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Twin Valley board approves ACLU settlement, tax appeal deal, policy updates and district expenditures
Summary
At its Sept. 15 meeting the Twin Valley School Board approved a mutual settlement ending ACLU litigation, settled a tax assessment appeal for River Run Meadow Apartments, advanced several board policies and authorized multiple expenditures including a $17,600 guardrail replacement and transportation staffing for 2025–26.
The Twin Valley School Board on Sept. 15 approved a mutual settlement that concluded pending litigation with the ACLU, settled a county tax assessment appeal, advanced several board policies to second readings or adoption and authorized district expenditures and personnel actions.
The board voted by roll call to approve the settlement in the ACLU case; a staff member told the board the settlement included "no finding of liability by the district" and that the district and its insurer chose to settle "to minimize distractions and cost at the dawn of the new school year." The motion passed on a roll-call vote.
The board also approved a stipulation settling a tax assessment appeal for River Run Meadow Apartments (case referenced as 24-17179 in the Berks County record) and authorized the district solicitor to execute the stipulation. That motion passed on roll call.
In governance business the board voted to elect candidates to Pennsylvania School Boards Association offices for 2026, approving nominees including Holly Arnold for president and Matt Benoit for vice president (terms and office descriptors as listed in the board packet). The motion passed.
On policy matters the board: - Approved as a second reading Policy 254, "Educational Opportunity for Military Children." (roll-call vote) - Approved as a second reading revisions to Policy 1.122.0.2, "Student Activity," narrowing the policy to address participation in interscholastic sports and removing language about extracurricular activity fees (administration said extracurricular advisers receive stipends while athletics include broader district funding). (roll-call vote) - Advanced Policy 8.27, "Conflict of Interest," as a first reading to a second reading by voice vote. - Advanced Policy 209.2, "Diabetes Management," as a first reading by voice vote.
Finance and operations actions included: approval of new transportation staffing (drivers and monitors) for the 2025–26 school year; approval of a student settlement and release agreement referenced as SSA 25-26-04; and approval of a proposal from Collinson Inc. to replace guardrails at Twin Valley High School for $17,600. Each of these motions was approved by the board (transportation staffing by voice vote; the student settlement and the guardrail contract by roll call).
Personnel actions taken included the board accepting resignations/terminations, approving multiple professional nominations and support-staff hires and approving tenure/professional status for at least one professional staff member (motions passed as recorded).
Treasurer and finance reports for August were presented; board members asked clarifying questions about capital reserve expenditures and a punch list tied to a phase of work. The administration said the district will not process remaining payments until punch-list items are completed.
Votes at a glance: - ACLU litigation settlement (US District Court for the District of Pennsylvania case referenced): approved (roll call). Motion and seconder not specified in the record. - Tax assessment appeal settlement (Berks County case 24-17179, River Run Meadow Apartments): approved (roll call). - PSBA officer slate (2026): approved (roll call). - Policy 254 (Educational Opportunity for Military Children): approved (second reading, roll call). - Policy 1.122.0.2 (Student Activity — revision to limit fees): approved (second reading, roll call). - Policy 8.27 (Conflict of Interest): moved forward to second reading (first reading approved by voice vote). - Policy 209.2 (Diabetes Management): moved forward as first reading (voice vote). - Transportation drivers/monitors for 2025–26: approved (voice vote). - Student settlement SSA 25-26-04: approved (roll call). - Collinson Inc. guardrail replacement at Twin Valley High School, $17,600: approved (roll call). - Multiple personnel resignations, nominations, support-staff additions and status changes: approved (voice and roll-call votes as recorded).
The board packet and minutes list fuller motion language and specific policy text. Several roll-call tallies were recorded in sequence during the meeting transcript; the recording indicates multiple "Yes" responses by members but does not provide a consolidated numeric tally for every item in the public audio transcript excerpt.
Ending The board concluded the meeting after additional routine reports and a brief discussion about upcoming campus partnerships and programming. Minutes and the formal board packet will contain the official recorded motions, complete roll-call tallies and signed settlements or stipulations.
