[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6477143,"mediaKeyId","5713173-b8d61433c359984b01bed76b7eb4a368","parentId",5713173,"title","Downingtown presentations outline Year 2 of strategic plan; district to expand full-day kindergarten, adopt I Ready as universal screener","audioSeconds",707,"startMs",983000,"endMs",1690000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713173-b8d61433c359984b01bed76b7eb4a368&start=983&end=1690","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713173-b8d61433c359984b01bed76b7eb4a368/thumbnail_983000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477143/Pennsylvania/Downingtown-presentations-outline-Year-2-of-strategic-plan-district-to-expand-full-day-kindergarten-adopt-I-Ready-as-universal-screener","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477143-984eba78f32941fa3107688ff0402549/orig.mp4?Expires=1775431425&Signature=DXpbifoZmjxPMm0PQAECVeGQh2yKrvsLk7xFQvHY9UiEL~brYEa2utk5mtP7vpyn-AHvWoScghNlIZmJqnjaM1xvqW8v1cMN37el63jwNROg5XeZOfG3vVqnSFKLbqIk0YoroYncKXPmVeN6u6FjebQDsEUPfMM-uE4q4Ib4cAaR~UY8I3EdAv6SaOEo7Xz7tQEV98P8G8UTen2kq2Xhu1lKzPKURVr1~EIQb8S7H~Ec4R8ISrkVibSBjNshpf7PJF9HFppDDLu2CPqIgmlN17AobFsH6CRS2r2MRpBz~cd2Tvdl5fIntonACryVTGG63jBkzq9mRgFMrBt4I2D4MQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Downingtown Area School District","date","2025-09-03T14:01:48Z","article","Superintendent Dr. O'Donnell and district staff told the Downingtown Area School District board that Year 2 of the district's five‑year strategic plan will emphasize student safety and belonging, curriculum alignment, and new assessment tools.

The presentation outlined several near‑term changes, including expansion of full‑day kindergarten, adoption of I Ready as the district's universal reading and math screener for grades K–6, new behavioral data tools for elementary schools and Marsh Creek, and a district task force to produce a K–12 portrait of a graduate.

The changes are intended to align instruction and supports to data collected across schools. \"We're gonna be utilizing the previous year's data as all of our decisions and alignment with the strategic plan have to align in data, to drive our continuous improvement for student staff experiences,\" Dr. O'Donnell said.

Nut graf: The shift matters because it changes how the district identifies students for intervention and how it measures progress. The board heard specifics on assessments, social‑emotional and climate work, and curricular reviews that district staff say will guide decisions during the coming school year and beyond.

Key details:

- Full‑day kindergarten: The district reported 840 full‑day kindergartners enrolled so far this year. Staff said they will monitor curriculum and scheduling impacts and may adjust first‑grade designs as that cohort advances.

- I Ready as universal screener: District staff said the I Ready diagnostic — already part of the new math curriculum — will replace AIMSweb as the K–6 universal benchmark and screener. \"We're actually... replacing AIMSweb with I Ready,\" a curriculum leader said, adding that the district will retain some AIMSweb licenses for progress monitoring of students with Individualized Education Programs.

- Student climate and belonging: The district will roll out a \"belongingness toolkit\" developed by a student engagement task force and have all 16 school climate teams implement the toolkit in coordination with building administrators. Staff said schools will continue restorative practices training and classroom management professional development.

- Behavioral data tools: The district will implement SWIS (Schoolwide Information System) to graph and analyze behavioral incident data and develop a consistent incident reporting form within Infinite Campus. Staff said this work is tied to PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) efforts in elementary schools and Marsh Creek.

- Portrait of a graduate and graduation requirements: The district will launch a K–12 portrait of a graduate task force composed of students, teachers, staff and later parents and community members; the task force will also consider whether graduation requirements (policy 2.17 and 2.17.1) need revision. A staff member said task‑force membership will be finalized by Sept. 15 and that the group will intersect with graduation requirements work during the year.

- Curriculum review and assessments: Staff described near completion of a K–8 math curriculum implementation and continued work on 9–12 resources, with I Ready providing diagnostic and benchmark data. The district also plans a mastery learning/retesting practice at both comprehensive high schools and an update to the district's administrative guideline for homework governed by policy 130 (the guideline was last updated in 02/2012, staff said).

