[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99],{"_32":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":73},"mediaId",6482531,"mediaKeyId","5653820-ff96ab2031e528eaa749c7b436407a3f","parentId",5653820,"title","Residents press Pennsbury on ESSER-funded webcams; district cites federal rules and plans a limited sale test","audioSeconds",273,"startMs",2456000,"endMs",2729000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653820-ff96ab2031e528eaa749c7b436407a3f&start=2456&end=2729","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653820-ff96ab2031e528eaa749c7b436407a3f/thumbnail_2456000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6482531/Pennsylvania/Residents-press-Pennsbury-on-ESSER-funded-webcams-district-cites-federal-rules-and-plans-a-limited-sale-test","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482531-6dafd7543d3a9b3468ed59c651bb84e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1769868472&Signature=DH0m0LZTdvFQlAF4RjCPQ2Z9vy-cnIgPUtP0ZnUWM~3cbp2g~RvrvWSe~SF4pkP8eDPfRJDyTCeznxZ9w-azzUhIRf5JZfZ3MOFMLHF5247OYzgwwaUXSM4y8czAqW53nvrXjI1Xm4K-wRVdu4SVpEXbhU9nutMW2Odc-E4QWH6Q3ItB4rq7tdrqxFl4zV~2mE2oLuQ8Sv0hvE~vTNm35MoyEW190ym9hZcbnjUA0Hf5kjsQ~ygkPpL0gR4UN02zzllzCO1b4nKqgjM05T3eTnTnHYfQPHvLh~PfVIkmfLn3topLkzNB~B8C8JA6IaCQk6P8k1RZ9~6FmbHdAkQtOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennsbury School District","date","2025-08-22T01:10:54.45Z","article","Pennsbury School Board
Aug. 21, 2025

Residents pressed the Pennsbury School Board on Aug. 21 for an accounting of hundreds of webcams and other equipment purchased with federal ESSER funds and questioned plans to sell surplus items.

Public concerns: Robert Abrams of Lower Makefield Township told the board the district had bought 725 webcams for $163,125 and asked for a full inventory before any sale. “You were told they were bought with ESSER funds. It is illegal to use federal funds and then go sell them and take the money,” Abrams said, and asked the board to table the item.

District response: District staff and a board member explained federal guidance allows disposal of equipment purchased with federal funds when items are no longer needed. The district solicitor cited the Code of Federal Regulations, saying that if the fair market value per unit is less than $5,000 the district may sell or dispose of equipment without additional obligation to the U.S. Department of Education, pointing to 2 C.F.R. § 200.1.

Inventory and next steps: Board and staff said assets are tracked with asset tags and that the district is conducting an inventory. The district said it would put 50 units on the market initially “as a test balloon” to determine fair market value and next steps for disposition, and that staff will continue reconciling asset records.

What residents want: Speakers asked for a public inventory and for board oversight of any sale proceeds. Several commenters also asked that the district not reduce available equipment for classrooms or instructional needs.

Ending: The board allowed a procurement item about webcams to remain on the agenda after members pulled other line items for separate discussion; the district said it will continue to reconcile asset tags and report back to the board.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pennsbury School District School Board Action Meeting August 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents raised concerns Aug. 21 about the district’s inventory of webcams and whether ESSER-funded equipment can be sold; the district said federal rules allow disposal of equipment under guidance at 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 and said it will test-market 50 webcams to determine fair market value.","taxTitle","Pennsbury SD , School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",72575,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6482534,"Pennsbury approves $47,298 change order for Charles Behn auditorium aisle lighting; board will seek reimbursement",277,2998000,3275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653820-ff96ab2031e528eaa749c7b436407a3f&start=2998&end=3275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653820-ff96ab2031e528eaa749c7b436407a3f/thumbnail_2998000.jpg","/articles/6482534/Pennsylvania/Pennsbury-approves-47298-change-order-for-Charles-Behn-auditorium-aisle-lighting-board-will-seek-reimbursement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482534-274fdcdbb74a0e7e721ca1bfb1c3cf8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1769868472&Signature=jUuFJSiOu1LxG9LNyFQxHU5clV4fXNbcmlsLDKoxLopN~J4OARJR7rzZ7K8pjCkdomNE7BEWJ~vvzNPNiufrpdytBOlJ~AwYkKbdFSDR8fgPC1ueyKm50ge5htU~FvL~wyMhZa~7b4MCObNVEM8S~7V4L-NaH4S60uUu~O-VkgRFkRJoh~~xQPwu0XjBpKzCni~3jVBceJJo7yZsfjURmWkpu5QC8z~9~BweUYZtrBF~rPvMTBjs-nwav-T9kllVCh5rIPRyCn7-bc3NN0Q~Ofy19HqygfJcIfry0mRxaF6TGjmcMCz6myR7a4ZOY37sYfcbZTxoa5mHdpH7wBC2lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennsbury School Board
Aug. 21, 2025

