[{"_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",5976281,"mediaKeyId","5842886-bab070c10f41cde3af0afdbcebf1259d","parentId",5842886,"title","Education and finance committees present textbook, calendar and policy items; policies pass second reading","audioSeconds",880,"startMs",2644000,"endMs",3524000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842886-bab070c10f41cde3af0afdbcebf1259d&start=2644&end=3524","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842886-bab070c10f41cde3af0afdbcebf1259d/thumbnail_2644000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5976281/Pennsylvania/Education-and-finance-committees-present-textbook-calendar-and-policy-items-policies-pass-second-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976281-9a1423eb6e4817e700108fd27f12ea75/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568737&Signature=B1XmgVXBn52L-nvJArmZ~4-94wsERxwpH0fukqtIS8qwlM15zfb6eEZ175zxmNhmmIiJ3HlMARdexBT1jxXBFiqcUT8S0IF3ywdU8WamXsPymAypa6xjGFVmCPaSFOLVgKig-PD-fCZc6CCAsnExrK4SeksJnN16EtOCUemvAtqRjJTD69qcD00c8KXF8KNGnEArHi2bUp~9hqG8yMOqxo8r~Ja5zV8eZxqv6INTC8RRKkWRaWEkLfyn3Gxi1GJyP9Bzk~4gk8lOPYthbMFMI4OZK~fx035UXJmqZh34zqVwFtgqYatD2xiRDqk6saVYSXdgl2bk9zwX4avSzPmK3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Upper Darby School District","date","2025-09-23T13:49:13Z","article","Committee reports read at the Jan. 14 meeting outlined items the board will consider for action: textbook adoptions for middle‑school social studies and mathematics, proposed district calendars for 2025–26 and 2026–27, Keystone testing windows information, and a proposal to add girls flag football as a spring high‑school sport. The finance committee also reviewed short‑ and long‑term redistricting planning and a natatorium renovation presentation.

Why it matters: Several curricular resources, calendars, athletics additions and policy updates require board approval and affect instruction, scheduling and student services.

Director Britney Williams summarized the Education and People Services Committee, noting that teachers and administrators followed Policy 108 in selecting curricular resources and that the calendars and textbooks required board action. Dr. Christine Kelly presented the district calendars and Keystone administration window information. The finance and operations committee reported on redistricting planning and the natatorium (pool) renovation timeline.

On policy matters, the board reviewed multiple first‑reading and second‑reading updates. During the Jan. 14 regular meeting, the second‑reading package — which included Policy 113.1 (discipline of students with disabilities), Policy 113.2 (behavior support), Policy 202 (eligibility of nonresident students), Policy 236.1 (threat assessment), Policy 252 (dating violence), Policy 254 (educational opportunity for military children), Policy 607 (tuition income) and Policy 805.2 (school security personnel) — was brought forward for adoption. The board voted on the package during the session and the motion carried.

Ending: Administrators said full policy change summaries and curriculum selection materials are available on BoardDocs; textbook and calendar items were presented for board action consistent with committee recommendations and will be finalized in subsequent votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","UDSD School Board Meeting & Work Session: January 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee chairs reported textbook adoptions, proposed district calendars and a proposal to add girls flag football; the board carried the second reading and adoption of eight policy updates at the Jan. 14 meeting.","taxTitle","Upper Darby SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",14584,"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},5976286,"Beverly Hills Middle School describes PBIS rewards days for 1,500 students",539,654000,1193000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842886-bab070c10f41cde3af0afdbcebf1259d&start=654&end=1193","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842886-bab070c10f41cde3af0afdbcebf1259d/thumbnail_654000.jpg","/articles/5976286/Pennsylvania/Beverly-Hills-Middle-School-describes-PBIS-rewards-days-for-1500-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976286-fdd3d4cbe5b8909011524ea2a82f8508/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568737&Signature=m7QcbI0pJJIpxuww76i6e97JNFRz~RSgfJaZWLKhqTQSQ1XKBL8AI3CIoWyjyQ7MObFbqW-Y4zyA~KyvlBdUKSzvDRmgewAOTmKXG5-WVdNa~zkoSAyKEjWL6-CK~GY8ywUheWVFpnBexICtGHd5F~TzSAZqGePFo0vpa-wrdwexpOS1KFJZvaK-SuZUImJiaFRuguqpNJdw4czg9bOvqmWUXpYm9rG~lOQQnxC3pmZodUgFXfvyHL0KwDMk~lzIH0qF2od7KstJbQSv7Q2S9XFloeTLXiLpk2PB-pvagIXzPsvkv27Fof~xHHgSVS8zzms3~41wRhpVFrJGy7f4jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wayne Remy, principal of Beverly Hills Middle School, presented the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program and its quarter‑long Rewards Days at the Jan. 14 board meeting, describing activities used to reinforce the school’s four core values: be safe, be responsible, be respectful, and be gritty.