District staff said the changes will be monitored and adjusted as data come in. \"We will bring that forward to you this fall\" when final state achievement data are available, Dr. O'Donnell said.

Ending: Board members asked clarifying questions about implementation details and committee composition for the portrait of a graduate work. Staff said more detailed updates and implementation timelines will appear at future meetings and in board updates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Downingtown Area School District Committee of the Whole - September 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Dr. O'Donnell and district staff told the Downingtown Area School District board that Year 2 of the district's five‑year strategic plan will emphasize student safety and belonging, curriculum alignment, and new assessment tools.","taxTitle","Downingtown Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",12922,"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},6477123,"Board record shows personnel hires and a minutes‑approval motion; other consent/action items presented with votes not recorded in transcript",13,911000,924000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713173-b8d61433c359984b01bed76b7eb4a368&start=911&end=924","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713173-b8d61433c359984b01bed76b7eb4a368/thumbnail_911000.jpg","/articles/6477123/Pennsylvania/Board-record-shows-personnel-hires-and-a-minutesapproval-motion-other-consentaction-items-presented-with-votes-not-recorded-in-transcript","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477123-64fecd9357b866bef6130747f08c7d1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775431425&Signature=KqkI2k6nkGF~fqEUCGTojGoY~zdzQbQwTn~KqJ27Arym-BIbZdS~UUCNsGidUEoqQZAxDchWAL1CvJaLqBxKxcOf8FkBgt6rQ41WtgWTeHjFEP04ZIwcSkPVpww2~Zj4j4RFsmEcVhh9w-DIHisg4X~y0sJ89oukpDKTeuqtQpof4aP5V1A14rKvipChwMMxXxTlfeN48~Tym5iKUKyvxtS8gh3BnPiVHcArTwQ3j13tQ8H9f-QGuBeHhQFWUChNS6q2DSJgWZ4v3rBLG26-nt5GAGj20e~SsFROfg~trzBMOPiLV41YckZsIrYcLuGaSMWTdIEISqbjJtb5mGb4kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The personnel report presented to the Downingtown Area School District board listed two consent‑agenda items: routine personnel hires for the month and a release and settlement agreement, district personnel staff said.

Early in the meeting a motion to approve the minutes from the August meeting was made and seconded. The transcript records the board response as three verbal \"Aye\" responses and the meeting then moved on. The transcript does not name the motion maker or seconder.

Nut graf: The meeting record shows that several agenda items were presented for board consideration (personnel hires, contracts, curriculum purchases) but the transcript does not capture recorded roll‑call votes for those later consent and action items in the portion provided.

The personnel director said the hires and the settlement agreement were on the consent agenda; no further details on the hires or the settlement payment were read into the record in the transcript excerpt.

Ending: Board staff often process routine personnel items via consent; the transcript indicates those items were presented but does not record final board actions on each consent or action item in the provided excerpt.","The personnel report listed hires and a release and settlement agreement on the consent agenda. At the start of the meeting the board moved to approve minutes for the August meeting and the motion passed; the transcript does not record mover/second names for that motion and does not show votes for other consent/action items presented later in the ",{"_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},6477128,"Student urges board to reconsider graduation‑credit cap that limited course choices",146,3082000,3228000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713173-b8d61433c359984b01bed76b7eb4a368&start=3082&end=3228","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713173-b8d61433c359984b01bed76b7eb4a368/thumbnail_3082000.jpg","/articles/6477128/Pennsylvania/Student-urges-board-to-reconsider-graduationcredit-cap-that-limited-course-choices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477128-259e14f989c7f642bb54ef210e9ba11b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775431425&Signature=MgKKoAJk71sqlmmxRS~Ug5mJJSF7tUNgi6rncOcuGA-YuBRhPxRrhdpJSfFdv6KOkzscpSVlMvQZIPKpTlojwQr49N-D6VBGcI043pLBFbOHkkWwcboSSffyJdV0QIglGx5cjOIF2sFNEI3y-DPKstxFYe7ZM6Nc7kdSZw65R-FP9E6odZHXcwKzliy9Mqme3cYiNXxRb0Isfnkx1RfA6FBRdKwmKNO9eFU1RVHKEfFEjhj0pPW4FEHJODc2ZRnzk1ewmWeUUZX7mr~z9u~sdzJDTAFZm1cD5glCp~E8OCXuVNXaixlmxyYimjot5gc98vm9NHu6HmBCCxYNe8slLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A student told the Downingtown Area School District board during public comment that a district policy capping total credits has prevented peers from taking desired elective courses and urged the board to reconsider that limit.

