Haverford board adopts multiple policies, approves affiliations and personnel including new middle school assistant principal

The School District of Haverford Township on the evening of its regular meeting adopted a package of policies, approved affiliation agreements with two universities for student placements, and confirmed personnel actions including the introduction of David Ford as the new assistant principal at Haverford Middle School.

Why it matters: The policy adoptions and hiring decisions shape district operations, personnel administration and the pipeline for student-teacher placements. The affiliation agreements expand practicum and internship opportunities for university students placed in Haverford classrooms, and the board approved a new position policy that will be added to the district’s policy manual.

The board adopted policy 301, creating a new position, following the district’s standard review process; the motion was made and seconded and passed on a voice vote. The board also adopted the following policies after multiple readings and committee review: policy 308 (employment contract/board resolution), policy 309 (assignment and transfer), policy 323 (tobacco products), policy 324 (personnel files), policy 702 (gifts, grants, donations), and policy 828 (fraud). Board members noted the policies had been reviewed in committee and that most had no changes between the second reading and adoption.

The board approved an affiliation agreement with the University at Buffalo to use the district as a placement site for school psychology intern students; district staff said the agreement is a first-year partnership and that district psychologists will supervise interns on site. The board also approved a letter of agreement with Eastern University for field experience, student teaching placements, internships and practicum students, which members said continues a long-standing relationship.

On personnel matters, the board approved retirements and resignations as listed in the agenda, accepted appointments contingent on the receipt of required clearances (including Act 168 of 2014), and moved to reappoint Fox Rothschild LLP as special counsel. The board also accepted a slate of appointments recommended by the administration; during the meeting Superintendent Doctor Hayes introduced David Ford as the district’s new assistant principal for Haverford Middle School and provided Ford’s educational background and previous teaching roles.

Board members spoke in appreciation of human resources work to recruit staff over the summer. Superintendent Hayes said HR has held multiple final interviews ‘‘between last week and this week alone’’ and presented at least one candidate for hire that evening who had completed the hiring process.

All motions in this section passed on voice votes recorded in the meeting minutes.