[{"_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",6467377,"mediaKeyId","5796938-c407db623fcd9036051296ea1b6496d1","parentId",5796938,"title","Pennsbury says staffing is improved overall but special‑education vacancies remain; district expands grow‑your‑own programs","audioSeconds",478,"startMs",4563000,"endMs",5041000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796938-c407db623fcd9036051296ea1b6496d1&start=4563&end=5041","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796938-c407db623fcd9036051296ea1b6496d1/thumbnail_4563000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6467377/Pennsylvania/Pennsbury-says-staffing-is-improved-overall-but-specialeducation-vacancies-remain-district-expands-growyourown-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467377-470565b4b505236ec3ef10e40f1876bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775399986&Signature=o3FIvNxIqq1Saxtym9TxpmwTYNxWPfTfttMM3qUpITx1o~7wSy4N4d0~WU4lRZ5b~3niYVItI46-Hrd4N0jv5e7jPSdWPSdY-i8qk9syGSG0yDDyIGrQjPx9nnKNtoy89wg-RGw2Wj-xvcAkRkjJBkXvddY~nCWp5XlSN5aoyKNshLRIINqMbVrRc2hlVO9OzCj48wKQlaL4r3vRl60JnXm0Nf1OgwlRYv~vx6mbrO9eXot5tZrr2SQFIn9RJiLPQFrB0bTHfC9hmnibfhL78Aassk7UgFqEZOPYlY4tlqsdqkZ0Xwr5zF0p0jug-ElvMSaa9I15lucVc3nE7bMesQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennsbury School District","date","2025-09-19T14:12:15Z","article","The Pennsbury School District presented its annual staffing update at the Sept. 18 action meeting, reporting overall gains in recruitment and targeted programs aimed at filling hard‑to‑staff positions.

Dr. Gibson told the board the district is close to fully staffed across most operations. The district listed a total of about 930 employees within the PEA (Pennsbury Education Association) bargaining unit figure that includes full‑time substitutes, and noted that the number used in retention slides (contracted staff count) is lower because it excludes full‑time substitutes.

Why it matters: Staffing levels affect classroom coverage, special‑education services and transportation reliability. The district highlighted targeted \"grow‑your‑own\" programs designed to convert paraprofessionals and other local employees into certified teachers in hard‑to‑fill areas.

Transportation and vacancies
Dr. Gibson said transportation operations now show 87 driver positions covering 79 CDL routes, and the district added eight floater (substitute) driver positions to reduce route cancellations and delays. She reported that all classes are covered and bus operations have made progress since prior shortages.

The update identified continuing vacancies in specialized roles: special‑education teachers, a teacher of the deaf/hard‑of‑hearing, certified school nurses, speech pathologists, psychologists and board‑certified behavior analysts (BCBAs). Dr. Gibson said the district is using emergency certifications and expandin
g grow‑your‑own pathways to fill those posts.

Grow‑your‑own and apprenticeship programs
The administration described multi‑year grow‑your‑own and apprenticeship programs developed with local universities to train paraprofessionals and other staff for certification in special education and related positions. The policy and personnel committee recommended adding four additional slots to the teacher apprenticeship pipeline (agenda item 9d), a recommendation that was part of the board's consent agenda and approved by roll call at the meeting.