The Pennsbury School Board voted Aug. 21 to approve a $47,298.34 change order for auditorium aisle lighting at Charles Behn Middle School and to pursue reimbursement from the architect/engineer that omitted the required lighting from the construction documents.

What the board approved: The motion — to approve Charles Behn Middle School renovation change order ECO 0002, dated July 18, 2025, in the amount of $47,298.34 for auditorium aisle lighting — passed after the board amended the motion to specify that payment would not constitute accord and satisfaction and that the district would pursue reimbursement. The amended motion passed on a roll-call vote of 6–1. Dr. Delwich voted no.

Why the change order: Board members and facilities staff said the aisle lighting is required by code for auditorium occupancy and was not included in the original construction documents; engineers and architects acknowledged the omission. Facilities staff said the work is needed to avoid disruption to instruction and to allow the auditorium to open as scheduled.

Legal and financial steps: The district solicitor advised amending the payment motion to state that approving payment is not a waiver of the district’s claims; the board adopted that approach and instructed staff and legal counsel to pursue reimbursement from the design team. Board members said they are negotiating with the contractor/engineer to recover some or all of the cost.

Timeline and impact: Board members said approving the change order promptly will avoid delaying the auditorium’s opening into November; if the board had not approved the change order, installation would have been delayed and some classes would have needed alternate spaces. Facilities staff and board members said they expect the auditorium to open by mid to late October if the work proceeds.

Ending: The vote moves the project forward while preserving the district’s legal claims to seek reimbursement for the omission and additional costs.
","The Pennsbury School Board voted 6–1 Aug. 21 to approve a $47,298.34 change order to install auditorium aisle lighting at Charles Behn Middle School, and the board directed staff to pursue reimbursement from the design team.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6482539,"Pennsbury board restores Penwood targeted school improvement plan to consent agenda and approves it",82,2762000,2844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653820-ff96ab2031e528eaa749c7b436407a3f&start=2762&end=2844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653820-ff96ab2031e528eaa749c7b436407a3f/thumbnail_2762000.jpg","/articles/6482539/Pennsylvania/Pennsbury-board-restores-Penwood-targeted-school-improvement-plan-to-consent-agenda-and-approves-it","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482539-ca2927da9df3001d86f9cb3702a87007/orig.mp4?Expires=1769868472&Signature=FGC~KMVr9utM0WGNRj~y2S~oVwl6CPde7PX1VmXB-qTIaFcpdAofjx-T58kVOufP51V41Mbxjplf9IscBffRYFvY5iOgRM4345eUfgUAkyJgogn9zc9VF~~0XvLxpb8PtT2RkKN~bmBYolObJrlDs0ycXQ4WDI13rQDYUk2w6-eibtNBu-2fzw~kUcg1OHmS64BNXE8DsKiRe2ZK3BOzylj0H5ntn2MEA4bO4GgNdkf-rnTvWcfKH-e5gC~1i0qsdJV91seUDzr9YcvC~3WWgVmGl8jq06ZUoHx8syE5oRV~ycMeVXdkaFNnAHyQSWXECTK0J1UvySaQiY5H38k-kA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennsbury School Board
Aug. 21, 2025

The Pennsbury School Board voted unanimously Aug. 21 to take the Penwood Targeted School Improvement Plan from the table and approve it as part of the meeting’s consent agenda.

Board action: The motion to take the Penwood plan from the table and add it to the consent agenda passed on a roll-call vote of 7–0. Board members recorded in the roll call were Miss Arians (yes), Dr. Delwich (yes), Mr. Kanaan (yes), Mrs. Lamming (yes), Ms. Petraco (yes), Mr. Taylor (yes) and Dr. Steer (yes).

Context: The item had been tabled at the previous action meeting to allow more time for the school community to review the plan. During the Aug. 21 meeting, the education committee chair noted the item had been tabled to ensure adequate public review and confirmed a clarifying change in the committee meeting schedule.

