[{"_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",6454662,"mediaKeyId","5871035-ca6953794054a431858a357817aac9df","parentId",5871035,"title","WestEd coaching credited with building leadership capacity and routines at Erie High and East Middle","audioSeconds",1066,"startMs",4269000,"endMs",5335000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5871035-ca6953794054a431858a357817aac9df&start=4269&end=5335","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5871035-ca6953794054a431858a357817aac9df/thumbnail_4269000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6454662/Pennsylvania/WestEd-coaching-credited-with-building-leadership-capacity-and-routines-at-Erie-High-and-East-Middle","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454662-d00092084b19f342435ad259685f8988/orig.mp4?Expires=1776065843&Signature=UAc2CC9eeaUryIIbeFV5RAKFH660JoZN3ZEt5P13w0f~F28GqLvHHUGhh3bfb5H9QYjsQDHs-K-KY6ZfEdxaTzoQC-978NeHapdVWiXvfFCKSkoOjuqlvM-6sBQOfq61UQuzf5YbJ-vIcQa8kJTBIvpMqHYhxSBs28ogEcSXypFCdf0mmelvgslrURJpVVwUxf07M7zBgP1lmCfWVkblUq4yzCrxfVnZMGU4QyLvX5UkUhK9BecAbVld3Edj1vW5eKsW4ukPcUWVBmganmjVV2r3I2byCSuUFs45rvZEwQF-X6unKXVFc6FY~q3o3eFWzDY6cuAVpNUSzBnXiQyW4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Erie City School District","date","2025-10-01T00:00:00Z","article","School leaders and district supervisors told the board that a partnership with WestEd has built leadership capacity, improved instruction-focused routines and increased staff stability at Erie High School and East Middle School.

Dawn Orlando, executive principal at Erie High School, described implementation of professional learning communities (PLCs), standardized meeting agendas, trained facilitators and a culture of data-driven instruction. “I can't do this alone,” Orlando said, emphasizing shared leadership and the training of 21 vital facilitators who lead lesson tuning and data analysis.

East Middle School Principal Matt Koval credited WestEd with two priority outcomes: improved systems and structures and better staff morale and culture. Koval said building-wide calendaring, active hallway supervision and routine PLC cycles increased operational consistency and reduced disruptions. He reported a positive change in a staff call survey and said 95% of teachers returned to the school this year after a staffing-agreement vote intended to stabilize the staff.

Megan Halloran, K–8 content supervisor, said WestEd coaching sharpened school-improvement planning, walkthrough practices and coaching for principals and assistant principals. District leaders told the board that the structures and language developed during the WestEd engagement are intended to be spread across other schools through the district’s leadership and coaching routines.

Board members asked whether the WestEd work should have produced earlier changes in assessment metrics; district leaders said the systems are taking root and that instructional shifts at scale take time to yield measurable student gains. Dr. Gibbs said the practices “have to continue to evolve” and framed WestEd work as building essential capacity that now must be sustained and monitored.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Directors Meeting October 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District staff and school leaders reported that a yearlong partnership with WestEd produced shared professional learning structures, stronger PLCs, improved staff morale and staffing stability at Erie High School and East Middle School; district plans to scale the practices.","taxTitle","Erie City SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",14585,"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},6454668,"Erie City SD superintendent calls PSSA results a mandate for urgent action as proficiency falls",754,3080000,3834000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5871035-ca6953794054a431858a357817aac9df&start=3080&end=3834","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5871035-ca6953794054a431858a357817aac9df/thumbnail_3080000.jpg","/articles/6454668/Pennsylvania/Erie-City-SD-superintendent-calls-PSSA-results-a-mandate-for-urgent-action-as-proficiency-falls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454668-61cb616fa67147ed3c78364921d0e989/orig.mp4?Expires=1776065843&Signature=Nq1ZyjdXXjCY4LzgPkEnjvXWgoOpFToOProeGyQII~onyAMuKBpvfyX5-tx82d7~Ioq3DZpRoZXVDZukGlkjkK7cBoeiqXD~9bM3MtakI9vmwP-z6r1UHzznJcImUPcbhuOANNcU2RDDwNqjEVB84RoETNtmIV8SE-vHmefHqceoRyu6Lg4uPy7Ivbu6mSZ5hfy~8MqYQTm8yGW2jk-noloGFchHNXlJDSNY1Rz3UVSLE52YdCZiD~bnX8Np9KHNE6z4QalPBfGyQpaK36SQdNlWN9qtbVnBspFlP-T5iJqwQdcPDxph9O5~dQyVsltWiFPDwdLamTwZWdxdEf8mKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Gibbs, Erie City School District superintendent, described the district’s latest Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and Keystone results as “a clear mandate to move beyond incremental steps and implement focus, high impact practices.”

