[{"_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",6562482,"mediaKeyId","3275488-b1809736903502960cb435439202e261","parentId",3275488,"title","Perkiomen Valley board approves new social‑worker and teacher‑on‑special‑assignment roles, votes to suspend 0.5 art position over low enrollment","audioSeconds",149,"startMs",7221000,"endMs",7370000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275488-b1809736903502960cb435439202e261&start=7221&end=7370","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275488-b1809736903502960cb435439202e261/thumbnail_7221000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6562482/Pennsylvania/Perkiomen-Valley-board-approves-new-socialworker-and-teacheronspecialassignment-roles-votes-to-suspend-05-art-position-over-low-enrollment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562482-d3bb28909351773bdfbe67e3f3b8e7a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1774857012&Signature=TgO57rzG76C2cODZhyqUc~nP45afvg3~BvQ8bP2Y~Mr3DSC3S5Rcymbkcd4yG-Vcz-nadiaCaZgyjuYbDxYCfxHDg3xIZflXu1JUUvtfyrXSl2D0z9tATb-BjfcRDDsIWB2aN6pC3zdHAEC~blxSyIj5GVmUxrczSm9YIuwYlOYLJoTYt3clnzsGMpnGCFHeBYs30E9dcKRhJn1ofzKvVe3ifOoxxYKzMK1e-vAytzvMV5LzxXRBiZj0ai9YQfQ9~MU~~JU75JMgnZkioHsxEX1ZGxQmrzE5guZnIOiuSOTSgFyDslMGhUdbJGOVtaTg-lra7gR8vXTQj9geQ~2LUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Perkiomen Valley School District","date","2025-05-13T12:11:17Z","article","The Perkiomen Valley School District Board on May 20 approved personnel items including creation of a licensed social‑worker position and a teacher on special assignment to support arts programs, and it voted to adopt a resolution altering the high‑school art program that will suspend a 0.5 art teaching position because of substantially declined enrollment.

Doctor Sadler presented the personnel slate. The board approved the creation of a licensed social‑worker position (agenda item 7.06) and, separately, the creation of a teacher on special assignment position (agenda item 7.07) by voice vote. Public comment earlier in the meeting had specifically urged support for an arts‑focused teacher on special assignment; resident Corey Holst praised full‑day kindergarten and called the teacher‑on‑special‑assignment role a ‘‘smart investment’’ to coordinate arts programming across the district.

The most contested personnel action was item 7.1, a board resolution to alter the program and suspend a 0.5 art teacher at the high school because of reduced course enrollment. Superintendent and staff explained the action is a suspension under the School Code termed an ‘‘alteration of program’’ that is used when a district reduces staff for reasons such as a substantial decline in course enrollment. Staff said the affected educator would be suspended (furloughed) but placed on recall should a qualifying position reopen.

Board members questioned whether other options had been explored and whether the teacher had been informed; staff said the teacher had been notified and the district’s practice is to meet with employees before public votes. The resolution passed on voice vote; Board member Mister Sailor recorded a dissenting vote during the voice roll, and the record shows he voted against the suspension. No other individual roll‑call nays were recorded in the public portion of the meeting.