\"If we really want West to be a place where students can be the best students they can be academically and creatively... then we shouldn't place a limit on how many classes they can take in the 4 years that they have in high school,\" the student said during the meeting's public comment period. The speaker said the policy had blocked friends from enrolling in elective classes and called the cap harmful to students' academic and creative development.

Nut graf: The comment framed the credits cap as a barrier to student choice. Board policy and staff presentations earlier in the meeting referenced graduation requirements and a forthcoming portrait of a graduate task force; staff said the task force will consider how graduation requirements align with district goals and will include board and representative stakeholder membership.

The student speaker was not named in the transcript. The district's staff presentation earlier in the meeting noted that graduation requirements are governed by policy 2.17 and 2.17.1 and that the portrait of a graduate work could intersect with possible changes to requirements.

Ending: Board members did not take action during the public comment. Staff and board members previously discussed forming a task force to evaluate graduation requirements; staff said that task force membership would be finalized by Sept. 15 and that further discussion will be part of the committee's work.","During public comment a student speaker said a policy limiting total credits prevented peers from taking desired elective classes and urged the board to reconsider the rule to allow greater academic and creative opportunities.",{"_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},6477133,"Board packet lists curriculum contracts and purchases including Junior Achievement, math manipulatives and sousaphones",208,2538000,2746000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713173-b8d61433c359984b01bed76b7eb4a368&start=2538&end=2746","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713173-b8d61433c359984b01bed76b7eb4a368/thumbnail_2538000.jpg","/articles/6477133/Pennsylvania/Board-packet-lists-curriculum-contracts-and-purchases-including-Junior-Achievement-math-manipulatives-and-sousaphones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477133-fb70b76850bce401a858496a076b83b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775431425&Signature=j4Nu6VNqHdY-B5u0dGtkqTffH-JV1nfZf2MMIgfcQEozLrb30GfW~Qh2i7o4Sux7kXjx4Rea8TY8s-U77u3IEtXU9SO2x-DNHKzmfjfat6aRLrvRs5jfW2~hQ79EjizY8GipxV0j95fHJtu2Q5l3bBwF5x0G-nT6Ynu4SV9MjzBE4qbnRbeU6FbmQoog9l5QenF8nDtkUZVBINdjZOwKpUBDAoeAvqMFX0Rf4Dqy4msfx1nu9wC5aqviJoRbUJglUaKiMZ7XmQksmFXK~QnJ~2F5MbnyTX-VFqJfu7L1Yw7okfIsOKQjSDTm-JY~jIaLnDjaxfltxsbSfTL4QbYu6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District curriculum staff presented consent and action items that include program renewals, student support contracts and instructional materials purchases.

The consent agenda included: a pilot agreement with Academy Y Tri to provide truancy intervention support (district staff said the pilot would be at a middle school for a cost of $2,800), a contract renewal with Ata Home Healthcare Inc. for individual nursing care for special‑education students (amount not specified in the presentation), and an agreement with Kencrest for student support services for a specific student at $3,219.75.

On the action agenda, staff listed:

- Renewal with Junior Achievement for grades 1–5 economics programming, $37,000.
- Purchase of math manipulatives aligned with the I Ready classroom mathematics program, $68,757.20 (staff said the kits are reusable and will supplement existing inventories).
- Purchase of four sousaphones for high school marching bands, $46,697.20.

Director Grayhob said Junior Achievement is a core resource used for elementary economics standards and that math manipulatives were inventoried to confirm existing stock before purchase. A board member asked whether similar programs exist at middle and high school levels; staff replied the Junior Achievement purchase covers grades 1–5 and middle school economic standards are addressed through social studies courses.

