[{"_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",6575294,"mediaKeyId","3119490-e4210c92de89298b9df5be92504b5e2b","parentId",3119490,"title","Pennsbury administration outlines 'portrait of a classroom,' AI rules and device pilot as part of teaching-and-learning plan","audioSeconds",272,"startMs",3914000,"endMs",4186000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3119490-e4210c92de89298b9df5be92504b5e2b&start=3914&end=4186","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3119490-e4210c92de89298b9df5be92504b5e2b/thumbnail_3914000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6575294/Pennsylvania/Pennsbury-administration-outlines-portrait-of-a-classroom-AI-rules-and-device-pilot-as-part-of-teaching-and-learning-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575294-b030b84463ecabc32ddc5e2a182fd32e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771106658&Signature=HRxkQL1y9hSgnpY6Rlm6cB4Hgn320yhG0w~0JQzA~fl7jOXE8sJuDLURd4wfrOSVkn3-MZhIpGM1j1cv8CMs3~19qe9OAEwG-ZpQOx7HP77wHf~HRvlCAzIbHWLjOaQoYK0cHHIlOf3fU4n7TO86HaG1VTMOpUfOJ~Koo1eODyJgJbArSNBk2d31zwl9lhks2NdPqPpKQHSS6X3FV-ZwJ2GKQqg03q1ytIpBZ~U0rgpO-i0yAsbNCYv7lXl5m6IXfHMeAfZ8OFXVkW0jOjWpgcxQWcRS8XJEx15ulKJ~Gf-aeVcRAWZoi3AD6VsUIy7PBDC8XhV9buQTApgsurCXmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennsbury School District","date","2025-04-25T02:17:42.417Z","article","Pennsbury School District administrators presented a comprehensive vision for instruction and technology at the April 24 board meeting, outlining curricular priorities, classroom expectations and a set of technology pilots and policy updates meant to guide the district into next school year.

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Ritchie told the board the district is formalizing a “portrait of a classroom” to define the K–12 instructional practices the district expects to see daily, anchored in safety, engagement, inclusion, flexibility and collaboration. The framework will be used to shape professional development and support a multi-year comprehensive plan.

Reading, math and STEM priorities: Dr. Ritchie said the district conducted a focused inquiry with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit to review elementary reading programs and issued recommendations aimed at streamlining materials, aligning staffing to need and improving communication across 10 elementary schools. She said the district will continue a structured-literacy approach, explore a balanced numeracy model and expand STEM and inquiry-based learning, including robotics in elementary schools and additional STEM time at the secondary level.

\"We\u0000re doing a deep dive into our reading program,\" Dr. Ritchie said, summarizing the IU study and its recommendations for communication, materials and staffing alignment.

AI guidance and 1:1 devices: The district also described its approach to artificial intelligence. Dr. Ritchie said an AI lab made up of students, parents, community members and staff reviewed tools and boundaries for classroom and staff use; administration is revising the administrative regulation that accompanies the district\u0000s AI policy and expects it will be updated over the summer.

\"This school year we came to realize \u0000 the administrative regulation that goes along with [the AI policy] really needs to provide more guidance to both our students and our staff\u0000. It will be updated by the time this summer comes along,\" Dr. Ritchie said.

On devices, administration said Chromebook refreshes are scheduled for grades 1, 5 and 9 in the coming cycle and that the district will pilot an iPad program for first grade at three elementary schools — Manor, Falsington and Afton — to study accessibility, breakage and classroom management before making a larger procurement decision.

\"We\u0000re embarking on a pilot, an iPad pilot, with three schools for first grade,\" Dr. Ritchie said, describing professional-development plans tied to the pilot.

Schedule change for middle-school music: At the board\u0000s prior meeting some parents and board members raised concerns about middle-school access to vocal music. Administration reported that the middle-school principals and the music leadership identified a revised schedule that allows students who take both chorus and an instrumental ensemble to receive weekly rehearsals for each option. Dr. Ritchie said about 100 students across the campus would be eligible for the combined schedule and credited principals and music staff for revising staffing and space to accommodate the change.

\"When tasked with going back and really re-examining and working and crunching numbers \u0000 they found a way to do it. So kudos to the team for being able to make that work,\" she said.

Other instructional changes: The presentation listed targeted curricular changes for 2025–26 including:
- An 80-minute English language arts block in eighth grade to support Tier 1 instruction.
- Expansion of pre-AP coursework at the middle-school level and new AP and dual-enrollment opportunities at the high school, with administration noting 22 new course offerings for next year.
- Continued use of universal screening tools (MAP) in K–8 and expanded interventions and enrichment options; the district described its MTSS approach and an updated data dashboard to help teacher decision-making.
- A four-day kindergarten camp and added student-choice electives at middle school.

