[{"_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",6238357,"mediaKeyId","3352725-f32862251cd8b91fbb00520f8c185b26","parentId",3352725,"title","Board approves nurse‑staffing vendor list despite one member's objection","audioSeconds",359,"startMs",3532000,"endMs",3891000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352725-f32862251cd8b91fbb00520f8c185b26&start=3532&end=3891","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352725-f32862251cd8b91fbb00520f8c185b26/thumbnail_3532000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6238357/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-nursestaffing-vendor-list-despite-one-members-objection","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238357-1bd15045afc0804f406667611c4ac852/orig.mp4?Expires=1770591876&Signature=apIvQOuCwm7XULcierzQMk6HBDOIwDNF2SHnPIrUZV0865rI-HuMG657yrLa5tj6fagLYAbauchvisZ4TW81La-hZXYOzh6Jm609uQy9CZukgHc8seuvqoVFMD7Wu3FjKTNiJ5oAdtq9qIKUfev0cPedeZOLMUKCA64137MIiyCGS-OH7g8WxsuJuHpBU5NmXWDZ-tG8tp2mVum8TLlLihW3HNBfyB8mLNeoFU2IajNIBWom0DdqFYd9IVsqXkVq-AK-Rm8eieqdS4ZPvjRFxVW7rKhLpd1TkRotE6JUNBNxv3o6n0eKrhOOgIkzur6OMrONTe3CWwC8GrZHqpw7KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-16T13:43:29Z","article","The Council Rock board on May 15 approved consent agenda item E to continue vendor agreements with home‑health and substitute nurse‑staffing providers — described in the meeting as firms the district calls when a school nurse is unavailable. The item passed with seven yes votes and one no vote.

Background: Health services administrators said the contracts are used only when a district nurse is out and that the district only pays the vendor when services are used. Administration explained the district uses multiple vendors when one vendor lacks available personnel.

Board discussion: Board member (identified in the meeting as the member pulling the item for separate vote) said their objection was not opposition to ensuring nurse coverage but stemmed from concerns about one particular company; they said they would not vote for that item while supporting the overall practice of maintaining vendor lists. The roll call for item E recorded one no vote; the motion passed.

Why it matters: substitute nurse staffing is an operational item tied to student health and building coverage. The administration said the practice is to call vendors in sequential order if the first lacks available personnel and that contract payments only occur for actual service use.

Outcome and follow up: the board approved the vendor arrangements and asked administration to provide more information to the public about the companies and the operational trigger for using them.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board meeting: May 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted to approve a consent agenda item to continue contracts with nurse‑staffing vendors (Beata and Criticare) used as substitute services; one board member voted no citing concerns about one company but the item passed 7–1.","taxTitle","Council Rock SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",72557,"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},6238361,"District reiterates limited public comment on Durham van monitor incident as criminal matter proceeds",276,2344000,2620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352725-f32862251cd8b91fbb00520f8c185b26&start=2344&end=2620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352725-f32862251cd8b91fbb00520f8c185b26/thumbnail_2344000.jpg","/articles/6238361/Pennsylvania/District-reiterates-limited-public-comment-on-Durham-van-monitor-incident-as-criminal-matter-proceeds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238361-823e072398f4d04bf9d9e5575d1647f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770591876&Signature=KNZdPN0KGg6OCypqrU9Ju57VuxYfPa4DSBCa6k~rjC61PAEX-ozysqIjbLe9FjRa387xwFGmfKgc2xKibip8V47qa1sXf47-i~4bIy5oWyY2JLQeA75Ci0LmgmOKYmgBFM7LWzCOK5za9u8IHZZejzxcjJvlvzcTCdedWiZ03Own---fTdIrX6DfldM7InJGX8T4jgzvUY9sPHsQU~P9wpylg-AaVQlajLAMfiFqiCXwqUxq5DL06BKuXYuGTjohMPdRiivUKabMpzOQDq612dGwViHcRfuGtAzln1wk69S~Eda8OqI~VfJfU3EzrvDOtEig~YZJrl2AJR00ngvJfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Council Rock School District reiterated May 15 that it can share limited information about an incident involving a Durham School Services van monitor because the matter is part of an active criminal prosecution.

Superintendent Dr. Joe Sanko told the board that the district cannot discuss personnel or police matters in detail but clarified points that had circulated on social media. He said the monitor was in his personal vehicle, parked about 50 feet from the school van, and that there was an approximately 12‑minute delay between when the monitor was observed and when the building principal was notified. Sanko said Durham provided a written statement saying the van monitor \"was relieved of duty immediately and is no longer with the company,\" and that the district has directed Durham to institute a plan to check every bus and van monitor before they assume duty.

Solicitor Mr. Musso also reminded the public that the matter is the subject of active criminal prosecution and said the solicitor's office cannot comment on the specifics of the investigation in public or on related personnel matters.

Why it matters: the incident prompted community concern about student safety and the district’s vendor oversight. The superintendent said the district received differing representations between Durham’s statement to the district and Durham’s representation to police in a probable‑cause affidavit; because of legal constraints, the district will not elaborate further publicly.