Why it matters: PBIS is a widely used framework to recognize positive student behavior and to support school climate; Rewards Days are an operational example of how the district implements PBIS at scale.

Remy described quarterly Rewards Days that give students choice in activities and that are designed to engage roughly 1,500 students at once. Examples included a field track‑and‑field day, relay races, tug‑of‑war (culminating in a teacher vs. student match), Minute to Win It holiday‑themed contests, a henna room, quiet rooms and movie rooms, and student‑led activities. The school used logistical approaches such as Google Forms for student activity selection, rotating carts for raffle entries, and classroom teachers leading selected activities. Remy said the program includes incentives for punctuality (a “royal crown” given to students who were on time) and a raffle that included $20 gift cards to retailers such as Wawa, Chick‑fil‑A, Target, Roblox and Amazon.

Remy acknowledged the logistical challenge of offering meaningful activities for a large student body and said staff plan around facilities and weather. He credited staff and student participation and thanked central office staff who help produce the school highlight videos.

Ending: The principal said Rewards Days support responsibility and school community; he thanked staff and the board for permitting him to present.","Principal Wayne Remy detailed Beverly Hills Middle School’s PBIS Rewards Days—quarterly events that reward students for following the school’s four core values; he described logistics for engaging roughly 1,500 students and examples of activities and incentives.",{"_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},5976293,"Upper Darby kindergarten center highlights foundational literacy program; staff note high ELL need",466,63000,529000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842886-bab070c10f41cde3af0afdbcebf1259d&start=63&end=529","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842886-bab070c10f41cde3af0afdbcebf1259d/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/5976293/Pennsylvania/Upper-Darby-kindergarten-center-highlights-foundational-literacy-program-staff-note-high-ELL-need","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976293-9c485f9cbd22e79d714c134f4d8af6fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568737&Signature=JELGp4TIke2xBz0r8u-NfwFJ-C-pSrfes~FZMZdREZh6bnyfBk9uK08SWCdEXdHWuq9vH07x9~yg8VLMhkYWGos6gG1upP9p0FEi9QLQOkfMuDy8loPBWyYUxDPmub8a5b4XzfzihuGDI3gKz-xyzTJFaRnrShP7fRVo8C7xlrh-L9mlK1YnkEIHic3TAgah48CohQlIb5Uxp0zYld0brzcIZyi9U8iI3QGILygaQmsKaOtPaKYDMonxH5zZ2rR-S4qLhxIby0oBEd827S~gCfawfnuB-dtsB7CH6xorprlp-y5Ns8HVhURVOz4ZxhgkCK9Qm5uYpPAfaX20VCQsRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anna Marie Delosse, principal of the Upper Darby Kindergarten Center, and Assistant Principal James Galligan presented a program overview titled “The Importance of the Foundational Skills of Literacy: Every Second Counts” at the Jan. 14 board meeting.

Why it matters: Early phonics instruction and foundational literacy routines can shape students’ later reading outcomes; the kindergarten center’s high number of English‑learner students raises questions about staffing and program delivery.

Delosse and Galligan outlined daily Foundations lessons that begin with drill sounds, include skywriting and whiteboard practice, and use centers and cooperative activities for fluency and letter‑sound automaticity. The presentation video and speakers described classroom practices such as letter‑naming drills, skywriting, letter races, and embedding literacy across the school day. Gina Applegate narrated classroom video examples that showed teachers launching lessons with a clear learning target and using technology when appropriate.

