[{"_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",6501947,"mediaKeyId","5680896-2235c9db8c6c0b8d36af6614af556021","parentId",5680896,"title","Public accuses board director of conflict of interest; board appoints Leah Rasch to Joint Operating Committee","audioSeconds",3415,"startMs",1849000,"endMs",5264000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680896-2235c9db8c6c0b8d36af6614af556021&start=1849&end=5264","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680896-2235c9db8c6c0b8d36af6614af556021/thumbnail_1849000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6501947/Pennsylvania/Public-accuses-board-director-of-conflict-of-interest-board-appoints-Leah-Rasch-to-Joint-Operating-Committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501947-136733477423deef136a5161823febe4/orig.mp4?Expires=1774835196&Signature=NcdpZGjnEcRCJRQ8RDFyiSE3VgzZbS7~eQuPGjrVfR2ZzpWq~thIqJ1ldH9hWd4GG0fuQAwIi0ii9NQ3QAcHoRTtUBd7zQBr9QIXqxHo3H9FhG12-TZ-eCGwB-w6Rg7JT8~qA2eogQgbBg7KsOS~Wk4iGo~WehBZCtD6YztfU5c-D-mFM5EU62JTlp8k3oQUFbkS75PJuNH3HaDp1niRkwKRm-oxFdiXFr3s75qsej12dsnZYjgfEm3fMvdsv3eA-xk3NgW2nI4Bv-iXahKAFPESlnyAUVa7dkyAYpySMBQTlOt-4bQXkOwQ7F~~6uytw0Dof0dhRFWCj~XhX7q6bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennridge School District","date","2025-08-26T13:05:48Z","article","Public comment at the Pennridge School District board meeting on Aug. 25 centered on alleged conflicts of interest at the Upper Bucks County Technical School (UBCTS) Joint Operating Committee (JOC).

Bradley Mullen, a resident of East Rock Hill, told the board he believed Director Chris Kaufman\u0000whose employment is with the Quakertown Community School District\u0000could not serve without a perceived conflict because Quakertown is a sending district to the tech school. Mullen asked Kaufman to resign from the JOC or for the board to remove him from that assignment to restore public trust.

Director Kaufman addressed the board, saying the JOC solicitor and the district solicitor had reviewed the matter and dismissed the conflict arguments. Kaufman said he would recuse himself from any matter that created a true or perceived conflict and defended his service on the JOC as consistent with the JOC's governance and legal advice.

Separately, board business included a motion to appoint Leah Rasch to the JOC to replace Jordan Blomgren for the remainder of the current term. The board discussed the selection process at length in public comments and board discussion; Rosen responded that the president sought volunteers, one volunteer stepped forward and the recommendation followed board policy. The roll-call vote to appoint Rasch passed with all members present voting yes.

Several speakers during public comment also raised concerns about the timing and transparency of the JOC appointment, the publication of names on the JOC website and whether the appointment process complied with board policy and state sunshine law. Board members replied that the appointment process followed board policy requiring the president to recommend an appointee and that the recommendation was placed on the agenda.

The board recorded a roll-call vote in favor of Rasch and scheduled the JOC's next meeting for Sept. 18, 2025. No formal motion to remove Kaufman from the JOC was made during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monday, August 25, 2025 - PSD School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Public speakers at the Pennridge School District board meeting pressed the board on Aug. 25 to address a perceived conflict of interest involving a district director\u0000and the board voted to appoint Leah Rasch to the district\u0000s seat on the Upper Bucks Joint Operating Committee.","taxTitle","Pennridge SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",51485,"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},6501951,"Pennridge board approves five-year contract extension for Superintendent Angelo Barrios",336,4314000,4650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680896-2235c9db8c6c0b8d36af6614af556021&start=4314&end=4650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680896-2235c9db8c6c0b8d36af6614af556021/thumbnail_4314000.jpg","/articles/6501951/Pennsylvania/Pennridge-board-approves-five-year-contract-extension-for-Superintendent-Angelo-Barrios","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501951-a4b08b3f70c6d3522df84419a1339eba/orig.mp4?Expires=1774835196&Signature=IwDWjudcKfnOqCSjEmxln3-UEw4Rfn5itNZ1ogkcS7KChS3eTzbeqfXMfLirfFfgNTE-TcPJ5P8ZZJEO2M7lueUauV9fG1e29wWxiloUYfkrn9hIMyMQ6qJjBmHtJeAom7w44S2ftqrb9czAgz2jaiCcUKU~F-CdEbTID0ksBUZ2HONvQK0YHnD0W3LP~2oUngxJqid7eVBaE5GycndzkMRrPST7-hdKldSBAECb5LyJvIUhJJIA56enLdxkhLrI7MXzQQv-6PLujpRda7GP7u8vdEo7YQP97OPZaiRnxam-wO9GTIAUXgf8GdJmIoOt2PdJt1QiklC7SaPIi9C~9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pennridge School District Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve an employment contract with Superintendent Angelo Barrios on Aug. 25, 2025, renewing his term for five years.

