[{"_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",6455856,"mediaKeyId","5719057-dfc6dcc78de384a52e9ef90f55280066","parentId",5719057,"title","Votes at a glance: Abington Board actions Aug. 26","audioSeconds",2818,"startMs",3778000,"endMs",6596000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5719057-dfc6dcc78de384a52e9ef90f55280066&start=3778&end=6596","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5719057-dfc6dcc78de384a52e9ef90f55280066/thumbnail_3778000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6455856/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Abington-Board-actions-Aug-26","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455856-d0a11914a0f74a6e952548091cca8faa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442503&Signature=bETtxeROTjuKOlDev3oJAtkmfUgnR300bHrE~PRSFFGdUMug4Le1ak1JWlanRRDx4ADPMGpLA~3dT8JhmFJGipGcm~6lpW38yIYCz4scRUrC6W4qdIfc2Vs3WNcUSDHUV-GgR4g1rWnFEgh65V70A2dIS2Xcr3jvdw1BZfUnOHfrt8-ACUng2JhkPSHEy-0AAiWS6UKg6KkfVwFDYajiV6qqmCda0J5~2bF6Q~IThOz1zAebyk6Nzif5bmrXth9~npNsCwB9Z01gC9zzL3g3Wm4q1dAOFakigNYwq1BqleYbxdadNv8OcKjormnpM4hfAJr7VmBwaRjd4GelvOyroQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Abington School District","date","2025-08-29T00:00:00Z","article","The Abington Board of School Directors voted on a slate of routine and substantive agenda items on Aug. 26. All listed motions carried on unanimous roll-call votes.

Summary of actions (each motion was read and carried):

- Personnel addendum (agenda item 5): Approved changes including administrative status changes, leaves of absence, appointments, rehiring of long-term substitutes and two retirements. Administrators noted the retirement of Doctor Tony Butts, director of teaching and learning since 2018, and Sarah Davis, Willow Hill aide (6 years). The motion passed by unanimous roll call.

- Financial report (period ending 06/30/2025) (agenda item 6.1): The board accepted a report showing year-to-date revenue ahead of the prior year, driven in part by real estate tax collections and several one-time receipts. Business office staff told the board year-end closeout and audits are pending. Motion approved unanimously.

- Payment of bills (periods ending 06/30/2025 and 07/31/2025) (agenda item 7.1 & 7.1a): Approved. Motion approved unanimously.

- Permits for use of buildings and grounds (agenda item 8.1): Routine facility permits approved unanimously.

- Awards of contracts and change orders (agenda item 9.1): Approved replacement server for security camera/media storage (general fund) and change orders including increased terabyte backup and food-service kitchen equipment paid from the food service fund. Board clarified that some middle-school equipment will be mobile and could be redeployed after the middle-school project is completed. Motion approved unanimously.

- Board policy actions (agenda items 10–12): The board approved a one-reading revision for the \"Instruction for English Learners\" policy and advanced several other revised/new policies in first reading; two older policies were repealed. Motion approved unanimously; one policy text will be corrected before second reading.

- Title I schoolwide plans (agenda item 13): Approved (see separate coverage). Motion approved unanimously.

- Confidential student matter (agenda item 14.1): Approved placement action as reflected in the addendum; vote unanimous.

What board members asked about

Board members queried details of contract scope (data backup contents; Chester County Intermediate Unit cloud backup), long-term use of kitchen equipment, how Title I schools were determined (district free/reduced percentage discussed at ~31% districtwide), and policy communication to staff.