The board did not disclose the teacher’s name in public session. Staff noted the teacher’s certification area is specialized to art, and the reduction was described as a 0.5 position (part‑time load). The suspended staff member remains eligible for recall if a vacancy arises in the art program. The district will follow statute‑required procedures for a suspension due to alteration of program.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5/12/2025 PVSD Policy Committee Meeting and Board Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved creation of a licensed social‑worker position and a teacher on special assignment (arts support). It also approved a resolution to alter the art program and suspend a 0.5 art teacher due to a substantial decline in course enrollment; one board member voted against that suspension.","taxTitle","Perkiomen Valley SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",78390,"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},6562486,"Perkiomen Valley board approves new vendors for stage lighting and audio systems after rescinding prior award",1052,6348000,7400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275488-b1809736903502960cb435439202e261&start=6348&end=7400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275488-b1809736903502960cb435439202e261/thumbnail_6348000.jpg","/articles/6562486/Pennsylvania/Perkiomen-Valley-board-approves-new-vendors-for-stage-lighting-and-audio-systems-after-rescinding-prior-award","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562486-35714805827b845580d4be0ffb44257f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774857012&Signature=YKR0fd3mobSxo72r7isCZjOlaOdDPX0TYtrkPspgFkBiEPL8n6I4k3UzR0L5pcQo2qCiIowucRs-lHcpDh7dQlljmlD86Y-vFXi449Y6w6HG1y7~DDf0Ws2ijUdeQ8SD9g9DykwnMpGbBjRmlzURx0iDKZjzOWKcfHyTy9Nuc25fon5PmmWU8O3-gNgNmMjyvQp5AkwWxCqzKm5Q7QN7-xTaW~Q5haQrqjRTTWuCtbF16Nj1Jz7xt3K-cPoQLNTz5eB~YDxcxGYWqcrgXzBUIucCZvtnpIcWP57MQhmrVzKAmoRIlBae9jKud7GfYmZdEVt~08gDxYkTQbVqu6k9LQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Perkiomen Valley School District Board on May 20 rescinded an earlier approval for phase‑2/3 stage upgrades and approved new vendor contracts for lighting and audio work at several schools after staff reworked the project scope and solicited bids on a unified specification.

At the start of the business meeting, the board voted to rescind the earlier February approval related to phases 2 and 3 of the stage and auditorium project. The rescind motion passed on a voice vote (motion rescinded). The board then considered paired motions to approve a vendor for phase‑2/3 stage lighting and to approve a vendor for audio systems at Middle School East and West.

Facilities staff explained they had revised the scope after the February proposal (which the staff said had been roughly $904,000 under the previous scope) to add additional fixtures and updated specifications. The revised spec sheet was distributed to multiple bidders, giving the original vendor the opportunity to rebid on the new scope, staff said. Facilities lead Mister Ganesh stated the procurement sought comparable fixtures and models so that the new installations could interoperate with the components already installed in phase 1.

Board members asked about warranties and long‑term serviceability when two vendors had performed different project phases. ‘‘The phase‑1 fixtures and modules will still be serviced by the phase‑1 vendor,’’ Ganesh said. ‘‘Phase‑2 and phase‑3 fixtures will be serviced by the newly awarded vendors. I do not anticipate any issues with them working together.’’ He and other staff said phase 1 was essentially complete, with one outstanding punch item to be resolved.

The board approved the stage‑lighting vendor motion and then separately approved the audio‑system vendor motion; both motions passed on voice vote with no roll‑call nays recorded during the public portion of the meeting. Board members thanked staff for the detailed re‑spec and bid process and asked that outstanding phase‑1 items be closed out as part of project close‑out.

