[{"_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",6560959,"mediaKeyId","3296477-5f94892cc6901a22c837b1998b853721","parentId",3296477,"title","Board approves minutes, invoices and multiple contracts; personnel and program items combined in single vote","audioSeconds",80,"startMs",4593000,"endMs",4673000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3296477-5f94892cc6901a22c837b1998b853721&start=4593&end=4673","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3296477-5f94892cc6901a22c837b1998b853721/thumbnail_4593000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6560959/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-minutes-invoices-and-multiple-contracts-personnel-and-program-items-combined-in-single-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560959-88649458236371044ac7ff2c33677541/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948125&Signature=CILURlmpwvkxcydxP2PWArbxg8xHEjuEfH-Xt94fNTU9HrIrSYC1uAaGf8LTjUSGoyg4awRdj1ORIE8GcY0M5phfRw-q4S0jPBVohoqaD0sd4sE9ZJykN3Xq0~9dDliIOGzOwXQtaCz4eyectXkmvkQlYKPutCA4fSS9yMQcUQqEkr-3zJeZEFIXdpI0F8~gjNjGI7OugCgYz9mD31R4nGaAL585TM3Tz8XjsEQDUqLIpXx1sNVasV6GEsHbdvMNRtlK2hdR62LfAf8wMX7P~XjyYweGmYtgR2K-Il1AoSEkpUHGrM3obXEK7wkvu8K1X6K0fPPohCwmUIxAFOUbYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pottsgrove School District","date","2025-05-14T01:00:29.567Z","article","The Pottsgrove School District board approved a series of routine and programmatic items during its meeting, taking voice votes on minutes, invoices, personnel actions and multiple contracts.

Key approvals recorded in the meeting: minutes for April 8 and April 22 were combined and approved; payment of April 2025 invoices in the amount of $3,086,237.18 was approved; combined personnel items including resignations, retirements, appointments, leaves and supplemental assignments were approved in a single combined motion; and multiple contracts and agreements were approved in grouped votes.

Contracts and agreements approved (as presented in agenda order) included a corporate partnership renewal with Mishach Physical Therapy (Market Street renewal), a DEC Hockey League agreement to pay for rink relocation/recoding/striping, a medical practitioner agreement with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU), a sanctioned screening agreement with OIG Compliance Now LLC for the school-based access program, a four-year iPad lease agreement with Apple Financial Services, a contract with Bucksmont Academy, multiple independent-contractor agreements for psychological and educational testing, approval of a regional area network (RAN) and e-rate filings, a LinkIt data-warehouse acquisition, renewal of Toshiba copier/printing leases, and various pediatric therapeutic and affiliation agreements related to special education and student placements.

The board also approved a confidential settlement agreement for one student and approved policies presented at second reading (payment of bills, GASB, public-access defibrillation program) as well as the first reading and committee actions previously reported.

Motions were typically moved and seconded from the board dais and decided by voice vote. The transcript records repeated phrasing: \"Those in favor? Aye. Those opposed? Motion passes.\" The meeting did not include roll-call vote tallies attached to most motions in the recorded transcript.

Ending: The meeting record shows routine approvals across personnel, contracts, student services and policy items; the transcript does not provide individual vote tallies for most items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pottsgrove School Board Meeting May 13th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Pottsgrove board approved minutes, payment of April invoices totaling $3,086,237.18, combined personnel actions, multiple contracts and program agreements; most motions passed by voice vote with no roll-call tallies provided in the transcript.","taxTitle","Pottsgrove SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",65793,"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},6560962,"Pottsgrove highlights student awards, mental-health club growth and international trip",782,915000,1697000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3296477-5f94892cc6901a22c837b1998b853721&start=915&end=1697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3296477-5f94892cc6901a22c837b1998b853721/thumbnail_915000.jpg","/articles/6560962/Pennsylvania/Pottsgrove-highlights-student-awards-mental-health-club-growth-and-international-trip","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560962-3c03f18ff6845c210d1a538985203f34/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948125&Signature=Q45pGgCInz21~TaepiOOuO9c2XnJCfAPk3SDxHIcIeRDJOWgOff9w78CkW8c58emq0h3Hf6HfAOSUSWSxNzZnt4lG5kpnUvIbQSC4xPWbJ42rWsYKncmzqqo3mjfLS-CNfFxuwJdOfVs3HNnpcU6jptx8uRvHD6EjMOvDhWqVUbx8F6auc6umVLhXGpaE3Ek9Bv3M~QrEunxnxxAf0YMfpudOrS0W-SMAZkvaYFGF~M1vxYZStwcOcYM1inWwKRrciqsCHQkiqevytMsfWY8wx1RHahlRvbcwCx2ioePjxThcSf1a3DaTBO94W2ZeqbmlINemy9z2XrZjL3wNdqZqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pottsgrove School District used part of its meeting to recognize retirees and spotlight student programs and achievements across grade levels.

