Hatboro-Horsham board approves consent, facilities, finance, HR and policy items; records one abstention on bank move

The Hatboro-Horsham School District Board of School Directors on Sept. 29 approved a package of routine and substantive agenda items including minutes, consent‑agenda financial reports, facilities purchases related to the new Keith Valley Middle School, human resources actions and first readings of multiple policy revisions. Most votes were taken by voice and recorded as aye; one abstention was recorded on a bank‑account action.

The board approved the Aug. 18 legislative meeting minutes and the Sept. 15 work‑session minutes on a motion by DJ Schultz, seconded by Susan Hunsinger Hoff. The consent agenda — covering check registers, capital and food service fund reports, payroll and student activity reports, contracts, conference attendance and student trips — was moved by Theresa Brown and seconded by David Brown and adopted by voice vote.

Facilities committee recommendations approved included purchases for the Keith Valley project, plumbing and HVAC proposals at Hatboro‑Horsham High School, ratification of change orders for capital projects and a revised allowance adjustment for the general contractor on the Keith Valley project. Those items were moved by David Brown and seconded by Susan Hunsinger Hoff and approved by voice vote.

Finance items approved included PDE‑4605 resident tuition matters, acceptance of donations, approval of student activity accounts and signatories for 2025–26, approval of bus and van routes consistent with the Pennsylvania School Code, disposal of obsolete textbooks and a bank‑account change for the debt service fund. The finance motion was moved by Tara Connor Halston and seconded by Theresa Brown. Board minutes record Theresa Brown abstaining on the bank account item because of her employment; the remaining finance items were recorded as approved.

Human resources actions approved encompassed a memorandum of agreement with the Horsham Education Association covering the district's AI ambassadors, the listing of two retirements and routine personnel items. The board also acknowledged tenure awards to several teachers. The HR motion was moved by Aaron Stroop and seconded by David Brown.

The policy committee's recommendations were advanced as first readings for 10 revised policies, including academic standards (Policy 102), curriculum (105), diabetes management (209.2), graduation (217), employment of district staff (304), physical examination (314), personnel files (324), job‑related expenses (331), transportation (810) and conflict of interest (827). The board approved the first readings on a motion by Susan Hunsinger Hoff and seconded by Theresa Brown; the items will return for further consideration as required by board procedure.

Special services items — two alternate instruction program approvals and settlement agreements — were approved on a motion by DJ Schultz and seconded by Tara Connor Halston. The board also authorized submission of a PSBA board candidate election form on a motion by Theresa Brown, seconded by Megan Kistner.

Votes at a glance - Minutes (items 4a–b): approved. Motion: DJ Schultz; second: Susan Hunsinger Hoff. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Tally: yes 9, no 0, abstain 0. - Consent agenda (items 5a–l): approved. Motion: Theresa Brown; second: David Brown. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Tally: yes 9, no 0, abstain 0. - Facilities (items 6a–d — Keith Valley purchases; HHHS plumbing/HVAC; change orders; revised general contractor allowance): approved. Motion: David Brown; second: Susan Hunsinger Hoff. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Tally: yes 9, no 0, abstain 0. - Finance (items 7a–f — PDE‑4605 residents; donations; student activity accounts; bus routes; obsolete materials; debt service bank account change): approved. Motion: Tara Connor Halston; second: Theresa Brown. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Tally: yes 9, no 0, abstain 1 (Theresa Brown on item 7f recorded due to employment). - Human resources (items 8a–b — MOA with Horsham Education Association; HR action items including two retirements): approved. Motion: Aaron Stroop; second: David Brown. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Tally: yes 9, no 0, abstain 0. - Policy first readings (items 9a–i — policies 102, 105, 209.2, 217, 304, 314, 324, 331, 810, 827): approved for first reading. Motion: Susan Hunsinger Hoff; second: Theresa Brown. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Tally: yes 9, no 0, abstain 0. - Special services (items 10a–c — alternate instruction programs; settlement agreements): approved. Motion: DJ Schultz; second: Tara Connor Halston. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Tally: yes 9, no 0, abstain 0. - Other action (item 11a — authorize PSBA board candidate submission): approved. Motion: Theresa Brown; second: Megan Kistner. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Tally: yes 9, no 0, abstain 0.

Context and clarifying details - Two retirements were recorded on the HR agenda: Eleanor Romali (administrative assistant to an assistant principal at Hatboro‑Horsham High School) and John Faulkner (custodian at Simmons), each with 28 years of service, per the meeting agenda. - The board accepted an anonymous $10,000 donation to the high‑school music program and acknowledged donations from Action Karate and ProMotion Healthcare Services, and ongoing support from the Hatboro‑Horsham Education Foundation. - The board approved bus and van routes for the 2025–26 school year in accordance with the Pennsylvania School Code.

No roll‑call tallies were read aloud for most voice votes; the board recorded nine members present at roll call. Minutes show one recorded abstention (Theresa Brown) on the debt service bank account item because of an employment conflict. Other approvals were taken by voice vote.

The meeting included committee reports, liaison updates and student representative remarks but no public speakers during the community‑input segments.