Wissahickon board approves HR reappointment, settlement and multiple consent items; public commenters press on middle school schedule and bullying

The Wissahickon School District board on Feb. 3 reappointed Daniel Hay as director of human resources, approved a settlement agreement between a family and the district and passed a slate of consent and committee items, while members of the public urged the board to revisit the middle school master schedule and described ongoing bullying at the middle school.

The board approved agenda item 7.1, the reappointment of Daniel Hay as director of human resources with a July 1 start date. The superintendent introduced the item and the board voted to approve; the chair called for those in favor and the motion passed.

Solicitor Michelle presented agenda item 9.1, an approval of a settlement agreement between a family and the district; the board moved and approved the agreement that had been reviewed at the prior meeting.

The board carried several consent packages and committee recommendations without changes: items 10.1–10.5 (board secretary items), 11.1–11.2 (treasurer/financial reports for November and December), 12.1–12.7 (human resources actions including resignations, retirements, appointments and spring extracurricular additions), 14.1–14.3 (curriculum and technology items) and finance committee items 16.1–16.5 (financial approvals and a resolution to pay tax collectors). Each item was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Public comment focused on two recurring themes. Christine McGowan, a Stoney Creek parent and licensed professional counselor, asked the board to "put the children first," arguing that reductions in foreign-language time and increased screen-based instruction under the middle school schedule can worsen social, emotional and academic outcomes — especially for students with ADHD and other executive-function challenges. McGowan said shortened foreign-language time reduces opportunities that support cognitive flexibility and attention and urged the board to reexamine or eliminate elements of the schedule she called harmful.

A second parent who identified herself as Carmina Taylor told the board she had raised issues repeatedly and pointed to the 1949 Pennsylvania School Code on the board's duty of community engagement; she asked, "What are you going to do about the lowest performing students in this district?" and urged the board to act on long-standing disparities she described in a specific neighborhood.

Saeeda Settles, from Payne Township, described repeated incidents involving a single student she said had been suspended multiple times this school year and that those behaviors had disrupted instruction and created unsafe moments in physical education and on buses. "This student is creating an unsafe atmosphere for the children," Settles said, and asked the board what recourse is available and how the district will protect instructional time while addressing repeated aggressive behavior. She did not name the student.

Board members did not engage in extended on-the-spot dialogue with commenters at the meeting; the board chair said public-comment follow-up would be provided on board documents when appropriate.

The meeting concluded after routine committee reports and a motion to adjourn.