Director of human resources Amy Thompson introduced nine retirees and listed five present at the meeting, thanking them for years of service. Thompson described the district's memento, the Pottsgrove Apple, and provided service histories for several honorees, including Kim Emery (school nurse), Sue McGuarty (administrative assistant), Corey Rhodes (31 years of service), Sue Rutter (26 years), and Terry Culler (35 years with 18 at Pottsgrove).

High school principal Dr. Felicia Gonzales presented student recognitions. Students who attend the Western Center in health-care programs competed at the PA HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) state leadership conference; seniors Marley Flannery, Zachary Strunk and Gabriel Fuentes received recognition and spoke about their experiences. Flannery said she won state titles and a $2,000 scholarship and that HOSA provided pathways for students pursuing healthcare careers.

Marco Desiderio and student leaders described AVIDUM (a student-run mental-health and peer-support club), which the high school implemented three years ago and has grown into the school's largest club. Student officers and the advisor said AVIDUM provides a safe space for students, raises awareness of mental-health issues and plans to present the program to Montgomery County superintendents via Zoom.

Teacher Christina Mortimer and students summarized a spring-break Costa Rica trip that took 35 students and five chaperones. Presenters described activities including zip-lining, sustainability and ecological workshops, thermal springs, snorkeling, national-park visits, a coffee-plantation tour and cultural exchanges. Students said the trip broadened perspectives, built confidence and forged cross-grade friendships. Mortimer said 45 students are already signed up for a trip to Italy next spring and the school maintains a waiting list.

Lower Pottsgrove Elementary's fifth-grade student leadership team was recognized as one of 47 nationwide to receive an American Student Council School of Excellence Award and was the only Pennsylvania school so honored; counselor Susan Shannon introduced the student leaders and read excerpts from student essays used in the application.

Ending: Board members applauded the retiree honorees and student presenters; no formal board action was required for the presentations.","At its meeting the Pottsgrove board recognized retiring staff and student achievements: PA HOSA awards won by Western Center students, the AVIDUM mental-health club described as the high school's largest club, and a 35-student Costa Rica trip presented by faculty and students.",{"_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},6560966,"Western Center proposal: capital reserve fund and program expansions highlighted to address wait lists",434,5345000,5779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3296477-5f94892cc6901a22c837b1998b853721&start=5345&end=5779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3296477-5f94892cc6901a22c837b1998b853721/thumbnail_5345000.jpg","/articles/6560966/Pennsylvania/Western-Center-proposal-capital-reserve-fund-and-program-expansions-highlighted-to-address-wait-lists","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560966-28a68fdb365f102466a01fb420c4cb9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948125&Signature=oG29ACpndUl7QQyq7-CgNZlSTDLlxgVkMuRBBUvwdbQPG9lckfTMgJiRyAIr~7Z8rogr-Inb5tBW7aia2tkqJ3LvMJdahcipD2yeOSKzPA4hTrBjNPccHXB~F7JE7n2-uo1dq~wkk8zW~RfcVhl1XXEoIvFmHLICvtJGrbRY53l18gDJG3ltrb8MW2w4grctWvWCuOlHTto65qYHBkqXUCs3JQbTEVNgvUDyqP93L-VqkjV2S4UUEqrk5pSCdF-R9K0fjqedug~ouJ0hdF9VjZSragjY7s0NfUz~UbuU2-ZF9RuW0Utnt76Ad~JEvKP3mNO67jz4F8J048sYbXaP1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees heard a report from the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center's administrative director about two items: a proposal to establish a capital reserve fund and an analysis of applications and acceptance rates for the 2025-26 school year.

Director David Livingood told the joint operating committee that he proposes creating a capital reserve by continuing the three sending districts' payments that currently service a bond. The bond payments end on Nov. 15, 2028; Livingood suggested converting that expenditure into a recurring capital reserve contribution so districts would not increase their outlay but would instead redirect funds to a reserve. He said creating the reserve requires amending the Western Center's articles of agreement and would need a majority of the 27-member board (14 votes) plus an affirmative vote from Spring-Ford under current voting rules. Livingood described a timeline that includes superintendent and business-manager discussions, a presentation to all 27 district board members in October or November and a vote in January or February 2026.

Livingood also reviewed admissions for the 2025-26 school year: the Western Center received 286 applicants and accepted 220 (76.9%). Pottsgrove submitted 97 applications and had 66 accepts (68%); Spring-Ford and Upper Perkiomen reported higher acceptance rates. Pottsgrove accounted for a disproportionately large share of cosmetology applicants and for much of the wait list: cosmetology made up 42% of Pottsgrove's non-acceptances and Pottsgrove represented 51% of total cosmetology applicants across sending districts.