A presenter said the kindergarten center enrolls about 475 students and that 177 of those students qualify for ELL services; the center has three ELL teachers and staff said they sometimes use small groups, one‑on‑one time and collaboration with the reading team to serve English learners.

Administrators thanked teachers and families for district support and said their goal is for every child to leave kindergarten with foundational literacy skills and a love of reading.

Ending: The board acknowledged the presentation and the administration said it will factor staffing needs, including ELL support, into upcoming budget discussions.","Administrators from the Upper Darby Kindergarten Center described phonics‑based instruction, daily routines that build letter‑sound fluency and a focus on fostering a love of reading; presenters said about 475 students attend the center and 177 qualify for English‑learner services with three ELL teachers on staff.",{"_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},5976298,"Upper Darby superintendent outlines budget timeline, tax posture amid funding uncertainty",289,1938000,2227000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842886-bab070c10f41cde3af0afdbcebf1259d&start=1938&end=2227","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842886-bab070c10f41cde3af0afdbcebf1259d/thumbnail_1938000.jpg","/articles/5976298/Pennsylvania/Upper-Darby-superintendent-outlines-budget-timeline-tax-posture-amid-funding-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976298-9bf61f822935b4c8acf09a4b8d85bd15/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568737&Signature=nz7ngWecc25Z1Pnzmk7KAngN5jk5PMPi8MNwrFr6Mn1by02c~Otv6LfiLcMNBzBO2HIVYWxmvaARif65d-g5mL2rszL6oEHQPEF5HKrh1pFixmUgTOiQrvcoZgd3TtVIO1Ok6MQMrFZ6OPtcQd59Oa5TINUXNZUM9P9iu9Ry0cNKjwH~Yvl~KzdCe5fiqXdozodySRh8Bygg1GLU17CrMa71FmTNoUPnF3KUcMysX7pBZ2t0fm4ENNW8B9wivaEXTpNXQOkgjUEcr34OoesLU98Dj3uxMeES2o6H-yLwfKF3GsY89DYWbFfFt0g1UP0ix0TAQYUybAq0C4lyQv5uDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Daniel McGarry told the Jan. 14 board meeting that the district voted an accelerated opt‑out that permits an increase up to the adjusted index of 5.8 percent but that the board plans to adopt a tax increase below that limit.

Why it matters: The district faces uncertain state and federal education funding; the tax decision and budget timeline will determine staffing, programs and facilities spending for the coming school year.

McGarry said district leaders will use fund balance and budget adjustments to manage the process and will present staffing and facilities proposals in April and May. He outlined the board calendar: a preliminary budget in early June, with final adoption targeted for June 17 and a statutory deadline of June 30 for budget adoption in Pennsylvania. McGarry warned that the Commonwealth’s state budget timing and potential changes in federal education funds make planning challenging.

The superintendent specifically said the board had decided to “opt out to increase taxes as high as the adjusted index of 5.8%” but that it would “come in well under that amount.” He said the district will present committee briefings in April and May and that a final budget adoption is planned for mid‑June to meet state deadlines.

