[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6460890,"mediaKeyId","5826534-db5532a85d3f871fe0194da5a50305d8","parentId",5826534,"title","Pottsgrove board approves design phase for athletic complex; financial advisor outlines borrowing options","audioSeconds",6681,"startMs",404000,"endMs",7085000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826534-db5532a85d3f871fe0194da5a50305d8&start=404&end=7085","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826534-db5532a85d3f871fe0194da5a50305d8/thumbnail_404000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6460890/Pennsylvania/Pottsgrove-board-approves-design-phase-for-athletic-complex-financial-advisor-outlines-borrowing-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460890-35c9a66be866ea45399b3a76816768bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024696&Signature=BcLFhfZQseZMm-PCKMmHmuXouZXiE6yuOcXG1UbPGDUg~2JdeRW9QcfixuSzBdyHlWK9EcYZtVu-psFNrMl3UmzpR6JQAC39S-ksSUZoR3jbOcxeR0FnJttC~pymO363UVRrqYRcelM-Rsji8s3JBHhdBUfxo6O~S~5H6unNZHh~goGLNkZNcviVtT5hORDbRhBh3VCTwgKwDR8NYoGCl2L2Ob03Ofzumzjuza1FFF6gQyDgHJpWJHuC3Hlb3m9MsLng3rF0-mSznzGq4h1pCq7LfM9HcurowbTKArVrnLnC3EE6gTet~EZMjjsgXl0uG~KurnB9mtSY378M6K4dyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pottsgrove School District","date","2025-09-25T15:06:18.843Z","article","The Pottsgrove School Board on Sept. 23 authorized the district to proceed with the design phase of a proposed athletic complex renovation and reviewed financing options presented by PFM Financial Advisors.

Jamie Doyle of PFM told trustees the district is well positioned to borrow on a tax‑exempt basis given current market conditions and outlined an analysis of an $8,995,000 potential borrowing to fund the project. Doyle described three IRS tests that affect tax‑exempt financings — reasonable expectations for spending, entering a substantial binding obligation within six months to spend at least 5% of proceeds, and proceeding with due diligence — and said the district would qualify for the \"small issuer\" exception because planned borrowings would be under the $15 million calendar‑year threshold.

\"This evening is an initial presentation to the board,\" Doyle said, adding that the district would have several structuring options if it chose to enter the market. He described a possible 13‑year financing with a \"pro rata wrap\" structure that phases new debt service to align with scheduled drop‑offs in the district’s existing debt portfolio. Doyle also explained capitalized interest options that would phase debt‑service costs into future budget years and highlighted the potential to earn positive arbitrage if investment yields exceed borrowing costs.

Trustees asked about timing and urgency. A board member asked whether there was immediate pressure to use 2025 calendar‑year limits; Doyle said only if the board wanted to capture the current calendar‑year bank‑qualified or small‑issuer advantages. \"Not unless you want to use the $10,000,000 limit for '25,\" he said. Doyle also noted that the district’s existing debt issues have scheduled drop‑offs in 2029, 2030, 2031 and 2033 that give flexibility in structuring new debt.

Board members voted to approve two design‑phase contracts (agenda item 9.1) — one with the construction manager and one with the architect — subject to solicitor review. Trustees did not approve the full estimated $13.6 million project; board members emphasized the vote authorized only design work. \"To be clear, there's another decision point once the design process is finished,\" a board member said during deliberations.

Doyle reviewed a sample timeline: if the board adopted a parameters resolution at a future meeting (the adviser cited Nov. 11 as an example), the district could enter the market immediately afterward and, if timing allowed, settle by mid‑December to take advantage of calendar‑year limitations. He cautioned that timing, market conditions and the final project scope would determine the ultimate borrowing amount and interest costs.

The board approved several related items during the meeting: the consent‑agenda personnel items; contracts for substitute nursing services and communications for three elevators (agenda items 9.2–9.3); creation of an athletics Instagram account (9.4); and the design contracts (9.1). The design contracts carry a maximum not‑to‑exceed estimate of $13.6 million for the concept presented, but board members and presenters said the final scope and cost could be reduced during design development.

What this means: the vote allows architects and the construction manager to develop drawings, cost estimates and phased options. A later vote would be required to proceed to construction or to issue debt. The finance presentation left open multiple financing paths — borrowing under small‑issuer limits, engaging a bank‑qualified structure or pursuing a parameters resolution to lock in timing — and stressed that choosing to enter the market would be a separate decision after design work narrows scope and cost.

The board’s next regular meeting is Oct. 14, when administrators said they could return with additional documents and, if the board chooses, a parameters resolution to authorize finance staff to enter the market on predetermined terms.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pottsgrove School Board Meeting Sept. 23rd, 2025 \"Improved Audio\" Version","oneSentenceSummary","The school board approved contracts to move forward with design work for an athletic‑complex renovation; PFM presented financing options including an $8.995 million borrowing scenario and explained IRS rules that affect timing and interest rates.","taxTitle","Pottsgrove SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",65793,"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},6460895,"Parents and teachers press Pottsgrove School Board over repeated violent classroom behavior; board pledges review and follow-up",4917,1566000,6483000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826534-db5532a85d3f871fe0194da5a50305d8&start=1566&end=6483","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826534-db5532a85d3f871fe0194da5a50305d8/thumbnail_1566000.jpg","/articles/6460895/Pennsylvania/Parents-and-teachers-press-Pottsgrove-School-Board-over-repeated-violent-classroom-behavior-board-pledges-review-and-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460895-db31ac7730fb2ad65cb5844bee4c5eb2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024696&Signature=hLYP9u9MykEf2DhQM8L2V-psOXAPY-Ju9YRez1yy4viq02Cpnhx4SegvEWQug6q3MR9pfqCn-elLgx5Y9iq4wBY1L1YAhdSxWWB80OEnIqVrb~2D8eE6LpsezyPCrtgEVwybYuLR9IK6S-bxIeVyQP5e~eYhRPMTOIS9jagrIiDEv9Uqd4m4Oeu88-wvTZqquLnl2Il3cdfwNcIXB5Ge3wV5-ilI0WpwmLPAiVBmwgFy9wbV9mVVKE3Puo8flR~DsCKWtis3Yy3V9PzlNMVWIY~pZ-BFEBzJqLmBqv5a7S~dCBaDpkkwPuzq6d5Z2AnqKAsmvT4kfDy1NxfGdjzwew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of parents, teachers and staff told the Pottsgrove School Board on Sept. 23 that repeated violent and disruptive behavior at Ringing Rocks Elementary School is making classrooms unsafe for students and staff.

