[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6514881,"mediaKeyId","5022839-0e16a7c1cfd4b26ae2927cde75410d5c","parentId",5022839,"title","Votes at a glance: Lower Moreland board approves personnel, contracts, capital work and agreements on June 17","audioSeconds",2243,"startMs",4105000,"endMs",6348000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022839-0e16a7c1cfd4b26ae2927cde75410d5c&start=4105&end=6348","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022839-0e16a7c1cfd4b26ae2927cde75410d5c/thumbnail_4105000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6514881/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Lower-Moreland-board-approves-personnel-contracts-capital-work-and-agreements-on-June-17","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514881-02fecbb729ff781f44b40ca9e63f3d51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191976&Signature=f7FNYQnTqbyUyp0KRgZlTEcXSmWp9~vb4xX~gQ2dGNMHgysAN76mAtp6q~05drcA3nQvqrZLmDGV93qxKApkvCQzJSwtUzguFLekoZrAQjrfaewSKiP5fSTH-vVBE9yaMFhqdkjrrzVmC1ZFg45tkMdGmBcrcWM4Jdm0F~LAeGHlKZ2-BlIFoiVR42YHZez127VPiL6Y6SnY4jbCIZKPv9W0wJsP6ecOCp883uJ6LQoUp95uwGQA04nUXLeISZ5IpJbjcE9Ur7IrvyVGwYk0Z7oyYED3Wk439Br1FdwHIc4YPfHv3VwCiQtdR2RH9myXXl5VizvsKSl-W1J39uGBzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lower Moreland Township School District","date","2025-06-18T13:27:53Z","article","At its June 17 meeting the Lower Moreland Township School District Board of School Directors approved a slate of routine and capital items. Many passed by voice vote with no extended discussion; several capital contracts were approved by roll call or voice and will be paid from the district's capital projects account.

Summary of principal actions (motion language summarized):

- Personnel and staffing: Approved 2024–25 personnel motions for hires, long‑term substitutes, camp counselors and the addition of a coordinator of data quality integration and reporting (item A). (Motion carried by voice vote.)

- Job description and professional agreements: Approved the Lead Technology Assistant job description and multiple vendor service agreements for student health and related services (Bayada 2025–27 agreement; STS 2025–27 agreement; US Medical 2025–26 agreement; GHR 2025–26 agreement). (Motions carried by voice votes.)

- Professional development and partnerships: Approved renewal quote with a Master Teacher for professional development; membership with Penn GSE Catalyst Core Team; and a $10,000 memorandum of understanding with Penn State University's Hamill Family Human Rights Initiative for monthly in‑person secondary teacher professional learning in 2025–26. (Penn State MOU carried by voice vote.)

- Facilities, capital contracts and projects (all funds from capital projects account):
- Hirschberg Mechanical contract for LMSD RTU and pool unit replacement: $681,720 (approved).
- Hirschberg Mechanical contract for LMTSD chiller replacement: $1,130,000 (approved).
- Johnson Controls contract for BAS network upgrade: $142,500 (approved).
- Keystone Fire & Security contract for fire alarm upgrade: $361,000+ (approved).
- Master capital projects budget dated 05/31/2025 approved; related blanket budget transfer authorization also approved.

- Technology and data: Approved agreements to replace SchoolDude with a facilities maintenance product (Brightly Asset Essentials) and to contract with Chester County Intermediate Unit for Rubric data backup services; approved Epson projector and whiteboard purchases and installs under a quoted agreement.

- Finance: Approved accounts‑payable checklists (05/27/25 and 06/10/25), a wire transfer list dated 05/31/25, and monthly financial reports; approved several procedural finance resolutions (blanket authorization for budget transfers, summertime business resolution, and depositories including Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust and Wells Fargo). (All motions carried.)

- Schools and students: Approved student club proposals, an overnight trip for esports state finals, revised academic calendars (minor language edits only), approval of student handbooks, and an expulsion waiver agreement for a student (ID 9102).

- Policies: First readings for a group of updated district policies (items L–W) were approved as first readings; subsequent second readings will follow per board policy.

Why it matters: The capital contracts move forward major equipment replacements and safety systems (HVAC chillers, RTUs, pool units, building automation, and fire alarms) that the administration identified as needed under the district's capital plan. The Penn State MOU and other professional development investments are intended to support teacher practice and student civil discourse. Routine personnel and club approvals enable summer hiring and fall programming.

