[{"_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",6252506,"mediaKeyId","3188161-1ae6ee5a991228534457dacf3b39d394","parentId",3188161,"title","Resident urges board to keep policy language allowing community‑group representation at public comment","audioSeconds",122,"startMs",4978000,"endMs",5100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3188161-1ae6ee5a991228534457dacf3b39d394&start=4978&end=5100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3188161-1ae6ee5a991228534457dacf3b39d394/thumbnail_4978000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6252506/Pennsylvania/Resident-urges-board-to-keep-policy-language-allowing-communitygroup-representation-at-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6252506-c50001026a7f9687602a3dcbbe7c5d93/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970373&Signature=i1MYZhBCzLLxNgwyNCtafJZ5S98mKYQvTHTdA2zOJfjFCE~QHuYHPi3mGKIiEdibedKled1d3UrKCuO6nwGU2OhRPQFhyorEY6JqViz44J1JXQoPWe6BrzXkqgjqpD1YXZp4-1GmEzub-Ssn0w3SWi-6wCMM2prEbyYyzUvXN4OrwI3mbbBAKn3QLpkeuJRdcvSt2~aKYC4hFnID70YS1nN11gs4X-oQksaLPCAK5gtE-vgkHWHoq~i0GyhkWefTvjyI71zrDWtPXr6z1i8Vb4VC6oi8GHb96N-KKTSr4aTf-LpSZGZ0cWw55bYg5Pt6sqsuPqAGQW6ugglXC5nb1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wissahickon School District","date","2025-05-04T08:16:56.303Z","article","A member of the public told the Wissahickon School District board April 28 she was concerned about proposed edits to Policy 903, the board’s public‑comment policy, and urged the board to retain language that permits representatives of community groups to speak during public comment.

Carmita Taylor said the policy was adopted Aug. 20, 2018 and last revised May 1, 2023, and that she had previously asked the board why the sentence now proposed for removal had been retained. Taylor said removing the sentence would limit non‑traditional advocacy groups and could prevent organizations such as local NAACP chapters from speaking on behalf of families who feel their civil rights have been violated. She asked the board to explain publicly why the change had been proposed and whether the recommendations came from outside organizations such as the National School Boards Association (NSBA) or the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA).

Marshall, who presented the policy committee report earlier in the meeting, had told the board there were no informational items and that the second reading of updated policies — including 9 0 3 — would be on the agenda for approval. The board did not take action on Policy 903 during the April 28 work session; the item was noted as a second reading to return for vote on May 5.

Taylor asked whether removing the language would limit inclusion and advocacy and asked the board to explain what had changed between the last revision in 2023 and the proposed revision in 2025. The board did not take action at the work session; the matter will be considered at the next public meeting, when the policy committee’s proposed language will be before the full board for a vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 28, 2025 - Work Session Public Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment Carmita Taylor asked the board not to remove language from Policy 903 that she said allows community organizations (for example, NAACP chapters) to speak on behalf of families; she asked the board to explain why the change was proposed and to disclose outside recommendations that influenced the revision.","taxTitle","Wissahickon SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",38361,"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},6252509,"Wissahickon to seek Act 80 exception for seniors, weigh Chromebook purchases and curriculum costs",246,907000,1153000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3188161-1ae6ee5a991228534457dacf3b39d394&start=907&end=1153","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3188161-1ae6ee5a991228534457dacf3b39d394/thumbnail_907000.jpg","/articles/6252509/Pennsylvania/Wissahickon-to-seek-Act-80-exception-for-seniors-weigh-Chromebook-purchases-and-curriculum-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6252509-f5df45d5130db4f72a44fdace5a2bc8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970373&Signature=jH~e3WIUcGvk1ydBacFrfKqfGglVhA64fOIGfJybp6plb4-e1PTo298DW~HqshaOcGILhl5cbJGEapPt3D3y7XtyXwQmyUAC7F7sDUYRtvlZ1MI9C92zCzWfhnevOan3oQGqXsur~6SF0rVjocX95a1G4GmH1natSax8LE-22QP~8uWQfRhCVZZaicsYvps1NnJUvpYrGVxhOgKfO9a7fRb6oAfYNkNlvkmA~~brRbqrwfAOXsV~tohJBYAkzZcTvEPelq-nYzjFUQHTfvwpMQnsZdB5U1p-9MoEGlInqXeTLio99~TuT6i9Q7zYEiVKkCqlhSntACubq~d2EQNv6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District curriculum and technology staff briefed the board April 28 on several items the administration will present for approval at the May 5 meeting: Chromebook purchases for kindergarten through grade 2, a request for an Act 80 exception for high‑school seniors who will fall one instructional day short this year, curriculum adoptions with six‑year digital licensing, and acceptance of donations from the Whittlingen Education Opportunities Foundation (WEOFF), including a Lockheed Martin grant to support high‑school science.