Ending
The district characterized retention trends as improving and said it would continue recruitment, apprenticeship programs and targeted outreach for hard‑to‑fill special‑education positions. The administration also noted an agenda item appointing Michael Gorski as chief financial officer, effective Oct. 1, which the consent vote approved.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pennsbury School District Board Action Meeting - September 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Pennsbury School District presented its annual staffing update at the Sept. 18 action meeting, reporting overall gains in recruitment and targeted programs aimed at filling hard‑to‑staff positions.","taxTitle","Pennsbury SD , School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",72575,"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},6467387,"Pennsbury presents $269.5 million high‑school plan; administration lays out worst‑case tax scenarios as residents push back",1076,5268000,4192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796938-c407db623fcd9036051296ea1b6496d1&start=5268&end=4192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796938-c407db623fcd9036051296ea1b6496d1/thumbnail_5268000.jpg","/articles/6467387/Pennsylvania/Pennsbury-presents-2695-million-highschool-plan-administration-lays-out-worstcase-tax-scenarios-as-residents-push-back","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467387-50732c7b49af886a6f89218e17b99254/orig.mp4?Expires=1775399986&Signature=GLAHB-eTvG24yzRSzr4yHuXx5cWNlUUkp-C2s69jbUTY8RDIIWifIvKFV0RNRjmFatkchp7IyNhzpqzFQD5yTChgSdKRWzcvsACKvEcT3O~Z~-dSk-oqbFs0cfG-4M9heZNr9p7vhr5Puxm-6Ks8t77fh7RGiCAZ-qJtYF0fcPx7Zal3JMvfqkIoN4oQYZwTo3HsLVfgY8hgd5FUBCQL0lczkQgDsZfjshHTD2pKLKy4Fm-aNAxUr5fm3EqhthAsEG9yq03JwYWUNSWPrQZQ4yAwQm2lm8oICWGQL9PZEwq4US6Iaabkjt1Hag8kwEADrIZuZbhzj2aP18~eYW71uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Smith on Sept. 18 presented details of the Pennsbury School District's proposed single high‑school project, saying the district expects to fund the roughly $269,500,000 estimate with a series of general‑obligation bonds and to borrow on a construction draw schedule so money is spent as work is completed.

The presentation included a worst‑case scenario tied to the state Act 1 index and current bond rates and showed example tax impacts for homes at a range of assessed values. Dr. Smith said residents can submit written comments on the Act 34 hearing record; the administration listed an Oct. 6 deadline for written comments and directed interested parties to the district's high school project webpage for FAQs and reports.

Why it matters: The board's financing plan would be paid from property tax revenue and the proposal includes both short‑term construction debt and longer‑term operating assumptions. The district framed the project as addressing safety, security and long‑term operating costs, while residents at public comment questioned site suitability, long‑term debt and whether renovation would be preferable.

Administration's overview and finance details
Dr. Smith said the single‑building concept aims to consolidate two aging high‑school campuses into one new facility she described as more energy efficient, with lower long‑term operating and maintenance costs. She said the district will seek federal and state grants where possible and pursue donations and fundraising to reduce costs.

On financing, Dr. Smith said the district will not borrow the full sum up front but will use staged bond sales tied to construction draws; she added the district's planning uses current bond rates and the state Act 1 index as a worst‑case cap, both of which can change and would affect tax outcomes.

The administration provided example household impacts under the worst‑case assumptions. For a property with an assessed value of $21,600, the presentation listed a gross tax amount rising to $4,406.46 and, after the state homestead rebate, a net tax of about $3,996; the slide showed a year‑to‑year net increase of about $130.56 in one illustrative year under the maximum scenario. The district stressed those examples were illustrative and dependent on bond rates, state rebate levels and the final amount and timing of borrowing.

Public comment: safety, land suitability and fiscal skepticism
Several residents used their public‑comment time to respond to the project presentation. John Murray of Lower Makefield said he supported a new building on safety grounds, telling the board he had worked on large construction projects and that a new facility would be \"much, much safer than any renovation we could have imagined.\" He praised KCBA, the district's architects, for involving staff in design work.

Other speakers strongly disagreed. Robert Abrams and others cited a recent geotechnical report (identified in public comment as a Blackmore/David Blackmore Associates study) and said borings showed groundwater and organics across the site; one commenter urged caution and said the study's results were concerning. Jennifer Metzger and Alan Barth told the board they were troubled by the level of detail and the timing of public notices and urged clearer cost and timeline information for residents and for the state record.

Several commenters questioned the tax examples and how the impacts would be felt by seniors and lower‑assessed properties, and one speaker raised tree‑maintenance and deferred maintenance concerns at existing campuses.

Board responses and next steps
Board members and the administration discussed the Act 34 hearing format and the availability of supporting documents online. Dr. Smith reiterated that project reports, environmental reviews and finance presentations are posted on the district website and urged residents to submit written comments before the Oct. 6 deadline.

The administration said the final design, grant applications and future bond sales will determine precise tax impacts; it also said the district is pursuing grant funds and other sources to reduce the borrowing required.