The meeting also included two confidential settlement items approved by motion; the board approved those motions in closed vote as listed on the agenda (motions passed).","The board rescinded a prior vendor approval and authorized new contracts for stage lighting and audio systems at district middle and high schools; staff said the revised scope and specs were bid to multiple vendors and the newer proposals were judged best value.",{"_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},6562488,"Nurses ask board to clarify law on new NEFE nasal‑spray epinephrine: district to house supplies in nurse suites until legislation changes",957,3593000,4550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275488-b1809736903502960cb435439202e261&start=3593&end=4550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275488-b1809736903502960cb435439202e261/thumbnail_3593000.jpg","/articles/6562488/Pennsylvania/Nurses-ask-board-to-clarify-law-on-new-NEFE-nasalspray-epinephrine-district-to-house-supplies-in-nurse-suites-until-legislation-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562488-0270bb66c9db356f817e0481f9016c8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1774857012&Signature=GNLCvWruaBPAqR8~ZKjqpMINB-9h6IPe45iJNe3eO83oJRSKzBH3-pw8C-cIkfmxcBknOB-vScDsf0LOB4xnn8WYfgjeQp~FTLbMk7z2-k6ht5EGSO5fUIRPdCixFqGVdSWzaTzrsfru4kZfZPToy2Zfx3d8APuD5dNKdHclfrKj4yNSb2jX2pSCq08Ea5IXCcrYx-vnHxSHzknNCvSoPi3v7W7RkX46pRA1CKkBV-KXIaFjiupWxmcDyM1kVxIAQrBJfPwJ3OGKlQ2b5G4gGTTnKRTD1NE~CSR8CnjqwmeHJbPaZbFB1xwgCcey-5cxtGw5Q9zke-0aw4grR3PUPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Perkiomen Valley School District nurses asked the board on May 20 for explicit policy language clarifying that recent nasal‑spray epinephrine products (referred to in the meeting as NEFE) are not permitted to be carried and self‑administered by students under current Pennsylvania law, and should instead be kept in school health suites with administration by a nurse or other trained personnel.

Kristen Keibney, the district’s nursing department chair, told the committee that state law currently allows students to self‑carry and self‑administer epinephrine auto‑injectors, asthma rescue inhalers and diabetic supplies, but the new nasal device — which became available in 2024 — is not explicitly covered by the existing statutory language. “The law does not allow it right now until the wording is changed in the legislation,” Kiebney said, explaining that nurses can keep NEFE in their offices for a child with a physician’s order but cannot permit the student to carry or self‑administer it.

Superintendent Doctor Russell and the nurses said the nurses are seeking a brief, clear statement the nurses can show parents and providers when questions arise: that NEFE is a nasal spray, not an auto‑injector, and that under current Pennsylvania law NEFE may not be self‑carried by students. The district’s administrative regulation drafted for the committee makes that point explicitly in the last paragraph, and nurses asked that the AR be included with future meeting materials so they can use it when explaining the district’s position.

Nurses also reported active advocacy in Harrisburg; members of the Pennsylvania school‑nursing community met with legislators to request statutory language changes that would allow self‑carry of nasal epinephrine for appropriately trained and responsible students. “Until the language is changed to change it to an epinephrine device and remove that auto injector, we’re tied,” Kiebney said. The board asked staff to add language in the policy/administrative regulation clarifying current practice — specifically that NEFE is not an auto‑injector and may not be self‑carried — and to include citations or a link to the relevant state statute for use with parents and providers.

No vote was taken to change district policy at the meeting; staff said the administrative regulation would be circulated to committee members and added to next month’s packet for formal consideration.","School nurses told the Perkiomen Valley board that Pennsylvania law currently permits students to self‑carry epinephrine auto‑injectors but not the new NEFE nasal formulation; district administrative regulations will state NEFE must be housed in the nurse's office and administered by trained staff until state law is amended.",{"_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},6562490,"Perkiomen Valley board holds updates to employee conduct, outside-activity and speech policies; asks for clearer definitions",1277,533000,1810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275488-b1809736903502960cb435439202e261&start=533&end=1810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275488-b1809736903502960cb435439202e261/thumbnail_533000.jpg","/articles/6562490/Pennsylvania/Perkiomen-Valley-board-holds-updates-to-employee-conduct-outside-activity-and-speech-policies-asks-for-clearer-definitions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562490-060eb0168bb0a20080cdbaa2e4a9d8a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1774857012&Signature=QNAXblrwhUvJPRuzfUsBU4Otn9tg9R0jWxSCakpoCJlhfRHoQhZs~phBBcdk52Sz6i1p0tENRFq1OEgE3I2~TJnsSndM8HjmKccDEX05XxrtUQVpmH2LtVZXmy6FXwqp~D9IfGvAcfAi2KDX0A3Al156TQlhZ9sFB8qKxsKhiujmNaeeIzEl5AASuYL-G6WdYHMYZt4Hf2EZLHz~KZzhjTTbVE3CUrrD22EujDQ2WIM3ipyOIwL5iFz3sycAnYB2jA0xB-8PWizuFXis5TeWC0pc0yl~OUpq06QEQEmBPJWbXqUaGrsAvgoCSr2zzn~Bgm9Tzc1Z8XvGh8G4wol46Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Perkiomen Valley School District Board of School Directors on May 20 reviewed multiple proposed updates to personnel policies — including conduct and disciplinary procedures, outside activities, and employee freedom of speech — and asked staff to return with clearer definitions and solicitor guidance before advancing the changes.