The public-comment period at the school board’s September meeting ran for more than an hour as residents described assaults on students and staff, classroom evacuations and what several speakers called a lack of timely communication from the district. \"I should not have to worry about what's going on in the classroom,\" said Kelly Tresdale, a Lower Pottsgrove resident and grandmother of district students. \"A child is allowed repeatedly traumatize their classroom and even assault other students and teachers before something is done.\"

The comments came during a meeting in which board members also approved routine personnel items and several contracts. Many speakers asked for immediate, visible steps — including additional trained staff in buildings, clearer parent communication and an independent review. Robert Biggio, a Ringing Rocks parent, urged a formal investigation: \"I am here today asking for the responsible thing and formally requesting that the board perform a thorough investigation into this matter to determine what, how, why, and who is responsible for the culture in the Ringing Rocks Building,\" he said.

Teachers and staff described injuries and repeated incidents in classrooms. \"I was attacked from behind by my student… I suffered injuries to my back and neck, which today I still have problems with,\" said Tina Capiello, who identified herself as both a taxpayer and an employee at the high school. Brianna Robinson, who identified herself as a Ringing Rocks teacher, told the board the district has raised these concerns to the board in prior years with little public follow‑up: \"Meeting after meeting, the Board sat here and listened… never did we hear anything after that from the Board or is put out to the public to say, ‘Hey, this is what we're looking at,'\" she said.

Several parents said young children are frightened and are being asked at home how to respond to violent behavior. Laura McCorkle pointed to the district’s discipline code in the elementary handbook and asked why procedures are not being followed: \"We are deliberately being kept in the dark,\" she said. Multiple speakers described students being hit, bitten, choked or otherwise injured, and reported that classroom routines and learning time have been disrupted by evacuations and restraints.

Superintendent Dr. Finney responded directly to the public comments and described steps the district has already taken this year to expand behavioral supports. \"We have added two special education teachers to Rocks, we have tripled the number of RBTs, we've created a new position that is designed to work with students and teachers and that is currently occupied by Karen Ottaviano,\" he said. He also told the room that the district has contracted outside mental health supports and increased the number of BCBAs (board-certified behavior analysts) in the district. \"We are approving another RBT tonight,\" he said, noting that personnel approvals were included on the meeting consent agenda that passed.

Dr. Finney acknowledged parents’ demand for clearer communication and immediate actions. \"I will personally be inviting you to a meeting where we can talk specifically about your child and your experiences,\" he said, and added that the district team will meet to identify actionable steps. He also said the Rocks team is meeting the next day and that the district has scheduled internal planning work on an upcoming act‑80 day.

Speakers pressed for faster and more specific follow-up. Amanda Kubik, participating online, asked the board to commit to a one‑week follow‑up; the board president said trustees would meet at the end of the Sept. 23 meeting and attempt to return with a list of action steps to communicate to families. The board also reminded the public that an executive session on personnel and safety is scheduled to follow the public meeting.

The public comment exchange came before the superintendent reported that the district had received acknowledgment from the Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support Network that the elementary schools and the middle school \"met criteria for implementing school wide positive behavior interventions and supports with fidelity for the 24–25 school year.\" That PBIS acknowledgment was presented by district staff later in the meeting as background to behavioral work underway.

Parents and teachers said they want immediate changes in school safety practices — including additional trained staff, better notification to parents when incidents occur, and enforcement of the discipline code. Several speakers recommended a third‑party review or independent investigation; others urged stronger accountability for families of students whose behavior repeatedly injures others. Board members and the superintendent said they would convene and try to provide a timeline for follow‑up communications to the community.

What happens next: the board approved a set of personnel and support‑staff items on consent during the meeting (agenda items 8.1–8.9, which include approvals of support‑staff appointments and an assistant in behavioral support). Trustees scheduled an internal meeting at the close of the session to discuss safety and personnel, and the superintendent invited parents to follow‑up meetings focused on specific students and classrooms. The next regular board meeting is set for Oct. 14, when the board will receive committee reports and could provide further updates.

The public comments on Sept. 23 underline persistent concerns among parents and staff at Ringing Rocks over student behavior, classroom safety and district communication. Trustees said they will pursue immediate and medium‑term steps; parents said they will continue to press for transparent, specific actions and a durable plan to restore safe learning conditions.","Dozens of parents, teachers and staff described repeated disruptive and violent incidents at Ringing Rocks Elementary, asking the board for immediate action, transparency and accountability. Superintendent said the district has expanded behavioral supports and that the board will meet to identify next steps.","actionData","errors"]

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Pottsgrove board approves design phase for athletic complex; financial advisor outlines borrowing options

Parents and teachers press Pottsgrove School Board over repeated violent classroom behavior; board pledges review and follow-up