Votes and related actions
The board approved the meeting's consent agenda (items 4a through 10a) by roll call, a package that included multiple personnel and finance items related to district operations and which, as presented, encompassed the administrative recommendations on the agenda that evening.

Ending
The district plans to continue public outreach as it finalizes design and financing. Residents seeking documents or wishing to submit comments were directed to the district high‑school project page on pensburysd.org and to the Oct. 6 comment deadline noted in the presentation.

","Superintendent Dr. Smith on Sept. 18 presented details of the Pennsbury School District's proposed single high‑school project, saying the district expects to fund the roughly $269,500,000 estimate with a series of general‑obligation bonds and to borrow on a construction draw schedule so money is spent as work is completed.",{"_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},6467382,"Pennsbury officials defend Schoology rollout; district to survey start‑time changes in October",458,2539000,2997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796938-c407db623fcd9036051296ea1b6496d1&start=2539&end=2997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796938-c407db623fcd9036051296ea1b6496d1/thumbnail_2539000.jpg","/articles/6467382/Pennsylvania/Pennsbury-officials-defend-Schoology-rollout-district-to-survey-starttime-changes-in-October","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467382-9a89b142235b27d4e31b46378bff12d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775399986&Signature=e-WfKt0LJF9pUS8IwCEW8vf6yjyzYhod08FX8~sXffWkV4MGGyhOchL34wKNuk5kwBoTqm8~qiE-fAkIahXq41in8cE5g29mvBTIGJCFLLXFFxK-rX4YqQfoE1nnu4O0keREn32NeR4MC3v0ku8xF6AEdaFZ3veTw7dEsR9VUXXFFGCK1sWx8shYmPDeBl4JZv4mkrZTtxb5NwTAsrsXAnCOUcgo~oEnB8bZm8b0mciGHgeUojsRxGZN83sMoL28NtJKiTLgVyI7~FbuxXGnLWU94Bm2IldiJaeWgFzE-oz6~9cQrxP2NerpEF9cSuw6CyF7Rm2oDfhMlytfz0tvfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administrators addressed concerns about the rollout of Schoology and the recent high‑school start‑time change during the Sept. 18 Pennsbury School Board action meeting.

Dr. Ritchie, speaking for district technology and secondary operations, said Schoology is part of a multiyear plan to move the district under the PowerSchool umbrella and that the platform had been fully in place at the elementary level last year. He acknowledged frustration among students, parents and staff and said the district had enabled a running/average course grade view on Schoology \"as of the tenth day of school,\" a change intended to address a major concern raised in earlier surveys.

Why it matters: Learning‑management‑system changes affect how students and families access grades, assignments and feedback. The district said it provided professional development and support resources and urged families with access or grading issues to submit tickets to the technology department or send email to the district family tech contact.

Student feedback and district support
Junior representative Jacqueline Gaffney delivered a student report that included results from a Pennsbury High School survey; she said 83 percent of respondents reported being uncomfortable using Schoology day‑to‑day. Dr. Ritchie said the district provided parent information sessions and a family tech hub on the district website. He gave the support email familytechhelp@pensbury.org and said staff are available in rotating schedules across secondary schools to help teachers with rostering, grading and integration issues.

Start‑time survey
Superintendent Dr. Smith told the board the district will administer a start‑time survey in mid‑October to parents, students and staff to measure the impact of the fall start‑time adjustments. The district plans a follow‑up survey in May to compare results with a pre‑change baseline gathered last year; measures to be considered include attendance, punctuality, health and wellness indicators, athletics/extracurricular participation, school climate and academic performance.

Ending
The district reiterated that Schoology support resources are available online and that the October start‑time survey will be shared with families and staff; administrators asked community members to submit specific tech issues so the technology department can address them directly.","District administrators acknowledged frustration over Schoology's high‑school rollout, said improvements were made (running grades enabled) and urged families to use familytechhelp@pensbury.org. The district also announced an October survey to evaluate fall start‑time changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pennsbury says staffing is improved overall but special‑education vacancies remain; district expands grow‑your‑own programs

Pennsbury presents $269.5 million high‑school plan; administration lays out worst‑case tax scenarios as residents push back

Pennsbury officials defend Schoology rollout; district to survey start‑time changes in October