Votes and formal outcome

All motions on the published agenda were recorded as passing by roll-call vote with the board secretary's tally announced as \"the ayes have it.\" The meeting minutes show unanimous \"aye\" votes with no recorded no, abstain, recused or absent votes on the items as presented.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 26, 2025 Meeting of the Abington Board of School Directors","oneSentenceSummary","The Abington Board of School Directors took routine business actions including personnel approvals, financial reports, contracts and policy votes; all motions on the agenda passed by unanimous roll call.","taxTitle","Abington SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",38293,"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},6455861,"Abington board approves first readings and repeals as part of annual policy review",629,4529000,5158000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5719057-dfc6dcc78de384a52e9ef90f55280066&start=4529&end=5158","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5719057-dfc6dcc78de384a52e9ef90f55280066/thumbnail_4529000.jpg","/articles/6455861/Pennsylvania/Abington-board-approves-first-readings-and-repeals-as-part-of-annual-policy-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455861-f24e8eaf6a11011d09348990e3b62913/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442503&Signature=ICqlPCyCB2MAt2GYoT9MWP-mkaBAB~3s07eK3UFlwSODqvbcVTzKUevG4UgYKdrXDCw5NshLr3DQbKg7UNKodOOuAyxthjCMMcwn9hcfazceLdst9kux1B67VHX-4RD1SS7rto6Z1pvsQ7Z~hmUTVS6IW5BAYeYEn-HndT6vKbHDDtVDhbxKOxMzVKpT5IivA4iNidHfRp-pTIN0PDgdeUQXG3M4~HuX4JOh4pKi3MUzodvRdkpnRl7e0ca42KYq2CUIf65NlaVucNHDcWXHZA6raYLN2324k5mDoNNg4xSziIiFr5j-U3D1U4Zn8FbsRPK~vev-9SWoPoN7m2b0Lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Abington Board of School Directors on Aug. 26 approved revisions and first readings of multiple district policies, and voted to repeal two policies as part of its annual policy review.

Doctor Melcor, speaking during the meeting's policy section, summarized changes to personnel and conduct-related policies the administration recommended. The agenda included a one-reading approval for a revision to the \"Instruction for English Learners\" policy and first-reading approvals for a set of revised or new policies addressing educator misconduct reporting, tobacco and vaping, employee discipline, unlawful harassment, outside activities, sick leave for all employees, and Title IX-related harassment affecting staff.

Administrators said the new educator-misconduct policy clarifies the district's obligation to report certain incidents to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. \"This is part of school code and direction that we must do for every incident,\" an administrator said, adding the policy codifies that requirement in district policy.

The board also approved repeal of two older policies: \"Personal Days, Central Staff Professional Employees\" and \"Personnel Records Transmittal.\" Administrators explained the personnel-records policy is obsolete because employee records are maintained digitally and building-by-building transmittals are no longer needed.

A clerical issue noted for one revised policy (listed on the agenda as 11.4) will be corrected in BoardDocs ahead of the second reading, administrators said. The items brought forward carried at first reading or were repealed on unanimous votes.

What changed and why

- Educator misconduct: The recommended new policy formalizes when and how the district files misconduct reports to the Pennsylvania Department of Education and sets expectations for timelines and the compliance officer.

- Outside activities: The revised policy replaces a narrower \"outside business interests\" policy to clarify how non-school activities may affect an employee's effectiveness and to set boundaries on solicitation and the use of school time for private enterprises.

- Sick leave unified: A single sick-leave policy for all staff replaces a central-staff–specific policy, standardizing medical-evidence requirements and warning that misuse may trigger discipline.

Board members asked how policies and teacher-facing guidance would be communicated; administrators said topics are reviewed in opening-year professional development, principals review policies with staff, and sign-off is tracked in professional-development records.

Vote and next steps

The board voted to accept the one-reading revision and to move the other revised policies forward for their first readings. A clerical correction will be made before the scheduled second reading on Sept. 9 when the board will vote on final approval of the multi-reading items.

","The board approved one-reading revisions and first readings of multiple personnel and conduct policies and voted to repeal two older personnel policies, with administrators noting a clerical correction to one item before second reading.",{"_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},6455866,"Abington approves 2025-26 Title I schoolwide plans, rolls out new literacy program and MTSS supports",5641,307000,5948000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5719057-dfc6dcc78de384a52e9ef90f55280066&start=307&end=5948","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5719057-dfc6dcc78de384a52e9ef90f55280066/thumbnail_307000.jpg","/articles/6455866/Pennsylvania/Abington-approves-2025-26-Title-I-schoolwide-plans-rolls-out-new-literacy-program-and-MTSS-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455866-28fd1766289bf5d13659234c76e4a7c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442503&Signature=OF7swJAkAFvTZHjzyxqWRj~wJJ4-HzTBUczRNCWZHf4pGVl3V6VcfLIRRCt20je8NFol3tiYL2~bU0IcDOIGwKDU9fvms4VPG64HgRSujbvkHMs7vMDPA2R7DnAQacUBBW~dNCF~KlbtuktH7XEepZTvLj3jRzfi3b-TDaJjEuGsz85XC7MWstR1PxRFFPADRzJqX4B31F4fhwdgdYUOX01RcIUisy5s4FhsTfERavpeyz0UPcQq2fD-5MyG7dh92tiVIBT9CRNYcHNS1XAKgILaaus6yXsUXWv6pLJ9GPB8IcJ-UDd3FsO4c-qOz-3r0DTubc3uWTpmtcZm~vUD8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Abington Board of School Directors on Aug. 26 approved the district's 2025-26 Title I schoolwide plans and heard detailed presentations from principals about curriculum and student-support priorities for the coming year.