Ending: The plan was approved as part of the consent agenda; there was no extended public debate recorded during the Aug. 21 vote after the item was taken from the table.","The Pennsbury School Board voted Aug. 21 to take the Penwood targeted school improvement plan off the table and approve it as part of the consent agenda; the motion passed 7–0.",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6482544,"Parents say Pennsbury middle-school block scheduling is shrinking music participation; district disputes figures",2137,2349000,4486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653820-ff96ab2031e528eaa749c7b436407a3f&start=2349&end=4486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653820-ff96ab2031e528eaa749c7b436407a3f/thumbnail_2349000.jpg","/articles/6482544/Pennsylvania/Parents-say-Pennsbury-middle-school-block-scheduling-is-shrinking-music-participation-district-disputes-figures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482544-26e7ab98404becba178be3d79e179ce2/orig.mp4?Expires=1769868472&Signature=eMhxBvaTBpbf4n47HtcjAePJrwuPU0xlMKNf6eCO-NSyrvya5M7o78UuOAq58IWelEy3e77F-oBqhVJgKiT9ygnlCQU2m7dK~MPJzCHdOmLgAjAFf6oJI1OJXCB2hAyyoEubtoOkMiW3qpamBEeUPlQL0y2hFUXqBsuQBU5X54-MznxP2MQHAKJHo9EJ9m-vHnE3obYU5dUcopLC9-WiH4qo3mvEz5IR4xJdnCu3dsMWltjOzuotzgc3qMB6txcPdUei2N7ZmDn4WXqQXK~9Cj8Kz-q1Zu2-8aBv0cdC7DsHUQduzXzfEHlyIgpzelfScWuDqwqYaZPRMOQBvnlq1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennsbury School Board
Aug. 21, 2025

Parents and students told the Pennsbury School Board on Aug. 21 that changes to middle-school schedules and to how music classes are organized have reduced student participation in choir, orchestra and band and contributed to teacher turnover.

At the meeting, Tim Mitchell of Falls Township said a recent right-to-know request showed sharp declines at Pennwood Middle School in choir enrollment, and he described how alternating-day scheduling can leave some students attending ensemble classes far less frequently than their peers. “In Pennwood…145 kids were in chorus last year. This year, 84,” Mitchell said, describing that as a 42% reduction in the chorus at that school.

Why it matters: Parents and commenters said cohesive rehearsal time is essential for ensemble work and warned that reduced minutes together will degrade musical offerings and extracurricular performances. Several speakers tied scheduling to recent resignations of music staff and urged the district to preserve consistent ensemble time.

District response and records: Dr. Brown said the central office does not collect middle-school participation data in the same way the speakers described and said that, until this school year, participation was not technically a registered PowerSchool course. “This year, for 25–26, students selected a course. Therefore, there’s a record that exists in PowerSchool,” Brown said, adding that participation across the three middle schools is “consistent with where it has been in prior years.”

Board clarification and procedures: Board members said a 30-day extension was requested for one right-to-know request rather than a denial. Dr. Smith, in an earlier report, described the district’s preparations for the start of the school year and said administrators are continuing to monitor start times, transportation and staffing.

What the commenters asked for: Parents urged the board to review block scheduling practices, provide transparent enrollment and budget data for music programs, and consider schedule or staffing changes to preserve ensemble continuity. Amy Edgel, a Falls Township parent, said two music teachers had resigned and that students and families were anxious about whether musicals and honors choir would proceed.

What the district said it will do: Brown invited parents to meet to review assessments, curriculum and block-scheduling details, and he described the change in how the district will record ensemble participation in PowerSchool for the current school year.

Ending: The board did not take formal action on scheduling or music staffing at the Aug. 21 meeting. Several parents asked the district to provide clearer, itemized budget and participation data; the board said it would address records requests and offered follow-up meetings with district staff.
","Several Pennsbury parents told the school board Aug. 21 that recent schedule changes have reduced middle-school participation in choir, orchestra and band. District officials said districtwide enrollment in music ensembles is consistent with prior years and said official records will now be kept in PowerSchool.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press Pennsbury on ESSER-funded webcams; district cites federal rules and plans a limited sale test

Pennsbury approves $47,298 change order for Charles Behn auditorium aisle lighting; board will seek reimbursement

Pennsbury board restores Penwood targeted school improvement plan to consent agenda and approves it

Parents say Pennsbury middle-school block scheduling is shrinking music participation; district disputes figures