Next steps: Administration will present budget detail at upcoming committee meetings and a preliminary budget in June; the board will consider staff and program proposals and the final budget by the June deadline.","Superintendent Daniel McGarry told the board the district opted out to allow a tax increase up to the 5.8% adjusted index but plans to set a lower rate; he outlined the budget timeline with key dates leading to a final adoption in mid‑June.",{"_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},5976303,"Upper Darby officials schedule Jan. 28 hearing as district outlines options for Charles Kelley and pool upgrades",3549,1567000,5116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842886-bab070c10f41cde3af0afdbcebf1259d&start=1567&end=5116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842886-bab070c10f41cde3af0afdbcebf1259d/thumbnail_1567000.jpg","/articles/5976303/Pennsylvania/Upper-Darby-officials-schedule-Jan-28-hearing-as-district-outlines-options-for-Charles-Kelley-and-pool-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976303-196cd733407cbfcaeae20690fb8260f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568737&Signature=PmvDoG4uKWGFo4VhLz8nguTz3f61Xs1cL7ulyX677NxVl7lx4gVAQM6qLcTOf5WDvZ5zcjUV~2ElMkDDtRvBo8ET8XTVveaLdJMlJDaIzfx9VK2~p8zudYWB3Cve5iEuWzOUTwdUutwV44VAJiDpRyg3Ky1GNsdsWUbhVvgW-y7-60PathmLjhIb7TPSLIr1JdNzYcQ53lqo5cknNlQD8AL50w3WzdYMDhbMYmnotvCJQPpWV~ATIWcrbu2qmjHy4VZshIFjjFbCsCeRd1a4Mc44IyUh6IFe3xd7ixQkdXOKJytNw9MK5IeI5UZYaHYv1a5ilauWU82HDxh3Vw661A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Jan. 14 meeting of the Upper Darby School District Board of School Directors, Superintendent Daniel McGarry said the district will hold a public hearing on Jan. 28 to review options for Charles Kelley Elementary School and that an open comment period will run through April 29.

Why it matters: Charles Kelley is housed in a leased, nondistrict building, and the district is weighing whether to continue leasing, build a new school, or redistrict students back to neighborhood schools. The decision affects class sizes, staffing and transportation across multiple elementary schools and raises community concerns about extracurricular facilities, most prominently the Upper Darby pool used by the Marlins swim program.

Student representatives Tasneem Yasmin and Timothy Bijou told the board, “There will be a hearing soon on January 28 about the options the district has moving forward,” and said the district will accept public email comments through April 29. Several residents who submitted comments in advance urged the district to preserve pool access and oppose closing Charles Kelley.

Resident Maria Harkness asked the district to publish cost and timeline estimates and to explain who would staff a proposed mental‑health center and how services would be billed. Parent Dr. Shanterra Smith wrote that “The Upper Darby Pool has been a sanctuary for my 3 sons,” saying the pool provided accessible, diverse swim programming that helped her children reach college‑level competition and that closing the pool would make swimming less accessible to working‑class and minority families.

McGarry said the board had directed administration to produce short‑ and long‑term plans for pool repairs and for improved mental‑health services, and to return with specific cost options. He reiterated a long‑standing district objective to reduce leased space and place students in district‑owned buildings when feasible. McGarry said Charles Kelley currently has a budgeted staff of 32 teachers; he estimated that roughly eight of those positions would follow direct student shifts during redistricting while the remaining 24 FTEs would be redeployed to fill other elementary vacancies as part of routine staffing and attrition. He described an enrollment analysis showing average elementary class sizes of about 22.7 students after the proposed redistricting, and projected that Highland Park would lose about 60 students while Stonehurst would increase by about 100 and Aronimic and Hillcrest would see more modest changes.

McGarry also noted the district’s constraint that it does not own the Charles Kelley facility, and said that because the district does own the pool facility it is feasible to plan phased repairs there. He said the board had directed the administration to return with options and cost estimates before the board takes any formal resolution.

Next steps: the Jan. 28 hearing will present options; the board will hold a follow‑up hearing and may consider a formal resolution if it chooses a course of action. Public comments submitted in committee on Dec. 17 were read at the Jan. 14 meeting and will remain part of the record.

Notes: The transcript shows repeated community concern about transportation, class sizes, and access to the pool and swim programming; the superintendent tied the district’s preferred objective to regain district‑owned capacity and to limit reliance on leased property.","District Superintendent Daniel McGarry said the board will hold a Jan. 28 hearing on options for Charles Kelley Elementary and has directed staff to pursue short‑ and long‑term plans for repairs to the Upper Darby pool; public comment on Charles Kelley will remain open through April 29.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Education and finance committees present textbook, calendar and policy items; policies pass second reading

Beverly Hills Middle School describes PBIS rewards days for 1,500 students

Upper Darby kindergarten center highlights foundational literacy program; staff note high ELL need

Upper Darby superintendent outlines budget timeline, tax posture amid funding uncertainty

Upper Darby officials schedule Jan. 28 hearing as district outlines options for Charles Kelley and pool upgrades