What this means: The package links curriculum work to the budget and staffing discussions the board considered later in the meeting. Administration said pilots, policy revisions and staffing alignment will proceed through the summer and into next school year with periodic updates to the board.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pennsbury School District Board Action Meeting - Thursday, April 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District academic leaders presented an updated teaching-and-learning plan April 24 that includes a K–12 \"portrait of a classroom,\" a revised AI administrative regulation, a three-school iPad pilot for first grade, and expanded reading, math and STEM initiatives.","taxTitle","Pennsbury SD , School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",72575,"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},6575298,"Pennsbury board votes to advertise proposed 2025–26 budget that uses $4.4 million from fund balance",5279,4645000,9924000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3119490-e4210c92de89298b9df5be92504b5e2b&start=4645&end=9924","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3119490-e4210c92de89298b9df5be92504b5e2b/thumbnail_4645000.jpg","/articles/6575298/Pennsylvania/Pennsbury-board-votes-to-advertise-proposed-202526-budget-that-uses-44-million-from-fund-balance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575298-e5f423787ec89086052673c4774e49c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771106658&Signature=SMiZc1SvkuQEL9KchSgMPHrMvtlngwegEGDvoKMFGI15ejUlKbVHWamqvRFswN5ELGQWUNshiGhmeftjHfFtpUwyPiULP2E9k7o64bBfz1ulL0XFGU0Iz2JV4nrFbiUjMlwc-K7BmmfU7b7Z5FvLOt57bUBDIvM0RRMQVETic0kcZ8kDEA0MEVzM0f6~CBrHw5YN3WOJhNGgeS~YQQ0ioW~B8eUCFp0hgPF3HhPuHAbFlvFZ90wi6EUFF0T62fQ4AWe2k-n9LxzhMItDxx-odpO25CRHQcBCVPy1nxMCHzpSqh5QNpefsf-gqJYgVCNudoYCAmUQfsnOHYF1YEYWhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pennsbury School District Board of Directors voted April 24 to advertise the proposed 2025–26 budget, a step that will allow the district to publish the plan for public review before a final adoption vote in June.

Board business and finance director Chris Burdnick told the board the proposed budget shows $260.9 million in projected revenues, $265.4 million in expenditures — a 4.5% increase over the current year — and a planned $4.4 million use of fund balance. Burdnick said the package includes a 4% Act 1 index increase and described several cost drivers, including rising special-education and debt-service expenses.

“The growth in that carryover cost is estimated at $2,100,000,” Burdnick said of charges from the Bucks County Intermediate Unit, and he warned the board against relying on fund balance long term: “I really wanna emphasize that we\u0000re not done with the budget, that we\u0000re not satisfied with taking $4,000,000 from fund balance. That\u0000s not\u0000a sustainable path.”

Why it matters: The advertised budget begins the public-comment and review period required before the June adoption vote. The plan’s revenue and spending estimates — together with the fund-balance draw — will shape the district\u0000s discussions this spring on staffing, programs and capital plans, including the district\u0000s ongoing new-high-school project and several facilities needs.

What the budget includes: Board materials and committee presentations cited these principal items:
- Revenues (proposed): $260.9 million; expenditures (proposed): $265.4 million; proposed fund-balance use: $4.4 million.
- Largest spending category: salaries and benefits (the lion\u0000s share of the general fund). Support-staff and teacher-scale increases are included; special-education costs and the district\u0000s contract with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit account for substantial growth.
- Other increases called out: debt service, specialized transportation, charter-school tuition and technology costs.
- Technology purchases on the consent agenda included a multi-year Chromebook refresh and a district iPad pilot (details in the board packet). The packet listed a Chromebook purchase and four-year protection plan “not to exceed $1,060,960” and an elementary iPad purchase and accessories “not to exceed $120,708.”

Board action and next steps: At the meeting the board approved the motion to advertise the proposed final budget for 2025–26. The vote was recorded as unanimous on the consent agenda (tally recorded by the board as 8–0). Advertising begins the statutorily required public-review period; the board staff said additional budget meetings and a final adoption vote are scheduled for May and June.

Public comment and concerns: Several members of the public used the meeting\u0000s public-comment period to voice worries about the budget and district governance.
- Robert Abrams (Lower Makefield Township) criticized projected increases and questioned how district funds are being allocated across capital projects and transportation, saying the numbers “aren\u0000t making any sense here.”
- Tim Daley (Lower Makefield) asserted the district had mishandled student privacy records and said he had initiated legal steps; his remarks were delivered as public comment and reflect his allegations.
- Jennifer Metzger (Falls Township) described what she called large unresolved fiscal challenges and urged caution on borrowing and construction plans.

The board did not respond to public accusations at length during the public-comment period; administration and board members repeatedly noted that public comment is for speakers to address the board and that staff would follow up as appropriate.

Votes at a glance: The board took two recorded consent votes that relate directly to finance and governance.
- Motion: Authorize advertisement of the proposed final general fund budget for 2025–26 (staff circulated proposed revenues/expenditures and directed advertisement). Outcome: approved (tally recorded as 8–0). Details: proposed revenues $260.9M; proposed expenditures $265.4M; fund-balance use $4.4M.
- Motion: Appoint Pennsbury voting delegates to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association delegate assembly (Joshua Waldorf, Linda Powalski and Joanna Steer). Outcome: approved (tally recorded as 8–0).

What\u0000s next: Administration said it will continue department-level reviews, finalize the capital budget and return to the finance committee in May with additional detail ahead of the June adoption vote. The board will consider public feedback received during the statutory advertisement period before taking final action.

","At its April 24 action meeting the Pennsbury School District board voted to advertise the proposed 2025–26 budget showing $260.9 million in revenues, $265.4 million in expenditures and a planned $4.4 million draw from fund balance; board members also approved a set of consent items including technology purchases and delegate appointments.","actionData","errors"]

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Pennsbury administration outlines 'portrait of a classroom,' AI rules and device pilot as part of teaching-and-learning plan

Pennsbury board votes to advertise proposed 2025–26 budget that uses $4.4 million from fund balance