[{"_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",6587044,"mediaKeyId","5723721-42259466b2e6add00c24f15da07203f8","parentId",5723721,"title","Board approves 2025–26 school improvement plans and multiple vendor contracts, motions pass","audioSeconds",275,"startMs",1625000,"endMs",1900000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5723721-42259466b2e6add00c24f15da07203f8&start=1625&end=1900","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5723721-42259466b2e6add00c24f15da07203f8/thumbnail_1625000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6587044/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-202526-school-improvement-plans-and-multiple-vendor-contracts-motions-pass","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587044-c703efd5bfae13eb6c6cec4f60acd841/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140357&Signature=COsET2BnJgphktT2M3h6oqiC-HSwIU--v70kQvumjsYEWYUHprRBTP9bDYDsTLxmH-oH~MaCik0LNpGYRRKph7TctrF1eetD016eeG1~2ltiNrDbjy5Fr-xKOh5tijcziuySWeLSFKDrV6swk2-9MV-8YKDocV8czsn1bFSF5RRg1nueA9FG5ZCeOSVWC6KFjAFBu9DOEmX1X-LGPWxG502WzXQM5u66n8~fWMrAjQ-tt-rBaBFDY--RVNDoXYaZQC-5rsZnvYEGdxRyvH9IC2j~0p4uz8Ou7Yg7EZHurqrQATc8oODwEIDp7XHh01Smk90hS611ipVY0qVqy8MEuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","William Penn School District","date","2025-08-26T19:16:27Z","article","The William Penn School District Board of Directors approved school improvement plans and a series of vendor contracts and renewals for the 2025–26 school year during its business meeting. Board members voted to approve the package of items presented by the education committee, including special-education provider agreements, student-support services and an information‑system renewal.

Why it matters: the approvals secure services and subscriptions the district said it needs for special education, student services and student information systems for the new school year. Several contracts were described as subject to final review by the district solicitor and tied to special-education or student-services funding lines.

What the board approved (summary of motions as presented to the board):
- School improvement plans for Alden Elementary, Ardmore Avenue Elementary, Bell Avenue, Tollwind Elementary, East Lansdowne Elementary, Evans Elementary, Park Lane Elementary, Walnut Street Elementary and Penwood Ninth Grade Academy, submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the 2025–26 year and the required 09/30/2025 filing.
- A 2025–26 agreement with Neiman Associates (special education services); final form subject to solicitor review.
- PowerSchool 2025–26 subscription renewals, not to exceed $126,817.25; funding sources listed as Student Services, Special Education and Operations.
- Renewal of Care Solace services for 07/01/2025–06/30/2026, not to exceed $20,000.
- A 2025–26 agreement with Saint Joseph University Prevention Academy (as described in the agenda); subject to solicitor review.
- A 2025–26 agreement with Star Autism Support (special education); subject to solicitor review.
- A 2025–26 agreement with SignUpGenius for student‑services use.
- A release and settlement agreement negotiated with parents of students (details not specified on the public agenda; funding source listed as special education).
- A contract with Allstills Rehabilitation Services through the end of the 2025–26 school year (special education funding).
- A contract with Vybe Urgent Care to provide school physician services for 2025–26, including medical director services and required school physical services (see agenda for scope).

All items above were presented as motions by the education committee and were recorded as approved during the meeting. Several motions included the notation that the agreements are \"subject to the district solicitor's review and approval of the form and content,\" and many listed special education or student services as the funding source.

Votes and procedure: most motions were moved and seconded during committee reports and approved on voice vote; the public record in the meeting transcript shows the board chair calling for \"All those in favor? Aye\" and the chair announcing that motions passed. The agenda items referenced funding sources and, where noted, required solicitor review before execution.

Next steps and oversight: where contracts were approved subject to solicitor review, the district solicitor was to review final contract language before signature. The Pennsylvania Department of Education filing for school improvement plans was noted as a required deadline of Sept. 30, 2025.