What's next: The business office and facilities will execute awarded contracts and report back to the board on project timelines and expenditures; the athletics and activities staff will implement newly approved sports and clubs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06/17/2025 LMTSD Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved multiple personnel actions, vendor agreements for capital projects, technology and service agreements, memberships, student clubs and other routine matters. Key contracts for HVAC, chiller, BAS, and alarm upgrades were approved and will be funded from the capital projects account.","taxTitle","Lower Moreland Township SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",53112,"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},6514886,"Board approves flag football and varsity volleyball; athletics presentation highlights state championships and facility priorities",4946,2273000,7219000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022839-0e16a7c1cfd4b26ae2927cde75410d5c&start=2273&end=7219","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022839-0e16a7c1cfd4b26ae2927cde75410d5c/thumbnail_2273000.jpg","/articles/6514886/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-flag-football-and-varsity-volleyball-athletics-presentation-highlights-state-championships-and-facility-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514886-e66f42100236017cde4402732ee2b8fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191976&Signature=no3CUpz6Puv26JaGIdJ39qGZj8qWYuccVLNP2KIsP1JCtsN6Nj9E-h20pEkcfo8dziehXTX-bZWNDMnrhkTQMJRG5QZKra8U~6L8bRCM3yde4jYZ8szfIyCXFqFio8UnWjD0VFc65ctJXCYgOKWW3-vjHUVvpolds0GMKmDf7SMmmTijaIPeHXamUvnX8DurZmJ6QnWt7ZSeiXyOUbflJvruk6lLgGIb1A89lOjxJWYhkRlEEPDjqLNsFCEjoXhJaLjtMpZDRWOSLGkK8ldidsjUZfJUGd9TGTV-lwuE06g6HH6~QDLEXIoPUMXRiZfqfIarWREHXNuAnDXY3-mNWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lower Moreland Board of School Directors on June 17 approved two new sanctioned sports — girls' flag football (spring) and varsity girls' and boys' volleyball — and heard a spring athletics and activities presentation detailing team achievements, start‑up costs and facility priorities.

During a roughly 90‑minute athletics section, a district athletics presenter, Mister Dominic (staff member), summarized spring seasons and extracurricular accomplishments, noting notable team and individual results: boys tennis went 13–1 and won the PIAA 2A state championship; girls lacrosse made the district playoffs and had individuals named to all‑league lists; track and field produced multiple league medalists and Annie (full name in minutes) repeatedly broke the school mile record and qualified for states; and the esports Valorant team won the Pennsylvania scholastic title.

Dominic also proposed new programs and a five‑item facilities priorities list. He said the initial startup cost for a girls' flag football program would be about $2,500–$3,000 (not including coach stipends), and that the district's Under Armour contract would provide 25 free jerseys that reduce uniform costs. He described a plan to add girls' volleyball in the fall and boys' volleyball in the spring, with estimated uniform and equipment costs of roughly $10,000 per program after excluding a complete court system that would not be required following recent equipment repairs.

The board approved both additions by voice votes. Flag football passed with one recorded no; volleyball passed with one no vote as noted during roll call. The board asked about coaches and staffing; Dominic said the district has not yet posted for coaches because the programs depend on formal board approval and subsequent posting. He said existing club participation suggests enough student interest to field teams.

Dominic framed facility needs to support the new programs and existing teams: (1) gym adjustments for volleyball (floor markings, stanchion locations); (2) Mark Mason Stadium sound‑system improvements and interim restroom solutions; (3) consideration of a turf/synthetic field at Mark Mason Stadium to increase scheduling flexibility; (4) dugouts and covered benches for baseball and softball together with drainage remediation; and (5) improvements to the track-and‑field complex (new high‑jump pad, discus/shot‑put area repairs, and a new equipment shed).

Why it matters: New sports expand participation options for students and have modest near‑term costs but raise recurring personnel and facility obligations. Facility improvements named by staff would require capital funding if pursued beyond short‑term fixes.