To address capacity constraints, Livingood proposed adding instructors and capacity in high-demand trades: one cosmetology instructor (plus a full-time aide) to add 10 student seats, a carpentry instructor (+20 seats), an electrical instructor (+20), a welding instructor (+20) and related supplies and ventilation upgrades for welding. He estimated the additions would increase the Western Center's budget by about $2.5 million (about a 27% increase) and said the JOC asked him to return with a detailed 2- to 5-year phased cost plan because most districts cannot absorb a one-year jump in costs.

Robert Rizzo, superintendent of record for the Western Center and Spring-Ford superintendent, announced he will retire effective Aug. 1, 2025. The Western Center also reported NOCTE technical assessment results and named students of the quarter, several of whom were from Pottsgrove.

Ending: The JOC requested a more detailed phased proposal for expanding high-demand programs and indicated further discussion with superintendents and business managers before any voting on the capital reserve or program expansions.","The Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center presented a draft plan to create a capital reserve funded by continuing bond payments after 2028 and proposed adding instructors and equipment (estimated $2.5 million) to expand high-demand programs such as cosmetology, welding and carpentry.",{"_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},6560970,"Pottsgrove board hears budget update showing $1.17 million gap, possible 2.62% tax increase",171,3898000,4069000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3296477-5f94892cc6901a22c837b1998b853721&start=3898&end=4069","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3296477-5f94892cc6901a22c837b1998b853721/thumbnail_3898000.jpg","/articles/6560970/Pennsylvania/Pottsgrove-board-hears-budget-update-showing-117-million-gap-possible-262-tax-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560970-3a3c72d4f89f033c454d3f59e0e20dc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948125&Signature=np9pIHvcg0BhXKWCdaZSC11YDEURbJjlrbLxeIN6zsWryF9MEwS8E7cpzwJkUldtYSatBdBecfuf3nFkE82wgskXRgQjTDGQwvx6yqJndIILokYZJHcIsJ46sO2YJy0c03z-tj138FiKZJsxwptKZv0n8d3GfI29qxIOzx5r9W~tDj98h9~m7sRpo0wrR4wois~NWy7muhYMvEwap~G0DiJTysxo9d~rbD2yOz6FwVawhcu09rhyG2Hw0uXBHsl4h1j6aCLtF~zXGmjS4LdbQ6atD~QsgV87wK8vxhObxn6j7PGBy6jIa9E3FhcItjPbsRtlXf6LP2DAHFH2T~5QtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Business administrator Ron Linke told the Pottsgrove School District Board of School Directors that the district's adopted proposed final budget had increased its projected deficit after administrators added staff and services back into the plan.

Linke said the board had adopted a proposed final budget on April 22 showing a roughly $906,000 deficit that would have required about a 2.02% tax increase. Since then, administration added positions and line items'including a reach counselor, a special education teacher at the high school and at Lower Pottsgrove Elementary, summer technology help, a contracted drug-and-alcohol counselor and adjustments for unpaid leave'bringing the deficit to about $1,170,000, which Linke said equates to approximately a 2.62% tax increase.

The update matters because the board must adopt a final budget by June 10. Linke said administration would continue monitoring state budget action and any cost reductions, and would present another update at the May 27 meeting before the board votes on June 10.

Linke also broke down larger year-over-year changes: the district's current budget iteration is about $5,000,000 (roughly 6.5%) higher than last year's budget. He said new staffing requests account for about $486,000, other salary increases total about $1.1 million, and benefits increases include roughly $500,000 attributable to retirement and Social Security on those raises. Linke identified charter school costs, special-education outplacements, a new iPad lease and some maintenance projects as drivers of the $5 million increase.

Board members pressed for clarity on how much of the increase is structural (recurring) versus one-time. A board member noted that salary and benefits increases are recurring costs that will affect future years, and Linke agreed those are structural increases the district will need to meet with either increased revenue or cuts.

Linke said administration narrowed maintenance projects for next year to focus on Ringing Rocks and the middle school and planned to present updated figures at the May 27 meeting. He reiterated the final adoption date of June 10.

Ending: The board did not take final action on the budget at the meeting; trustees will receive another update on May 27 and are scheduled to vote on a final budget on June 10.","Business administrator Ron Linke told the Pottsgrove School District board that the district's budget deficit rose from about $906,000 to roughly $1,170,000 after administrators restored several positions; the board must adopt a final budget by June 10.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves minutes, invoices and multiple contracts; personnel and program items combined in single vote

Pottsgrove highlights student awards, mental-health club growth and international trip

Western Center proposal: capital reserve fund and program expansions highlighted to address wait lists

Pottsgrove board hears budget update showing $1.17 million gap, possible 2.62% tax increase