Board ratifies TeachTown resource, textbook change, ESY dates and awards rooftop solar design contract; several routine items pass 9-0

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District board voted unanimously on multiple agenda items during its Aug. 18 regular meeting. Most items were routine approvals or ratifications discussed at the earlier work session. All recorded roll-call tallies reported in the meeting passed 9–0 unless noted.

Key approvals

- Ratified purchase of TeachTown for low-incidence K–12 special-education life-skills and autistic support classes. The three‑year program cost is $71,272.29 and was budgeted; professional development had already begun, prompting board ratification. (Agenda item 4.1)

- Approved a change to the middle-school English curriculum: the eighth‑grade traditional English core and honors reading text was changed from I, Robot to Fahrenheit 451 (agenda item 4.2). The board clarified the replacement language for the minutes before voting.

- Approved extended school year (ESY) dates for summer 2026: June 22–July 30, Mondays–Thursdays, 8 a.m.–noon; 23 days (92 student hours), with a holiday break around July Fourth. Sessions will be held at Pekopsin Elementary School. (Agenda item 4.3)

- Approved the 2025–26 list of potential field trips (agenda item 4.4). The list is a standing approval; individual trips not on the list will come separately for approval.

- Bundled policy approvals: the board approved several policies and administrative guidelines (agenda items 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6) and separately approved Policy 8.15.1 and its administrative guideline on social media (agenda item 5.3). The social-media policy language now reads that district social-media operators may post photos, videos and live streams of students engaged in educational activities or school events unless the student’s parent/guardian has opted the student out; the change preserves yearbook participation while enabling opt-out procedures through an administrative guideline.

- Approved design contract for the Unionville High School rooftop solar project: $79,800 for design services (agenda item 6.1). Facilities discussion at the work session and during the vote described an approximately $1 million estimated total project cost offset by a $300,000 state grant, approximately $200,000 from investment tax credits if project timing requirements are met, and anticipated rebates. Presenters framed the project as having a payback period of roughly 9–12 years depending on assumptions and said the district expects energy savings in the remainder of the system life.

- Approved personnel agenda items 8.1–8.12, including two contracts reviewed in executive session: (1) contract specifying RTC as the provider under an existing umbrella, and (2) a nursing-services agreement with Angels of Care for as‑needed nursing support. (Agenda items 8.1–8.12)

- Approved routine business bundled earlier on the agenda, including meeting minutes and the bill list (agenda items 3.1–3.4).

Other notes from the meeting

- Finance: the district’s finance committee discussed a proposed property-tax rebate program that would take effect for the 2026–27 tax year and use a 2025 income look‑back for eligibility. Presenters estimated the net cost at roughly $35,000 in the absence of offsets (about $4 per average homeowner) and said outreach and program mechanics will be discussed in September with final approval planned for October.

- Student activities: the board welcomed Pat Clark as the new director of student activities and noted that athletics is Year 1 of the student-activities strategic plan.

- No items were tabled or failed at this meeting; the board adjourned after concluding reports and director comments.