What's next: With board approval, the district can post coach positions, finalize uniforms and start scheduling within the Suburban 1 athletic league. Facilities items were noted for future capital planning and budget allocation.","The board approved adding girls' flag football (spring) and varsity girls' and boys' volleyball to Lower Moreland High School athletics, heard a spring athletics report that highlighted state and district championships, and reviewed a facilities needs assessment that listed gym adjustments, stadium sound and a turf field as priorities.",{"_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},6514891,"Lower Moreland board adopts $66.8 million budget, approves 5.25% tax increase in 6-3 vote",1556,4408000,5964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022839-0e16a7c1cfd4b26ae2927cde75410d5c&start=4408&end=5964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022839-0e16a7c1cfd4b26ae2927cde75410d5c/thumbnail_4408000.jpg","/articles/6514891/Pennsylvania/Lower-Moreland-board-adopts-668-million-budget-approves-525-tax-increase-in-6-3-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514891-2cdcef7c60c36f649fc98bc86c774fdc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191976&Signature=PKkc5TyHVRlxW1rm94hPkIdWr3Ds3BMAY8km72wq5~yGCN~s4BdcjyzaPVubRBWDQMXhQCCZ8gCdpQ5SuwZgBuwojXR7ge9W3igNK~7L9VnHBqkNFaovZMkk0CUtrcX98AaiuMAJ5zIhFFrFZLRsnYdzJFwuZ30cWXP4XUxltdg3G-QpH3GrMTnPuBvO4~oWk5Oqq3LqMwIRW9FpbxiOkYwT2o3j2MYoDWbVwwZ9V8EwqgX9D1bBl6Tjr0iPPvwyvPFzM9RQTWNpgv3KJnzxoTg3YbOjcazifwS26cqmzXWb0Yflu5MR0nbcdv1XDHewJ~tLK2fVg63ai2fqu8bSkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lower Moreland Township School District Board of School Directors on June 17 approved the district's 2025–26 budget of $66,796,228 and a 5.25% overall tax increase after about an hour of discussion and a roll‑call vote that ended 6–3.

Board members and administrators said the increase was driven by a structural deficit, rising mandated costs and deferred facilities needs that have reduced the district's fund balance and led to a bond‑rating downgrade.

Supporters said the increase is intended to stabilize finances and fund necessary capital work. \"The only responsible decision that we as a board can make is to go into the green,\" said Dr. Butler (board member), arguing that continuing to draw down reserves would further harm the district's credit rating. Business manager Mark McGinn, whose financial presentations framed the discussion, told the board the budget was the product of year‑long work to close gaps in revenues and expenditures.

Opponents urged using more fund balance or smaller increases. \"I would have liked to have seen us, have reserved some fund balance for the balancing of the budget and waited until some of that revenue came in,\" said Michael Berardi (board member), who voted no. Several board members stressed that raising taxes above the Act 1 index compounds over time and warned about the long‑term cost to taxpayers.

After public remarks by several board members, the board conducted a roll call. The budget motion passed on a 6–3 roll call: Yes votes from Miss Blanton, Dr. Butler, Miss Darien, Mr. Geiger, Dr. James Lee (presiding officer), and Mr. McKee; No votes from Miss Baker, Mr. Berardi and Miss Cannon.

The board also took accompanying administrative actions after the budget vote. It approved the district's Homestead and Farmstead resolution that applies state gambling and tax credit monies to reduce property tax bills, and it charged the district's tax collector to begin 2025 real‑estate tax collection in accordance with the adopted budget. Both motions were carried by voice vote after the budget adoption.

Why it matters: Board members and administrators said continued reliance on reserves had reduced the district's fund balance and lowered its Standard & Poor's bond rating, making future borrowing costlier. Supporters said the tax increase and budget are intended to halt that slide and allow the district to fund a 10‑year capital plan and ongoing operating needs without repeatedly dipping into reserves.

What's next: The budget-approved spending plan and tax proof will be used to generate tax bills for the 2025–26 fiscal year and to shape the district's capital project priorities and borrowing plans discussed elsewhere in the meeting.

Votes at the meeting that directly affected the budget included the roll‑call approval of the budget, a separate Homestead/Farmstead resolution, and a motion charging the tax collector to collect the 2025 real estate taxes.","After extended debate, the Lower Moreland Township School District Board of School Directors approved a $66,796,228 budget for 2025–26 and a 5.25% overall tax increase, citing falling fund balance, a Standard & Poor's downgrade and long‑term capital needs. The vote was 6–3.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Lower Moreland board approves personnel, contracts, capital work and agreements on June 17

Board approves flag football and varsity volleyball; athletics presentation highlights state championships and facility priorities

Lower Moreland board adopts $66.8 million budget, approves 5.25% tax increase in 6-3 vote