developments and will refine revenue and expenditure details before the preliminary filing.

Board members emphasized that any chosen preliminary rate can be changed at subsequent board meetings prior to final adoption. McGibbony noted that the board submitted 3.5% last year and adopted 3.0% as the final rate, and that similar adjustments would be possible up to the final vote.

The board asked staff to “sharpen pencils” and return on April 21 with details reflecting a 3.75% baseline while retaining flexibility for adjustment before the final vote.

Ending: The board voiced consensus to proceed with 3.75% as the working submission for the preliminary budget filing; staff will present a refined package and the formal preliminary budget resolution for the board vote on April 21.","At an April 7 work session the Great Valley School District board and finance staff discussed preliminary budget options, a contingency for possible federal funding losses, and staffing additions. Board members signaled support for a 3.75% millage submission to the state as a starting point for the April 21 meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reviews Skyward renewal, student-information RFP plans and expanded website translation capacity

Board asks staff to clarify overnight-trip policy and affordability for district-sponsored clubs

Great Valley board opens discussion on virtual "flexible instruction days" as calendar concern

New communications director outlines branding, ADA compliance, staff recognition and outreach plans

Great Valley board narrows preliminary millage options; staff to return April 21 with 3.75% baseline