Board members approved a motion to accept Barrios\u0000resignation (a procedural step required before entering the new contract) and then voted 9-0 to hire him under the new contract effective Aug. 25, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2030.

Board members who spoke during debate described Barrios\u0000tenure as stabilizing and credited him with improvements in teaching, hiring, community outreach and cost-savings work. Multiple board members thanked Barrios for being visible in schools, cultivating staff and for what they described as improved outcomes since his arrival. After the vote, Barrios thanked the board and said the district would continue advancing priorities from its strategic plan.

The meeting record shows extended public praise prior to the personnel action from parents and community members who credited the superintendent and the administration for filling vacant positions, raising attendance, expanding AP participation and improving school culture. The board conducted a roll call and recorded the motion as passing 9-0.

No changes to contract salary or other financial terms were announced in the public motion; the contract\u0000dates and the fact of the vote were stated on the record.

The board did not discuss nor publish in the meeting minutes any pending litigation or third-party approvals tied to the contract. No formal dissent was recorded.

Looking ahead, the superintendent said the district will continue focusing on curriculum and career pathways, student safety and fiscal stewardship. The board did not schedule any additional follow-up action related to the contract during the meeting.","The Pennridge School District board voted unanimously to accept Superintendent Angelo Barrios\u0000resignation and immediately rehire him under a new five-year contract effective Aug. 25, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2030. Board members praised Barrios\u0000leadership during the meeting.",{"_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},6501938,"Parents press Pennridge on bullying reports, PACE survey rollout and bus-stop safety",488,837000,1325000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680896-2235c9db8c6c0b8d36af6614af556021&start=837&end=1325","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680896-2235c9db8c6c0b8d36af6614af556021/thumbnail_837000.jpg","/articles/6501938/Pennsylvania/Parents-press-Pennridge-on-bullying-reports-PACE-survey-rollout-and-bus-stop-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501938-0b41aee5bb91d449d190e99df7e2000d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774835196&Signature=CAGOmLL41lOFMqwvlj2z3LD5xqi9lNXuHIBOiyLYTjRl-H7WKG~dvlh9EFySGsrz-MW9oybTY3cUT2lsJQifBSC7pgW~-jRW79ILHeeItLodxecAhJC8UPCnKmcND1kUxlcWgWmNI0eyuILsxOOfrWsOnfGKOzDy-MtFvEM8oYMCcZ7HONwLA5loJzUqRrOa2cPT1chTa5-kouAjb~eeZE8gjT-PmxOGyjNaIuXSrn36-~1J82vCMWbAmb3JyhdnObnJZtVDtQqqpkA94TCpXMXDK3DDFKqUrvLZePS1htB29YgXDCa3BdtKshpeaRoiJnXfcgWJmZf7iTT0xQdq3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple parents and community members used the public-comment period to press Pennridge officials for clearer reporting, improved communications and safer bus stops.

District staff presented a communications protocol and a reporting form for bullying and safety concerns that the administration said is available on every school web page and can be filed anonymously through state channels. The district said reports go to building principals and central administrators and will be investigated while respecting FERPA protections.

Several residents criticized the district\u0000s rollout of the PACE student survey and an \"opt-out\" communication that, they said, caused confusion. Supporters of the survey said it has historically revealed issues that led to interventions (one speaker cited a prior survey that prompted a prescription-drug take-back initiative). Speakers urged the district to make opt-out instructions clearer and to publish evidence of the survey\u0000s benefits.

