Pennsbury board approves land-use counsel for new high school, sets tax-collector rates and funds student DECA registrations

At its Jan. 16 action meeting, the Pennsbury School Board approved the bulk consent agenda and separately approved three pulled items: a land-use attorney appointment for the new high school project, a resolution setting tax-collector compensation rates for 2026–2029, and district coverage of DECA registration fees for students attending the state leadership conference.

The board first approved the remainder of the consent agenda (items 4a–10b) by voice vote. Later, directors pulled three items for separate discussion and votes: item 6d (land-use and development legal services), item 7h (tax-collector compensation), and item 7k (PA DECA State Leadership Career Conference participation).

Land-use counsel: The board approved item 6d to retain Kelly McGowan of Overmyer as land-use attorney for the high-school project. During discussion a director asked whether the construction manager did not already have land-use counsel; staff and the district’s representative explained that the construction manager is not an attorney and that it is customary on projects of this size to retain separate land-use legal counsel to manage permitting, zoning and other regulatory work. The motion passed; one director recorded an abstention during the vote.

Tax-collector compensation: The board approved a motion converting the previously planned compensation adjustment into a formal resolution, citing the Local Tax Collection Law’s procedural requirement that changes to tax-collector compensation be made by resolution. The motion established tax-collector compensation rates for the years 2026–2029; the materials discussed at the finance meeting earlier in January listed incremental per-bill rates and a minimum annual compensation figure (the presentation referenced a rising per-bill rate and a minimum annual compensation). Board members discussed the procedural difference between a motion and a resolution before the vote; the resolution carried.

DECA conference funding: The board approved item 7k, as amended, to cover DECA student registration fees on behalf of participating students attending the PA DECA State Leadership Career Conference in Hershey Feb. 19–21, 2025. Under the approved motion, the district will cover registration; families will be responsible for meals and lodging costs, which the motion estimated at approximately $350 per student. Board members asked staff to confirm final family costs and, if necessary, make administrative adjustments.

Procedural notes: When a director asked why the district needed land-use counsel if a construction manager had been engaged, the solicitor and staff clarified that construction managers are not attorneys and that the legal role is distinct. The vote on the land-use counsel item included an abstention; other votes were approved by voice vote with no opposition noted during roll call.

Ending: With these votes the board authorized legal support for site approvals and finalized compensation and student-travel approvals that staff said are within current budget provisions. Several directors asked staff to follow up with final cost confirmations for the DECA trip and to provide any contract documents related to the land-use engagement.