Dr. Dewan, presenting the committee overview, said a pilot of tablets led the district to choose Chromebooks for K–1; the purchase would restore a shared‑device model at K–1 on a 2:1 ratio rather than the former 1:1, while grade 2 will remain at the district’s 1:1 standard. She said the procurement reflects classroom needs and cost tradeoffs identified during the pilot. The board will be asked to approve the purchase on May 5.

The administration also will request an Act 80 exception because seniors in this school year will have 179 instructional days due to a school closing on Feb. 6; the district plans to seek permission from the relevant state office to proceed. Committee members asked about how families can review curriculum materials during the 30‑day public review period; staff said materials and contact information are available on the Department of Teaching and Learning website and that building leaders are encouraged to help families access reviews.

Curriculum adoptions include both physical textbooks and digital licenses. Staff explained amounts shown in the adoption charts include costs that cover six years of digital licensing and consumable student materials; the six‑year span aligns with the district’s curriculum review cycle and helps lock in pricing. The board will also be asked to accept donations routed through WEOFF, including a roughly $20,000 Lockheed Martin grant earmarked for high‑school science equipment and other school‑level grants such as adaptive physical‑education equipment for Stony Creek and funds toward a new marching‑band trailer.","The district told the board it will request an Act 80 exception for high‑school seniors who fall one instructional day short and asked the board on May 5 to approve Chromebook purchases for K–2, multi‑year curriculum licensing and acceptance of community donations including a $20,000 Lockheed Martin grant via WEOFF.",{"_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},6252513,"Wissahickon board approves draft 2025–26 budget; administration cites inflation and special‑education costs",64,3696000,3760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3188161-1ae6ee5a991228534457dacf3b39d394&start=3696&end=3760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3188161-1ae6ee5a991228534457dacf3b39d394/thumbnail_3696000.jpg","/articles/6252513/Pennsylvania/Wissahickon-board-approves-draft-202526-budget-administration-cites-inflation-and-specialeducation-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6252513-65c8c082530e2afd295f9eaf7aa68365/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970373&Signature=oLRwfipTaGQyKMe8GBL9QpD8b5U1jPUNRzpqvcUBglNc1o-NXN-ZxByE69Tqvn6WrEJOcHa4d6i9D7qPf5O0RpBI3zvbRsSqu~6JhFPC891OMZxmVxm3XaHHri1~dFEI1YwW4UJDF2t~WKxRCRYJhAb5P2VzBG2GZnnr5gurn4t2D5EjLcbtPsZL5ixzCp3WLc-RQtFOgVI2ILKI9QEm4xsdsjX5M819HTdmFsf92V-3t-iABdOTVJnk9rHFDC9O4X-QJXrd0iS8~THzRY9s70~DuWM7gj~QOsLO0AjIHbA3sI5~dAJnH357RbDG5x3yZh7pSBUeaPhPwUrfaR8GVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wissahickon School District board voted April 28 to approve a draft budget for the 2025–26 school year and send it to the state for public posting and formal review.

Superintendent Jim told the board that rumors tying the district’s budget pressures to any single local program were incorrect. \"I can unequivocally say it's completely false that, our funding issues and challenges have anything to do with a program we may or may not have in place,\" Jim said, adding the principal drivers are inflationary costs, transportation, health benefits and higher special‑education expenses.

Board members discussed the impact of state rules on local taxing authority. The administration noted the Act 1 index for 2025–26 is set at 4 percent, a statutory cap that figures into the district’s tax‑setting calculations. Administrators also emphasized the district’s plans to avoid layoffs: staff who occupy positions being changed will, according to the administration, be reassigned to other roles where possible.

On a program level, board members discussed planned adjustments to the K‑5 PACE (special education) classrooms: next year’s model will move from an automatic two‑aide configuration in every classroom to a model with one assigned aid per classroom plus a floater in each building. Administration said the change will provide supervisory and clerical support while limiting cost growth.