\"Each year our school teams come together to review progress, analyze student data, and reflect on our school goals,\" said Doctor Fetter, introducing the presentations. The plans — presented by Damon Jordan (Willow Hill Elementary School), Lindsey Morgan (Rydal Elementary School), Daniel Pfeil (Abington Middle School) and Doctor Alice Swift (Abington Senior High School) — outline instruction, assessment and social-emotional priorities intended to address achievement gaps and support subgroups including English learners and students with disabilities.

Why it matters: The Title I plans commit federal funds and building-level strategies to schools identified under federal rules; the presentation tied those resources to specific curriculum and assessment choices and to districtwide Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) work intended to move more students into universal (Tier 1) success.

Key decisions and programs

- Literacy curriculum and screeners: All elementary schools will adopt the Amplify CKLA English language arts program and use its short screener, Amplify Boost, for personalized learning. Principals said Amplify Boost will be used for progress monitoring and to flag needs for targeted intervention.

- K–2 screener change: The district will use MCAS DIBELS as a universal screener for kindergarten through grade 2 foundational skills, replacing Acadience, the presenters said.

- Instructional time and SSR: Elementary schools will implement sustained silent reading (SSR) daily for 15–20 minutes; middle schools will schedule SSR twice weekly within advisory/workshop periods, and principals said they will monitor and seek to expand those minutes if scheduling permits.

- MTSS and data systems: Presenters described continued MTSS work and a new district MTSS committee. The committee will use a data tracker tied to Skyward and a new tool called \"Swiss\" to disaggregate data, track behavior and academic indicators, and guide interventions. Presenters cited the district MTSS breakdown goal as roughly 85% Tier 1, 10% Tier 2 and 5% Tier 3 and said the aim is to move more students into universal instruction.

- Restorative practices and climate: Schools will continue Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and expand restorative practices training, including teacher professional development and implementation monitoring.

Data highlights and subgroup focus

Presenters reviewed recent state and local assessment trends while noting subgroup shortfalls. Doctor Swift told the board that there was a 4% increase in the percentage of 10th-graders scoring proficient or advanced on the Keystone Literature exam and cited gains on AP English language and composition and other AP exams. The presenters said algebra 1 and AP statistics showed increases in students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP exams and that subgroup performance (African American students, students with disabilities, English learners) remains an area of concern and focus.

Family engagement and equity supports

The plans call for increased family engagement through workshops, an online resource hub, more explicit communication about student progress, and scheduled high school parent-student-teacher conferences. The district also described partnerships with the Abington Township Public Library to provide access to library cards and teen services and noted summer \"success meetings\" that reached more than 50 families.

Questions from the board and clarifications

Board members asked how extended-day offerings would be advertised and whether they were clubs or structured academic programs; principals said both exist and communication is provided via newsletters, Friday folders and direct invitations when intervention or enrichment is identified. Board members asked how gap analysis is conducted; administrators described grade-level teams comparing eligible content and student data across adjacent grades to identify content needing reteaching.

On English learners and access, administrators said they had secured grant-funded and building-level books to ensure students have reading material at appropriate levels. Presenters emphasized accommodations and differentiated supports for students not at grade-level reading, describing co-teaching, targeted interventions and progress-monitoring protocols.

Board action and vote

The board voted unanimously to approve the 2025-26 Title I schoolwide plans and authorized the superintendent or designee to submit required documents to the Pennsylvania Department of Education under ESSA.

Looking ahead

Administrators said they will continue to monitor implementation of Amplify CKLA, the new screeners and MTSS protocols and return to the board with data updates later in the fall. The board and administrators also flagged the need for follow-up on parent conference structure at the high school and refinement of the Swiss data tool rollout.

","The Abington Board of School Directors unanimously approved the district's 2025-26 Title I schoolwide plans after a presentation by building leaders that emphasized new literacy curriculum (Amplify CKLA), short screening tools (Amplify Boost and MCAS DIBELS), expanded MTSS structures and sustained silent reading.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Abington Board actions Aug. 26

Abington board approves first readings and repeals as part of annual policy review

Abington approves 2025-26 Title I schoolwide plans, rolls out new literacy program and MTSS supports