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Delaware Valley SD approves small land sale, administrator contract and routine items; 329-acre sale tabled
Summary
At its March meeting the Delaware Valley School District board approved the sale of 8.21 acres for $500,000, renewed its business administrator's contract, approved routine personnel and finance items, and voted to table consideration of a 329.31-acre parcel pending further information.
The Delaware Valley School District Board of School Directors on March 20 approved multiple administrative and financial items, including a standard agreement to sell 8.21 acres at Route 6 and 209 in Milford Township for $500,000 and a three-year renewal for the district's business administrator. Separately, the board voted to table further action on an offer to purchase 329.31 acres on Route 739 pending more information.
Why it matters: the approved transactions and personnel actions affect district finances and administration. The large 329.31-acre parcel drew public concern over environmental constraints, past acquisition history and low per-acre offers; the board chose to pause that sale and gather additional details rather than move immediately to court approval.
Key votes and outcomes - Sale of 8.21 acres (Route 6 & 209, Milford Township): motion carried, roll call 8 yes, 1 no. The board approved a standard agreement with Michael Marangi and Ronald McManus for $500,000. A board member reminded the public that school-property sales in the state require appraisals, advertising and final judicial approval before transfer.
- Offer to purchase 329.31 acres (Route 739, Danumsbury): discussion allowed; board voted to table the item by roll call (9 yes, 0 no) to obtain more information about permitted uses, conservation options and any restrictions on clearing or development.
- Business administrator compensation plan (addendum A & B, 07/01/2025'06/30/2028): approved. The board praised Business Administrator Bill Hesling for his fiscal management; members noted a multi-year contract with annual adjustments discussed during the meeting.
- Other routine approvals (unanimous or no objections unless noted): minutes from the Feb. 20 regular meeting; treasurer's report; bills for payment (general, cafeteria, capital reserve); personnel actions including resignations and appointments; tenure for Shannon Miller; amended 2024'25 school calendar and school hours for 2025'26; special education plan for 2025'26; and a 45-day expulsion for student 2024'25-1015700.
What public speakers said: John Tavine (Dingman Township) urged the board to reconsider the 329.31-acre sale and noted the buyer's offer implied roughly $1,500 per acre; Tavine compared that to a three-year average he calculated of $6,556 per acre for large parcels in the district and recommended exploring conservation options with local land trusts. Other residents raised environmental and drainage concerns, said parts of the parcel are wetlands and noted the property had been bought previously for possible school expansion.
Board context and next steps: board members said state law requires public advertising, multiple appraisals and judicial review for property sales before final transfer, and they emphasized the sale process is not completed until those steps are satisfied. The tabling of the 329-acre offer will allow administration to gather answers about permitted land uses, township approvals and conservation alternatives before any new vote.
The board also discussed insurance disbursements and reserve levels in executive session and directed staff to continue reviewing fiscal options. Several approvals at the meeting carried with "no objections" recorded in the minutes.
