Upper Dublin SD board approves 2025–28 comprehensive plan, personnel moves and multiple committee recommendations

The Upper Dublin School District Board of School Directors on Monday approved the district—omprehensive plan for 2025—'028 and adopted several committee recommendations covering education programs, finance items and policy updates.

The board voted to accept recommendations from the education committee, including professional learning partnerships, student activities and a high school Spanish exchange program for the 2025—'026 school year. Ms. Sharpier moved approval of those three items and Mr. Warshauer seconded; the board approved them by voice vote.

The board then approved the district—omprehensive plan for 2025—'028. Ms. Sharpier moved the motion and Mr. Held seconded. Board members and administrators described the plan as a multi-year guiding document developed with administrative and community input; Ms. Drennan told the board that, after the required Pennsylvania Department of Education public-display period, the district incorporated public comments and added the Portrait of a Graduate as an action step to the professional-development plan.

In finance committee business, trustees approved a set of routine fiscal items discussed at that committee. The board approved the bid for summer paving (finance item 6B). Mr. Sirota moved the motion; a board member abstained to avoid an appearance of conflict of interest and the motion carried. The board subsequently approved the remaining finance recommendations (items A through J, except B) by voice vote. Board members also accepted donations to the school robotics programs as noted in committee materials.

The board approved the personnel report, which included retirements and new appointments. The personnel motion was moved by Ms. Redding and seconded by Ms. Iannetti. Among the items approved, Kelly Peterson was appointed house principal at Sandy Run Middle School. Ms. Nuske, Sandy Run principal, and Peterson both addressed the board; Peterson said she has worked 22 years as a classroom teacher and pledged to "roll up my sleeves and work alongside all of you to cultivate an environment where every student has all that they need to thrive." The personnel report also noted the announced retirement of Mr. Bob Schultz, who has served in recent years as the high school principal.

The board approved one educational agreement under pupil services and passed several policy second readings as presented by the policy committee. During discussion of policy 904 (public attendance at school events) trustees agreed to a non-substantive wording change to add the word "products" after "tobacco" for consistency with the policy's definition; the revised motion passed.

Solicitor's announcements included a Sunshine Act notice: the board rchived that it had met in executive session before the public meeting to discuss the personnel report and "pending litigation involving the transportation facility," Mr. D'Azzio said.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes for February special and regular legislative meetings: motion moved by Mr. Sirota; seconded by Ms. Iannetti; approved by voice vote. - Education committee items (professional learning partnerships; student activities; high school Spanish exchange 2025—'026): motion moved by Ms. Sharpier; second Mr. Warshauer; approved by voice vote. - Comprehensive plan 2025—'028: motion moved by Ms. Sharpier; second Mr. Held; approved by voice vote. - Finance bid 6B (summer paving): motion moved by Mr. Sirota; second (recorded); outcome approved with one abstention (to avoid an appearance of conflict of interest). - Remaining finance recommendations (A,J except B): motion moved by Mr. Sirota; second recorded; approved by voice vote. - Personnel report (includes appointment of Kelly Peterson as Sandy Run house principal; retirement notices including Bob Schultz): motion moved by Ms. Redding; second Ms. Iannetti; approved by voice vote. - Pupil services educational agreement: motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote. - Policy second readings (including policy 904 amendment to add the word "products"): motion moved by Ms. Iannetti; second Mr. Held; approved by voice vote.

Why it matters

Approving a comprehensive plan sets district priorities for curriculum, facilities and programs for the next several years and frames where administrators will focus staff time and resources. Personnel actions affect school leadership and staffing for the coming school year. Routine finance approvals and policy clarifications keep operations, contracts and public-facing rules current.

What board members said

Dr. Smith, superintendent, opened the meeting with highlights of recent student achievements and announced the administrative recommendation to appoint Kelly Peterson as Sandy Run house principal. Peterson, speaking after the personnel motion, said her priorities include relationships and teamwork and noted her 22 years in education.

Ms. Drennan, an administrator, said public comments received during the PDE-required public-display period informed a small number of changes to the comprehensive plan, including the Portrait of a Graduate action step.

Next steps

Administrators will implement elements of the comprehensive plan and follow standard hiring and transition procedures for the approved personnel changes. The district will post committee materials and updates on the district website as work continues.