In a data-focused presentation the district reported a participation rate above 98% in both ELA and math (the state required rate is 95%). Dr. Gibbs and staff highlighted multi-year downward trends in proficiency for elementary and middle grades in both English language arts and mathematics; third and fifth grades showed notable increases in the below-basic category. In Keystones, algebra proficiency rose slightly (+4.3 percentage points) and literature saw a minor increase (+0.2), but overall most students remained in the below-basic range across algebra, biology and literature.

Non-academic indicators drew attention as well. The superintendent reported a districtwide chronic absenteeism rate that has remained steady overall while elementary rates improved and middle-school rates worsened. Graduation rates have declined over the last two years; presentation data showed the current graduation rate at 70% (finalized PSSA/Keystone data expected within a month). The presentation also flagged substantial increases in out-of-school suspensions: staff reported roughly 300 additional middle-school suspensions over the last three years and more than 1,200 additional suspensions at the two high schools combined.

Board members asked for more frequent, granular reporting. A director requested monthly reports on attendance and suspensions and quarterly updates on implementation and impacts of interventions; Dr. Gibbs said the district has invested in a data-integration platform and a chief accountability officer to produce that level of monitoring and said monthly universal-screener updates and strategic-plan reports would be provided.

In response to the results, Dr. Gibbs described a three-pronged strategy that will use a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) to stabilize foundational skills, close proficiency gaps and maximize potential districtwide. She said the district will focus immediate work on curriculum and instruction, leadership and coaching, and family connection, and will align that work through the district strategic plan and the MTSS framework. Board members called for maintaining visibility on these metrics at each meeting and for ensuring that district investments and partnerships align with the goal of raising proficiency.","Superintendent Dr. Gibbs presented district PSSA and Keystone results showing multi-year declines in proficiency, high participation rates, a 70% graduation rate, rising suspensions, and recommended a three-pronged response centered on MTSS, leadership development and curriculum support.",{"_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},6454673,"Erie City SD committee backs $10 million financing recommendation for facilities phase 2",974,2031000,3005000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5871035-ca6953794054a431858a357817aac9df&start=2031&end=3005","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5871035-ca6953794054a431858a357817aac9df/thumbnail_2031000.jpg","/articles/6454673/Pennsylvania/Erie-City-SD-committee-backs-10-million-financing-recommendation-for-facilities-phase-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454673-28f8f39e4498ba458c10be854b06cae8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776065843&Signature=aRO35ccWB82RwGODply3xYuMH91Suqfy5ugbS0Kl25cBYTih0RJ6nkRxrYme9IGc39o7q2ZkrTDS5pSNa6Hg2gEghvBseFUVb-~79Iu81HUW3SRYsyvZq8PcAJLVxk65esmB5~PlLI2HPbxTt-nsQtWDCnhRF-pSDj4hnJdQfeFWIgl2Z-1-pTZiPVXjWDbHbhPzdge7DT3lDg9tH-e0Ljx9vIll-PQQEEbduZuUzVJYUkrp1S5DEmhKom-T-~GQbUB6t1yAwpwF8PQMR7NDztGJp60sYH-~xnt8vvydkm4izIlW0xjqMcBsOBY2PxnCxKAL7aUSIrq6B427wkHPOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Erie City School District Committee of the Whole voted by unanimous consent to recommend a $10,000,000 bank-qualified borrowing to the full board as the next step in financing phase 2 of the district's facilities plan.