Parents also raised a safety complaint about changes to neighborhood bus stops with one parent saying two stops were consolidated to a location on Fifth Street and that the change was announced with only one week\u0000s notice before the first day of school. The parent said the new stop required young children to wait near moving traffic and asked whether the transportation department is actively recruiting drivers and reviewing safety practices. District staff acknowledged the message and said they would follow up.

District staff reiterated that the reporting form captures incident date, witnesses and other relevant details, and that anonymous state reporting is an available alternative. Administrators said restorative approaches may be used in some investigations and that not every report leads to disciplinary consequences but that every report will be addressed.","Multiple speakers at the Aug. 25 meeting urged clearer protocols for bullying reports and raised the PACE student survey opt-out rollout and recent bus-stop changes as areas needing improved communication and oversight. District staff described an online reporting form linked to each school and an anonymous state reporting option.",{"_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},6501943,"Pennridge highlights rising AP pass rates, expanded internships and return of cyber students to the district",4574,146000,4720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680896-2235c9db8c6c0b8d36af6614af556021&start=146&end=4720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680896-2235c9db8c6c0b8d36af6614af556021/thumbnail_146000.jpg","/articles/6501943/Pennsylvania/Pennridge-highlights-rising-AP-pass-rates-expanded-internships-and-return-of-cyber-students-to-the-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501943-bc37a428a677c522ab84f69fead718d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1774835196&Signature=PytE~aA8dOMBGynvA4PaATuOds1hyWYtq6ly2SZZ0A~M9cCuF4bbLO0eLZl-NbsavasDO59g1hS3G7zgtPHhQvBvll6I9ChDkbZ92~NgsavQSuAgA85tXK8nHj5BZ5g07fpQbr9ah3KvYZi2kf8aopy04BprLxyo7kuUSNLHHFY0BtLJ5I4Zv28BwbFaSMBzGYo-vjAfMHzxSeMug4heauO2dDLFJjNYCfZMgvQIxO5Bjkgk~TbmN9U~eq-ba9j6-iraeUI5WUiylplig8QGWxYEJ23BZx0CceUs5FhAK6JwuZ2lnGbyt8qsqN~8~Hk8IAx5Rd5pbgEK2hymaRc4KA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District leadership told the board the new school year opens with measurable academic and programmatic changes.

Board President and Superintendent briefed the board on AP participation and pass rates, saying the district\u0000s AP pass rate this year reached 93 percent compared with an average pass rate of 82 percent over the previous four years; staff reported participation and exam counts also rose and characterized the gains as contributing to higher school rankings.

Administrative priorities the board heard included standardizing data collection across schools to target supports, installing new audiovisual and pan-tilt-zoom cameras in the boardroom, finishing a new STEM classroom that replaces the former metal shop, and continuing efforts to reduce operating costs as enrollment declines.

The board approved a memorandum of understanding to start a paid cooperative education program with the Upper Bucks Technical School. The MOU creates six paid co-op placements for Tech School students to work in district departments two days a week; employee mentors will receive an extra $1.50 per hour when supervising a co-op student. The motion passed 9-0.

Administrators said the district also worked this summer to enroll students who had attended cyber charter schools into the district\u0000s cyber program and in-district options; the administration reported bringing back 24 students from cyber charters during the summer and estimated that produced savings to the district exceeding $400,000.

District technology and transportation updates included redistributed student laptops, upgrades to audio in the boardroom and route efficiency work by the transportation department led by Jessica Kraus. Leaders said routes were adjusted to improve efficiency for students, families and drivers.","Administrators reported higher AP pass rates, a new cooperative program with Upper Bucks Technical School (six paid co-op positions), a completed STEM classroom and efforts to bring students back from cyber charter schools — changes administrators said saved the district over $400,000 this summer.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public accuses board director of conflict of interest; board appoints Leah Rasch to Joint Operating Committee

Pennridge board approves five-year contract extension for Superintendent Angelo Barrios

Parents press Pennridge on bullying reports, PACE survey rollout and bus-stop safety

Pennridge highlights rising AP pass rates, expanded internships and return of cyber students to the district