Great Valley Board approves revised summer staffing plan, trims about 972 hours

The Great Valley School Board approved two personnel items at a June 16 special meeting, including a revised summer-services staffing plan that trims about 972 hours and reduces projected summer expenditures by roughly $45,000, a staff presenter told the board.

The change, the presenter said, keeps the district’s summer spending more in line with prior years while reflecting the addition of a school and related program adjustments. Board members voted to approve agenda items 3.01 and 3.02 by voice vote, with the motion passing seven‑zero.

Board-level concern about budget alignment was a central focus. A staff presenter said the revised agenda "reflects per diem and hourly rates only" and that some administrative hours that had been listed previously will be absorbed by administrators during the summer. The presenter also told the board the revision "trimmed approximately 972 hours from the first version presented" and that the change "roughly translates in about $45,000 less in our summer expenditures." The presenter added that the package addresses new courses and program development, including the English language development (ELD) program, and seeks representation across schools and grades.

Board members and staff described several procedural changes for future summers. The presenter said the district will present summer hours earlier in the year going forward: "we will begin starting next year or this upcoming year presenting the summer hours to you earlier. We will not present them in June." The presenter also said the district will stop listing extra teachers on agendas "knowing that 2 or 3 are probably gonna drop off" and instead will present a total lump sum of hours for teams so remaining staff can cover gaps if someone cannot attend.

A board member praised the revised approach and its budget alignment: "I don't have any questions, but thank you for focusing this more. It's a lot easier to approve things that are inside the budget rather than, what potentially might happen…we would be outside the budget," the board member said. When the board member asked whether the revised plan was within budget, a staff presenter replied, "Yes. It's within budget."

The board also heard that the district’s hiring process is ongoing. The presenter said recommended teaching and support staff positions are on the supplemental agenda and that additional EDRs have come in; the district expects a larger batch of hiring items for the July 14 meeting. When asked about one appointment on the agenda to replace a staff member, the presenter said the listed candidate is "simply to fill the English teacher component" of work previously performed by Dr. Mazzone, who had resigned.

Discussion vs. decision: the board’s vote approved the personnel and summer-services package as presented (formal action). Several operational changes described by staff — including earlier presentation of summer hours, the shift to lump‑sum hours, and administrators absorbing some tasks — are directions for future practice rather than independent board actions.

The motion to approve agenda items 3.01 and 3.02 passed 7‑0. The board did not record individual roll‑call votes in the meeting transcript available.

Looking ahead, staff said it will continue hiring work through July and will return with additional personnel recommendations and the larger batch of EDRs at the July 14 meeting.