Provenance: items summarized above were presented in the education committee portion of the agenda and approved during the business meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Business Meeting - August 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The William Penn School District Board of Directors approved school improvement plans and a series of vendor contracts and renewals for the 2025–26 school year during its business meeting.","taxTitle","William Penn SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",55555,"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},6587035,"Residents press board on Kirkfield track access, gifted services and after‑school funding as budget uncertainty lingers",270,3066000,3336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5723721-42259466b2e6add00c24f15da07203f8&start=3066&end=3336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5723721-42259466b2e6add00c24f15da07203f8/thumbnail_3066000.jpg","/articles/6587035/Pennsylvania/Residents-press-board-on-Kirkfield-track-access-gifted-services-and-afterschool-funding-as-budget-uncertainty-lingers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587035-898b8a9e06a85907fb850250f1b6a38b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140357&Signature=bsSDcLikNAvvX9VvsEMg1BhJ-Ks9WNysyO2LySRPJgnuNqvmZHEgW-Ep9Ti~oxM3Zw70hgwkj2PGyQ053DCudsy-gCz4~8vRmx-kvgQXIvt6d-9F~l6W2Fmb63YG5Ndl2FD9OxQET-JmN1XPR46wbvJ~UkdPuRc8mDJQxq6Aif9H7S2~WHmRPf923PGMyvM0fplbAGo1RL4d5N2mTCEaDyZk~mZFyw8AUT-kjd0qL2E8tjf3NniQaf7mryNKfKG7QS2T9~9ywH~mqI7DcJUHQ~J58dm0q1hWElTT8zHCQ6-terHdqTmYVYQ2pRQ07-thqHSuPaDQLe1DnSkH1W7iUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple community members used the public-comment period to raise recurring operational concerns and ask for board follow‑up.

Kirkfield track access: several residents told the board that gates at the Kirkfield facility were locked at 5 a.m., forcing older adults who walk early to exercise on the street. The residents said gates sometimes unlock automatically near 6:25 a.m. and asked the district to ensure earlier access. Board members and staff said they would investigate whether a timer or remote control was preventing earlier opening and asked district operations staff to follow up directly with the residents to resolve access.

Gifted‑education staffing at the middle school: a parent in attendance said the middle school lacked a dedicated gifted teacher last year and that students did not receive mandated services; the parent asked what the district planned for incoming students and raised concern that a part‑time posting had made recruitment difficult. District leadership acknowledged prior discussion of the middle‑school gifted program and said administrators would follow up directly with the parent and provide a plan for supporting students entering the gifted program.

After‑school programs and supplementals: public commenters and board members raised concern that after‑school programs were on hold because supplemental assignments had not been finalized while the district negotiates a new contract with the teachers’ union. Board members clarified that athletics and some preseason sports communications had taken place under existing contract terms, but that supplemental roles for other activities (e.g., clubs, arts) were on hold until the supplemental structure in a new contract is finalized. The district said principals and staff were informed and that information about available supplemental positions would be published once negotiations conclude.

Budget uncertainty and state funding: multiple board members and one community speaker warned that the state has not passed a budget and that uncertainty could force the district to consider temporary financing options later in the fall. Board members said they were monitoring cash flow and tax revenue and had been in contact with state legislators; they encouraged community members to contact legislators to press for a timely state budget.

Other operational items: public commenters asked that broken links to school improvement plans on the district website be fixed; staff committed to checking links and following up before the end of the meeting. A community member also asked whether an outsourced agency (\"9 and Associates\") listed on the agenda is new; staff confirmed it is a vendor that could provide paraprofessionals and personal‑care assistants if needed.