The board's policy presenter, identified in the meeting as Mister Moran, outlined edits to Policy 317 (conduct/disciplinary procedures) to align language with PSBA guidance and to underscore that disciplinary action should follow a determination whether employee conduct has a direct nexus to or interferes with school operations. Moran also highlighted updated references to the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s revised Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators.

Board members pressed for clearer, district‑level guidance for staff. “I thought that could be defined for all employees just, more clearly upfront so they so everybody understands what that means in our training,” said Mister Saylor, a board member, asking specifically for examples of what would constitute a ‘‘direct nexus.’’ Moran agreed to add examples to the staff handbook and consider an annual review with staff.

The board also reviewed proposed language for Policy 319 on outside activities. Discussion centered on how the district should treat employees who operate private businesses and whether classroom signage, shirts or other displays would be considered promotion or solicitation. The solicitor in the meeting, Mister Keenan, said promotion and solicitation are broad terms and could cover similar behavior; board members asked staff to draft clearer definitions for terms such as “promote,” “solicit” and “advertise,” and to consider acceptable exceptions such as modest or incidental references.

Policy 320 (freedom of speech by employees) prompted the sharpest debate. Moran said the district was recommending PSBA’s updated policy text, which recognizes employee free‑speech rights while noting speech that “may impact efficiency or constitute a reasonable likelihood of disruption” can be subject to review. Several board members worried the language was broad enough to chill protected speech. “This new restriction … somebody could be brought into review or told to take their own speech if their speech impairs discipline by superiors or harmony among coworkers,” said one board member, who later warned the draft could implicate constitutional concerns. Moran proposed returning the draft with specific examples and solicitor input to clarify what kinds of speech would be actionable.

Board members agreed to hold policies 319, 320 and the related item (listed in the agenda as 3.21) for revision. For other routine personnel policies on gifts, personnel files, compensation determination, overtime and professional development, the committee moved them forward unchanged or noted no recommended edits at this time. On professional development (Policy 333), Moran said the topic interacts with collective bargaining and noted staff would raise related ideas in next year’s negotiations to address requests for more collaboration time.

The board asked staff to (1) insert clearer definitions of ‘‘direct nexus’’ and ‘‘promote/solicit/advertise’’ into policy or handbooks; (2) confirm links and easy access to the Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators on the district HR or policy web pages; and (3) provide specific examples for the solicitor to review before the next committee meeting.

Board President Miss White and Superintendent Doctor Russell both participated in the discussion; no formal votes on these specific policy revisions were taken because several items were held for redraft.

The board is expected to receive revised policy language, including solicitor annotations and sample scenarios, at a future meeting before any first or second reading votes.","The Perkiomen Valley School District Board reviewed proposed updates to personnel policies on employee conduct, outside activities and freedom of speech, asked staff for clearer definitions and referred some items back for legal review and redrafting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Perkiomen Valley board approves new social‑worker and teacher‑on‑special‑assignment roles, votes to suspend 0.5 art position over low enrollment

Perkiomen Valley board approves new vendors for stage lighting and audio systems after rescinding prior award

Nurses ask board to clarify law on new NEFE nasal‑spray epinephrine: district to house supplies in nurse suites until legislation changes

Perkiomen Valley board holds updates to employee conduct, outside-activity and speech policies; asks for clearer definitions