Next steps: the district said appropriate authorities are addressing the matter, Durham has revised screening procedures for monitors, and the district will continue to follow legal guidance while protecting student safety.","Superintendent said the district cannot share details about an ongoing criminal prosecution involving a Durham School Services van monitor but clarified several community concerns and said Durham relieved the monitor of duty.",{"_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},6238365,"Council Rock accepts CREF grants including $50,000 for Knights for Knowledge and $46,000 in innovation grants",1778,3251000,5029000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352725-f32862251cd8b91fbb00520f8c185b26&start=3251&end=5029","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352725-f32862251cd8b91fbb00520f8c185b26/thumbnail_3251000.jpg","/articles/6238365/Pennsylvania/Council-Rock-accepts-CREF-grants-including-50000-for-Knights-for-Knowledge-and-46000-in-innovation-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238365-36dde3f77de0dc3b2742487cd8bd2cd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770591876&Signature=ogep8ZqteqkwmRETVALIYH2DxxtnE1x3~mqfSr2JawcNyKjqBygyy3082LisOdB6DcoGS2Lrqg7ptoT7apXGpG9r7-1gXBS22OB4PDRcjhrPF9Q2ZBUIObFtgF5lb5UrkHpCZR18CX5rJ6YpCkKvSGncCsCWUcfR4BY7FTCvggMNlSaYhFRgoa1fovjLtV7~XbwdoWN46yOojixPvIY64diGa3vF-O2vKwtQtyYl7Dq38Kf4sWLdcqMU3hIKmw2BHt-uwY9zAOB1nKT5BoNvfWuUwKMIWWN0CTDzsP9FIkTQUOgss4iDFY1bCPjULmBbGMDrMOyopzLwKWSd3yPLtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Council Rock School District board on May 15 approved acceptance of a $50,000 donation from the Council Rock Education Foundation (CREF) to support the Knights for Knowledge program and accepted roughly $46,000 in CREF innovation learning grants awarded to teachers.

Education committee and CREF representatives said roughly 11 innovation grants totaling about $46,000 were awarded and are intended to fund classroom projects and teacher initiatives for the 2025‑26 school year. The board’s education committee said the grants will roll into next year’s programming; finance committee members confirmed the $50,000 Knights for Knowledge donation will help sustain a program that previously used federal ESSER funds now exhausted.

Board reaction: members praised CREF’s support and the classroom impact of innovation grants while raising process questions after some community members said “prize patrol” presentations and public check deliveries occurred before formal board approval. Board members asked administration to tighten communication next year so public presentations follow board approval.

Use of funds: administration said the Knights for Knowledge donation is expected to cover roughly one‑third of program costs (personnel was identified as the largest expense) and that the innovation grants support a range of projects from elementary STEAM to high‑school arts and extracurricular activities.

Action: the donations and grant acceptances were approved as consent agenda items. Board members asked for clearer timelines for public announcements going forward.","The board approved acceptance of a $50,000 donation from the Council Rock Education Foundation for the Knights for Knowledge program and roughly $46,000 in innovation learning grants for teachers; board members praised the program but urged better sequencing of announcements and approvals.",{"_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},6238370,"Board approves hiring outside special‑education counsel after public questions about rates and case load",204,5408000,5612000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352725-f32862251cd8b91fbb00520f8c185b26&start=5408&end=5612","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352725-f32862251cd8b91fbb00520f8c185b26/thumbnail_5408000.jpg","/articles/6238370/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-hiring-outside-specialeducation-counsel-after-public-questions-about-rates-and-case-load","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238370-5b3221f90581caedd9cc461c27f12242/orig.mp4?Expires=1770591876&Signature=Due2AtgjYWKE3ExEYp-l7SNHJ6Io-K87DeHm505nWxA9kxYmTb1XThWKrboGrojK29m7~gtGXR-Lz2bbmZT~ff2U9Eo8IcYU8LfdQIkUqKf40FswhHUqbaAXzs~sSyiTrG0ak1WOZktKAUUczb7Hk3lSI56zNY-JjSe21kVfpYw31-6utzokz7PQxLAdtHpEtVFzGOC6tg9XUCddXMc90UNQQo46Y0An7R0DiU9jj8fVhN15f2m5NwtuU4Cpa8ivH~LzlCFk2bLZUbc7~fxTwLKz2~h3DhLqHiiggmC1oJON8c1h7wUcFvaVw9S6Hv0DgLPxw6Nof-eFNIXQyCKskw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Council Rock School District board on May 15 approved an engagement letter with the law firm Whistler Pearlstein to provide special‑education legal services after public questions about hourly rates and the number of active cases.

Solicitor Mr. Musso and administration leaders told the board Whistler will bill at rates consistent with the district’s existing special‑education structures: partner-level work at $250 per hour for general special‑education matters, $200 per hour for associates, and $125 per hour for paralegals, with a lower $160 per hour rate that applies once a parent files a due‑process complaint, the solicitor said.