Provenance: the items above were raised during the public comment periods for agenda items and for non‑agenda items and were followed by board and staff responses.","Public commenters raised safety and access concerns about the Kirkfield track gate, urged the board to fill a gifted‑education middle‑school position and pressed for after‑school programming and grant activity. Board staff pledged follow-up; members also warned that the lack of a state budget creates uncertainty for district operations.",{"_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},6587039,"Superintendent: district reports 4,364 registered students, hires and technology ready for start of school",701,119000,820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5723721-42259466b2e6add00c24f15da07203f8&start=119&end=820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5723721-42259466b2e6add00c24f15da07203f8/thumbnail_119000.jpg","/articles/6587039/Pennsylvania/Superintendent-district-reports-4364-registered-students-hires-and-technology-ready-for-start-of-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587039-52fc8df502a081e312c848b1faffdbd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140357&Signature=FmKt4YCvrlP9R3XlkNiLEf~wxY4N7WSeEdl5yf~1xu3psJPN7pLLyjjeCae2KFVk7W8kE9aHzA0igx8qyjH-yasyfS4mgoxUQmNsCFYkYCxLpl4irN7MMHB~EOAxQPe~ki~qswlRZQ0dDHWujuuDjI4iYpXzMk7sJSf7lHA-rM79lFgAmcBtN2O07yatUXfFJIZpYjhhhYkj2hcpzo08cEpMEyH1zk8wVUuko3fAGR3VYufNf5glmznqL4WYNHzC14toRgKyke5rnN0-G-NcI6~J1SpRNGbXb61AhqgzC8LZSu-6O~TzCJTsUyy5t3T1GorfQFdSQt2cCRnKhsfzrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. B. Coats told the William Penn School District Board that the district is prepared to open schools for the 2025–26 year with staffing, technology and transportation largely in place.

Enrollment and staffing: Dr. Coats said as of 3:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting the district had 4,364 students registered and had processed 379 student enrollment packets for 2025–26, with about 240 still in the queue. The district’s projected enrollment is about 4,500. The superintendent said the district onboarded 24 new hires on Aug. 21: two certified school nurses, 21 teachers and one secretary; additional school security officers were in the process of onboarding. Districtwide vacancies reported included five regular‑education teachers, eight special‑education teachers, four instructional assistants, three school safety officers (SSOs) in onboarding, and one secretary.

Technology and materials: the superintendent said the district has over 5,000 Chromebooks available to ensure a 1:1 device distribution. Devices were cleaned, refurbished and redeployed to several schools, with remaining schools to receive Chromebooks that week.

Transportation and SEPTA: Dr. Coats reported no current vacancies in the district’s transportation staffing and that buses should be operating with drivers in place; the district also secured 10 standby drivers. He noted service reductions from SEPTA had impacted about six routes but that SEPTA had posted new schedules for families to plan around.

Food services and vendors: Food service staffing is an outsourced service through Aramark; food services staff were scheduled to complete training and be in place before students return.

School calendars and events: Dr. Coats said school opening events included leadership summit Aug. 14–21 and staff convocation meetings that morning and afternoon. He gave opening-day details: Sept. 3 is the first day of school for grades 1–12 (half day); kindergarten orientation is in September and Sept. 8 is the first day for kindergarten. A district back-to-school kickoff with state House Representative Joanna McClinton is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 27, 5:30–7 p.m. at the Penwood Middle School gymnasium (enter on Seventh Street), the superintendent said.

Partnerships and programs: Dr. Coats recognized two summer enrichment partnerships — Camp Rock and Camp Kaboom — led by district teachers Nicole Miller (an alum of William Penn) and Britney Lawrence. He said both programs operated free of charge to families, hired district students as summer counselors and partnered with organizations such as the Franklin Institute to provide science programming.

Communication: the superintendent reminded families that ParentSquare is the district’s official communication tool and asked parents to register. He also reviewed back-to-school night dates (Sept. 8–18) and school-specific schedules.

Board follow-up and questions: board members asked for benchmark data on ParentSquare usage over time; the superintendent said the district could provide three-, six- and nine‑month comparisons and would follow up. Board members also asked for clarification about where school improvement plans were posted; staff said they would check broken links and follow up before the end of the meeting.

Provenance: report delivered during superintendent’s report section of the meeting and followed by board Q&A.","Superintendent Dr. B. Coats reported enrollment, staffing and operational preparations for the 2025–26 school year, including 4,364 students registered to date (projected 4,500), 24 new hires onboarded, over 5,000 Chromebooks available, and transportation staffing in place.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves 2025–26 school improvement plans and multiple vendor contracts, motions pass

Residents press board on Kirkfield track access, gifted services and after‑school funding as budget uncertainty lingers

Superintendent: district reports 4,364 registered students, hires and technology ready for start of school