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Board approves immigrant‑support contracts after split votes amid debate on political ties and cost
Summary
The board approved two contracts to support newcomer students — a mental‑health contract with the Immigrant Psychology Network and a Project Libertad summer newcomer STEM program — after divided votes and lengthy discussion about social‑media content, cost and timing.
The Avon Grove School District Board approved two outside agreements to provide services for newcomer students, voting separately on each contract after several board members raised concerns about cost and the organizations’ public social‑media posts.
The immigrant psychology network contract (item 6.11) was approved 6–2; the Project Libertad newcomer summer support program (item 6.14) was approved 5–3. Board members recorded objections citing social‑media posts by Project Libertad and questioned whether the district should fund an organization whose online presence some members described as political. Supporters said both programs provide services the district could not easily staff internally and that the curriculum for the Project Libertad summer program is STEM‑focused and contract language prohibits political activity.
Board member concerns focused on cost and timing. Project Libertad’s newcomer summer program was listed at $10,000 for a one‑week, four‑day STEM program that would serve roughly 20 students (about $500 per student), including transportation and meals. Board member Rick Dumont and others called the amount high given projected multi‑year tax increases. District staff responded that funds for the summer program were available from the current fiscal year (2024–25) and that, if the board did not approve the contract at the May meeting, the program could not be operationalized this summer.
District staff said the Immigrant Psychology Network has worked with the district previously and provides trauma‑informed counseling supports; the Project Libertad program also ran the prior summer and staff said they were satisfied with services provided. Board members asked for contract language that prohibits political or legal activity within district programs; staff said contracts include language restricting political activity and that the summer newcomer program is STEM‑centered. Several members asked the solicitor to review contract language in future if questions persist.
Ending: Both contracts were approved with divided votes. Board members asked for stronger assurances in contract language and indicated they will revisit vendor suitability if future concerns about content or conduct arise.