Why it matters: board members and members of the public pressed for clarity about how many special‑education matters the district currently handles and whether the new engagement creates any financial conflicts. The solicitor said the district had reduced due‑process cases to near zero in the past but currently has several active due‑process matters; he estimated “six or seven” active due‑process cases. Solicitor Musso and administration officials said the engagement is between the district and Whistler Pearlstein; they said Rudolph & Clark (the district solicitor firm) would not receive referral fees and would not financially benefit from the arrangement.

Discussion and safeguards: board members asked about transitioning active cases to Whistler and about the firm’s expertise. Attorney Musso said the firm has experience in districts similar to Council Rock and that the district expects a “seamless” transition for most matters; Amy Brooks of Whistler Pearlstein was identified in the meeting as the partner expected to lead the work. Musso also said the engagement letter and rates are posted in the board materials.

Action and votes: the engagement was included among consent items considered by the board and advanced after discussion; board members voted to approve the consent agenda items that included the Whistler engagement.

Next steps: administration said it will coordinate an introductory meeting between Whistler and special‑education staff and clarify the transition plan for active matters.","Council Rock approved an engagement letter with Whistler Pearlstein to provide special‑education legal services; the solicitor and administration said rates mirror prior practice and that there are several active cases requiring additional expertise.",{"_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},6238375,"Council Rock board approves proposed final budget calling for 2.93% tax increase and $6.7 million deficit",4019,4729000,8748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352725-f32862251cd8b91fbb00520f8c185b26&start=4729&end=8748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352725-f32862251cd8b91fbb00520f8c185b26/thumbnail_4729000.jpg","/articles/6238375/Pennsylvania/Council-Rock-board-approves-proposed-final-budget-calling-for-293-tax-increase-and-67-million-deficit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238375-a80797e3e3c4928a2b2dffbc07af4920/orig.mp4?Expires=1770591876&Signature=lna3811UUBp44r3QPgIXI2GbG3VX0HqTiSuixl9ORcVFLRkERUxY-83Ovj-0GjK5GDL-CIgcbLF02TI35BM9~lu2CzJsV0ujjvQA~Cxp1mAgOOagkqVIBnF18pBbhEekA2Isg-DnwILFXIVLIRjN1CiICE56Jgs7w~Ym2m5WJc2mTuf3QICeBQbBKIi8Eib7mMjbUM1rJ2s9nJdZdO-52SDd8tOVph2IGA2De7xchoiWjIdvpC2~Gwp~0kZT6ZuWZeY8ZPLAvwz0Id05jHM56PJ2rZYl1o~9ffQVDVwAEx3GJiQrMtLswMjTlhmQWGLzqEqnLwNfFTJfpR1xIdbW3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Council Rock School District board of school directors voted May 15 to approve a proposed final budget that would raise property taxes by 2.93% and shows a projected deficit of roughly $6.7 million.

The vote allows the administration to post the budget for the minimum 20 days required under state law before the board takes a final vote in June. Tony Rapp, the district business administrator, told the board the proposal is a “proposed final” budget and not yet final; state procedures require the display and additional advertisement before final adoption.

Why it matters: the budget includes funding for the second year of full-day kindergarten and for about 10.3 newly budgeted teaching positions (the administration described additional hires tied to the kindergarten rollout and other school staffing needs). Board members and the public pressed administrators about the size of the deficit, the effect on the district’s fund balance and credit rating, and whether the district can reduce the proposed tax increase.

Key facts and numbers: Rapp said the district began budget work with a roughly $14 million shortfall and has reduced that to the current $6.7 million projection. The proposed increase was presented as lower than the Act 1 index in many nearby districts; Rapp said other districts are budgeting at or near the Act 1 index and that Council Rock’s proposed increase is intended to limit tax growth while covering contractual and nonpersonnel cost pressures.

Board discussion centered on trade-offs between program staffing and taxpayer impacts. Board members asked for a five‑year projection of revenues and expenditures and for regular updates to the online budget materials as figures change before the June final vote. Rapp said he would provide a five‑year projection and post updated budget PDFs on the district website during the public display period.

Procedure and vote: the motion to advance the proposed final budget passed on roll call; board members present voted to move the proposal into the required posting period ahead of the June meeting for final adoption.

Next steps: the administration will post the proposed final budget on the district website and in the Chancellor Center lobby for the required 20‑day display and advertise the June meeting as required by state law. The board must adopt a final budget at a later public meeting, currently scheduled for June.","The Council Rock School District board approved a proposed final budget on May 15 that would raise taxes by 2.93% and carry a projected $6.7 million deficit; the vote moves the plan into the 20-day public posting period required by state law.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves nurse‑staffing vendor list despite one member's objection

District reiterates limited public comment on Durham van monitor incident as criminal matter proceeds

Council Rock accepts CREF grants including $50,000 for Knights for Knowledge and $46,000 in innovation grants

Board approves hiring outside special‑education counsel after public questions about rates and case load

Council Rock board approves proposed final budget calling for 2.93% tax increase and $6.7 million deficit