Melissa Mays, a managing presenter from Public Financial Management (PFM), told the committee the recommended approach emphasizes gradual borrowing and maximizing the bank-qualified $10 million limit for calendar year 2025. Mays said the district’s long-term interest-rate environment is “at the 30-year historic average” and described a phased strategy intended to smooth future debt-service obligations rather than trigger larger spikes later.

The recommendation follows the district’s December 2024 municipal bond issuance and an earlier multi-step financing illustration presented last year. PFM presented two illustrative pathways: a larger near-term borrowing that would have reduced long-term refinancing flexibility and a $10 million bank-qualified option that preserves a five-year call feature and limits near-term incremental debt-service impact. In the $10 million illustration, PFM estimated an incremental debt-service need of about $141,000 in calendar year 2026 and roughly $673,000 in 2027 under the shown cadence.

Board members asked for clarifications about how future debt interacts with state reimbursement and existing call dates; Mays pointed to a known “blip” in district debt service in 2031–2032 and said refinancing opportunities in 2029 could smooth that period. A committee member asked whether the smaller borrowing meant the district would end up borrowing more overall; Mays explained that the total borrowed across the life of the plan can be larger under the phased approach because of shorter investment periods for district cash balances, not because the district must borrow an extra principal amount.

The committee directed staff to place the $10,000,000 recommendation on the October 8 regularly scheduled board agenda and noted that formal debt approval via resolution would return to the board on Nov. 12, with district legal and finance staff working with PFM and the underwriter to finalize parameters. The committee discussed parameter language and the calendar-year treatment of the bank-qualified limit; PFM emphasized that the $10,000,000 bank-qualified status is a calendar-year measure and can be evaluated annually.

Next steps: staff and PFM will prepare a draft resolution and bond parameters for board consideration on Nov. 12. The committee did not adopt a final financing ordinance at the meeting; it provided a recommendation to the full board.","At a Committee of the Whole meeting, the Erie City School District heard a presentation from Public Financial Management on options to fund phase 2 of the district's facilities plan and gave consent to recommend a $10,000,000 bank-qualified borrowing to the full board; formal approval is scheduled for Nov. 12.",{"_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},6454652,"Board advised to place a disabled-veteran tax-exoneration request on next meeting agenda",132,6664000,6796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5871035-ca6953794054a431858a357817aac9df&start=6664&end=6796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5871035-ca6953794054a431858a357817aac9df/thumbnail_6664000.jpg","/articles/6454652/Pennsylvania/Board-advised-to-place-a-disabled-veteran-tax-exoneration-request-on-next-meeting-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454652-aa26b3c1134bad2ef6c9423eaefd389b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776065843&Signature=M55Oxjbh00MuQUmpNlrnbx~4DxEGkHyZkvP1ahZsWtk7vt90QiIPYRVUGsepmtjs9s9OXkaYswawJtq8UG-ELUC~DTs2UGE3ue2nO-A3NESj7G4k3n~r8zGa5GsTFN2dnYvoyPo-vp4Lm9ZxSoPLY2E4xD0dPTY5-ley~2kfuBGRTPXf5e3lorxUUFpckbdO2N1Mrv~jZn-GGlyNE4wFpZlv-EfRUF0AbZ~fI-mMCeNWhoqO4rdS9ccV1dCKXYu2bC-oTbH925Sbjj-aFVi5EXUXbObSZjRaCBYHz3MkqdFSkuKEk5DHUN7tve9fWY72yGy4plUG~5gEcmLXm-s-Xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District counsel briefed the Committee of the Whole on a request to exonerate outstanding 2024 property taxes for the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran.

Attorney Wachter (district counsel) said family members contacted County Councilman Rob Copeland about the property owned by Carol Ford, whose late husband Douglas Ford was a disabled Vietnam veteran. The family has applied for and received the 2025 disabled-veterans property-tax exemption going forward, but $1,388.65 remained outstanding for 2024 plus penalties and fees. Counsel said the county is awaiting the district’s action and requested that the district exonerate the 2024 charges.

