FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — The Upper Dublin School District Board of School Directors on July 28 approved two administrative appointments and a reorganization of one director position.

The board voted to convert the district’s Director of Data and Strategic Partnerships position into an elementary assistant principal role and appointed Christian Laird to that post. It also approved the appointment of Jeffrey Tyler as Director of Transportation. Both actions were approved by voice vote during a special legislative meeting held at Upper Dublin High School.

The personnel votes were taken after Superintendent Dr. Smith presented the recommendations and described the candidates’ qualifications. Dr. Smith said the director role had been reassessed after Dr. Ortiz took the helm at Upper Dublin High School on July 1, and that the district determined elementary leadership and teaching-and-learning support would be better served by shifting that director position into an assistant principal role covering four elementary buildings.

Dr. Smith introduced the candidates and recommended the board approve both appointments. Christian Laird, recommended for the elementary assistant principal role, has seven years of teaching experience at Germantown Elementary School and has served in multiple teacher-leader roles and district committees. At the meeting Laird said, "I got into teaching to make a difference in just 1 child's life, and then I looked at it as an opportunity to make a difference to 1 class room ... I look at this opportunity as a really special 1 because it's not just 1 building. It's 4 buildings." The superintendent stated the change is not a new administrative position and that the shift yields "some savings" to the district budget (amount not specified in the meeting).

Jeffrey Tyler, the board’s nominee for Director of Transportation, was introduced as having 17 years of experience in transportation and logistics as president and founder of a transport solutions company and as a district volunteer and coach. Tyler said he is a district parent and resident and described his approach to the job: "My leadership style will be frontline. I look forward to meeting with you. I will be out in the community meeting with the different schools, getting input on everybody's viewpoint on the transportation department." He also said he sees the transportation department as "the first and last impression of every student every day." The meeting materials and remarks did not specify exact start dates beyond the candidates being welcomed to their new roles for the upcoming school year.

Before the personnel items, the board noted it had held an executive session on July 14 to discuss tax-assessment appeal litigation, the status of collective bargaining with the UEA, summer staffing and administrative hires, and potential real-estate acquisition. The board also approved the minutes of its June 23 legislative meeting by voice vote. The district announced no public participation speakers or pre-submitted comments for the special meeting.

The motions to approve the minutes and to approve the personnel recommendations passed by voice vote. The record shows six board members present for roll call at the start of the meeting; two members were excused. After the approvals, the board welcomed Laird and Tyler and adjourned. The board indicated its next regular meeting will occur in August.

Votes at a glance
• Approval of minutes (June 23, 2025): Motion moved by Mister Sirota; second by Mister Warshauer; outcome — approved by voice vote. Yes: Jenna Evans; Miss Redding; Miss Sherpier; Mister Sirota; Mister Warshauer; Mister Wallach (6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).
• Approval of personnel recommendations (transform director position; appoint Christian Laird as elementary assistant principal; appoint Jeffrey Tyler as Director of Transportation): Motion moved by meeting chair (unnamed); second by Miss Sherpier; outcome — approved by voice vote. Yes: Jenna Evans; Miss Redding; Miss Sherpier; Mister Sirota; Mister Warshauer; Mister Wallach (6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).