A motion to approve the draft budget was made, seconded and carried at the meeting; board members voted in favor and the motion passed. The board’s action allows the district to meet state posting and submission requirements and to continue budget planning ahead of adoption.","The board voted to approve a draft 2025–26 budget to submit to the state; district officials said higher transportation, health‑care and special‑education costs — not local program decisions — are driving budget pressure.",{"_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},6252529,"Wissahickon proposes $370,000 14‑foot sound wall to bring Miller’s chiller into compliance",365,1849000,2214000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3188161-1ae6ee5a991228534457dacf3b39d394&start=1849&end=2214","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3188161-1ae6ee5a991228534457dacf3b39d394/thumbnail_1849000.jpg","/articles/6252529/Pennsylvania/Wissahickon-proposes-370000-14foot-sound-wall-to-bring-Millers-chiller-into-compliance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6252529-c762515175daf2f1b9993d7fdde892b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970373&Signature=UDOgys1hlVUV4kUiIarSrWWkJJfJFYdOF4lYxWw0SPAQmPi7QyXuJBCvJU9Yhvi7-ofOzJkOS3aSiYPzUdUj7UwlmXB9cmvkaHIThqkDM4olhMo9PkQ6D7nNgPm2t2iu2LvG8gokUVDMqQU9iutvzxRFj3sRCTscra6ggCR~wPLUgTxaEg1rxrwTXjHeuLcarSZ-Nt6QS56wC9N7XoWuyOV9GImNrH84BgovNftTZfAHjHui5w8FtWh2QxFWpWVm3zhRVpv89F0X~ZlDBVchyWQd544IfXs4X1kqfYnqIQvA0mYrVGrQux9dcF~ouolG0i99oJl1DChNC-ktJbLezQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wissahickon School District on April 28 reviewed a planned capital project to build a roughly $370,000, 14‑foot sound wall to reduce noise from a chiller serving Miller’s Middle School and bring the equipment into compliance with the Lower Gwynedd 7 p.m.–7 a.m. sound ordinance.

District facilities staff and contractors told board members the wall, combined with sound blankets already installed on the chiller, should lower measured levels enough to avoid potential fines and reduce neighbor complaints. Board Secretary Tim, speaking for facilities staff, said the acoustical consultant expects the wall to do the job: \"He feels extremely confident at at the 14 foot that this will do it.\" The project is funded from the district’s capital budget and will be considered for approval at the board’s May 5 meeting.

The matter attracted prolonged questioning from board members over cost, effectiveness and long‑term risk. Staff reported noise readings had been between 1 and 4 decibels over the ordinance during evening hours, depending on the study and timing. The district installed acoustical blankets that staff said reduce sound by about 5 to 6 decibels at night. The proposed wall is expected to reduce sound between about 5 and 10 decibels; staff said the modelling predicts the final result will put the district below the ordinance.

Board members pressed several points: why costs were higher than expected, whether tariffs and supply chain factors contributed, whether the district had explored removing an underground storage tank, and who would be liable if the wall were built to specification but sound readings remained above the ordinance. Tim told the board the underground tank constrained construction options and that removing it would create additional complications near the chiller. He said the 14‑foot wall was selected as the design most likely to meet the acoustical targets given site constraints. On liability, staff said the district would need to review contract language and the acoustician’s insurance but that if work is built to the design specifications the district could remain responsible if the ordinance is still exceeded.

The board also asked about alternatives and longevity. Staff said the chiller has an expected useful life around 25 years and estimated roughly 18 years remaining. Members asked whether replacement chillers would be quieter; staff said newer chillers can be quieter but that a full chiller replacement would be a larger capital undertaking and had been considered previously.

No formal vote was taken April 28; the facilities items, including the chiller wall contract, were placed on the May 5 consent agenda for board action. Staff said the consultant’s report is due in about 70 days and that the facilities‑condition assessment being procured separately will support long‑range capital planning.

The discussion highlighted two outstanding community questions: whether the chosen combination of blankets and wall will satisfy residents who have complained despite being within code, and whether the district can negotiate contract terms that share project risk if sound levels remain problematic after construction.","District staff told the board a 14‑foot wall and previously installed sound blankets should reduce noise from a Miller’s Middle School chiller enough to meet the Lower Gwynedd 7 p.m.–7 a.m. sound ordinance; the capital project is scheduled for a vote at the May 5 meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges board to keep policy language allowing community‑group representation at public comment

Wissahickon to seek Act 80 exception for seniors, weigh Chromebook purchases and curriculum costs

Wissahickon board approves draft 2025–26 budget; administration cites inflation and special‑education costs

Wissahickon proposes $370,000 14‑foot sound wall to bring Miller’s chiller into compliance