Wachter noted the district typically does not recommend tax exonerations requested by taxpayers but that the office was making an exception because the homeowner is eligible for the exemption going forward. The board did not vote; counsel said staff would place the exoneration request on the next regular meeting agenda for formal action and would notify the county.","District counsel reported a request to exonerate outstanding 2024 property taxes totaling $1,388.65 plus fees for a veteran’s surviving spouse; the homeowner has the 2025 exemption in place and the county is awaiting the district’s action. Staff will place the item on the next board agenda.",{"_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},6454658,"Electric bus launch delayed after Hyland reports charge-port locations misplaced on delivered buses",641,5587000,6228000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5871035-ca6953794054a431858a357817aac9df&start=5587&end=6228","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5871035-ca6953794054a431858a357817aac9df/thumbnail_5587000.jpg","/articles/6454658/Pennsylvania/Electric-bus-launch-delayed-after-Hyland-reports-charge-port-locations-misplaced-on-delivered-buses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454658-bf166cba24c0d97cd06f858f4411dc22/orig.mp4?Expires=1776065843&Signature=Uw3vYoyII0LVmys5JG76tCaBz0qwT6bFppxBfvYQIRZ1mWBk6qH24IeecUHGBknz0Lw~MzhcJcJETI3MXl63bDN7eSIqJYmj8xKkw~3ZCeN8SA68ti-lNDzmZy7Z4uryz9GWVS~Duj8gQdY4UPtqQ2r1wVwR8uJgYXbmdYkFK0YWKQq6L~8BEr4W-ubUMJBpD9Psu-TLrsZQTCDKy60LFPJgB9pUhMGdsIklP3KsxcVqh5OsZtdIAHHWtKJn0OJITSm7SVeHKpoT2E5qa1NwBv6n-CsRwEznTrP6USUOvNfLfHHJSQId4bYFtISY-Amg4Vpa1g311mEoB5N~7xB6Nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hyland representatives told the Erie City School District Committee of the Whole that 12 electric Type C buses and 12 depot chargers have been delivered and installed at the district depot, but a manufacturing/dealer error requires relocating the buses’ charging ports and will delay the initially planned October launch.

Zoe Mahmood, Hyland customer success manager, said the buses were delivered to ensure eligibility for tax credits and that the depot chargers are in place, but she reported a “hiccup” on arrival: “the buses have their charge port locations in the wrong place.” Hyland and the dealer, Wolfington, will work to retrofit the buses so the charge ports align with the depot chargers; Hyland said the adjustment is likely to push the launch into November and recommended rescheduling in-person training currently tentatively set for Oct. 16.

Hyland described its role as an integrator that handles utilities, charger procurement and maintenance staffing; the company said it will provide a dedicated field technician for Erie and offers ongoing maintenance, training and support. The district has 12 International (IC) electric buses on site and Otelis depot chargers rated at 30 kW according to Hyland’s presentation.

Board members asked about winter range and charging logistics. Hyland staff said lithium batteries lose range in cold weather and that the district will assign EV buses to routes that fit seasonal ranges; buses on double runs may return to the depot between runs for recharging. Hyland also explained that retrofitting the charge ports is likely faster than requesting replacement buses from the dealer and that available spare units, if any, may be spoken for elsewhere.

The district’s legal counsel noted two agreements related to assigning leases to the ultimate funder will appear on next week’s agenda so bonds/leases can proceed once the buses are ready for service.","Hyland reported that all 12 electric buses and chargers were delivered to the Erie depot but the charge ports were installed on the wrong side. Hyland and dealer Wolfington will engineer a retrofit; the launch is expected in November, with training tentatively scheduled for mid-October.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

WestEd coaching credited with building leadership capacity and routines at Erie High and East Middle

Erie City SD superintendent calls PSSA results a mandate for urgent action as proficiency falls

Erie City SD committee backs $10 million financing recommendation for facilities phase 2

Board advised to place a disabled-veteran tax-exoneration request on next meeting agenda

Electric bus launch delayed after Hyland reports charge-port locations misplaced on delivered buses