Nut graf: The purchases and renewals carry district budget implications and were presented with alignment to curriculum (math manipulatives tied to I Ready) or student support needs (nursing services and Kencrest). Staff said math manipulatives should arrive in the coming weeks and that they had retained some AIMSweb licenses only for special‑education progress monitoring following the I Ready transition.

Ending: The transcript records the items as presented to the board; the meeting record included questions from board members about program details, inventory and instrument lifespan. The transcript did not record formal roll call votes for these specific consent and action items.","The curriculum report placed several items on the consent and action agendas: a truancy‑intervention pilot ($2,800), nursing services contracts, a Kencrest services agreement for $3,219.75, renewal of Junior Achievement ($37,000), a math manipulatives purchase ($68,757.20) tied to I Ready, and four sousaphones ($46,697.20) for marching bands.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6477139,"Downingtown staff outline renovation schedule, PFAS interim solution and asset inventory; energy and transportation reviews planned",98,2120000,2218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713173-b8d61433c359984b01bed76b7eb4a368&start=2120&end=2218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713173-b8d61433c359984b01bed76b7eb4a368/thumbnail_2120000.jpg","/articles/6477139/Pennsylvania/Downingtown-staff-outline-renovation-schedule-PFAS-interim-solution-and-asset-inventory-energy-and-transportation-reviews-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477139-57f26dd937eea80d22da3f71cbb14f3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775431425&Signature=g37r0dfltj9pdj7PHEkVcieoOIZItorKGTjKwIFS2MaoQLm7FUM13moJKIvy-PqJtmF60Q7wXm1gkJ8xocx81dCFSe2nF24cW3j7MvYveldows5pthZxtSmT~6u6A1vv4w324tnqSBYaeeb0tiGE3taGILGyE-Qe81qs5Oww6KId3o5vwEX8j7xBdqbKVDAyNo~LeWkkcojsiS87NUW~SfJbgR2yuxyrRK3C6jM~24TuoS-mB04ECcDdfZdg8niYgp-vMTSb05A9xXZOvyHO27oY6ctuM7-tqEu~csrgEL5Dh3rE0Ut7wHv0FRw2zjr25ynbxQ8keYE-yhfGWF5HNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District facilities staff updated the Downingtown Area School District board on building renovations, a short‑term water solution at Brandywine Wallace, and plans to inventory district assets and study energy and transportation costs.

Kyle (facilities staff) said the Beavercreek and West Bradford renovation projects are in their final phases and that \"substantial completion is expected at the October.\" Staff cautioned Beavercreek may be tight because of earlier delays but said the projects are in the \"final stretch.\"

On Brandywine Wallace, staff said an interim short‑term solution for a well affected by PFAS is installed and functioning. The district plans to pursue public water, sewer and natural gas utilities for that site.

Nut graf: The facilities work affects building operations, student services and recurring costs; staff described a multi‑month effort to catalog district assets and find funding to address identified priorities.

Other items discussed:

- Asset inventory and prioritization: Staff said they are beginning a process to identify all district assets and produce a prioritized list of facility and grounds needs and anticipate about six months to complete the data collection and produce a comprehensive list for the board.

- Energy consumption review: District finance staff said they will analyze energy use per square foot and explore options such as solar, HVAC and water‑system efficiency improvements to lower per‑building operating costs.

- Transportation: Staff said they will examine route optimization and walking zones to reduce transportation costs. A board member noted any change to walking zones would be discussed with the board before implementation.

Ending: Staff said they will return with more detailed cost estimates, timelines and funding recommendations once the inventory and energy analyses are complete.","Facilities staff told the board Beavercreek and West Bradford renovations are in final phases with substantial completion expected in October, described a functioning interim well for PFAS at Brandywine Wallace, and said the district will inventory assets and study building energy use and transportation routing over the next six months.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Downingtown presentations outline Year 2 of strategic plan; district to expand full-day kindergarten, adopt I Ready as universal screener

Board record shows personnel hires and a minutes‑approval motion; other consent/action items presented with votes not recorded in transcript

Student urges board to reconsider graduation‑credit cap that limited course choices

Board packet lists curriculum contracts and purchases including Junior Achievement, math manipulatives and sousaphones

Downingtown staff outline renovation schedule, PFAS interim solution and asset inventory; energy and transportation reviews planned