Perkiomen Valley board approves new social‑worker and teacher‑on‑special‑assignment roles, votes to suspend 0.5 art position over low enrollment

The Perkiomen Valley School District Board on May 20 approved personnel items including creation of a licensed social‑worker position and a teacher on special assignment to support arts programs, and it voted to adopt a resolution altering the high‑school art program that will suspend a 0.5 art teaching position because of substantially declined enrollment.

Doctor Sadler presented the personnel slate. The board approved the creation of a licensed social‑worker position (agenda item 7.06) and, separately, the creation of a teacher on special assignment position (agenda item 7.07) by voice vote. Public comment earlier in the meeting had specifically urged support for an arts‑focused teacher on special assignment; resident Corey Holst praised full‑day kindergarten and called the teacher‑on‑special‑assignment role a ‘‘smart investment’’ to coordinate arts programming across the district.

The most contested personnel action was item 7.1, a board resolution to alter the program and suspend a 0.5 art teacher at the high school because of reduced course enrollment. Superintendent and staff explained the action is a suspension under the School Code termed an ‘‘alteration of program’’ that is used when a district reduces staff for reasons such as a substantial decline in course enrollment. Staff said the affected educator would be suspended (furloughed) but placed on recall should a qualifying position reopen.

Board members questioned whether other options had been explored and whether the teacher had been informed; staff said the teacher had been notified and the district’s practice is to meet with employees before public votes. The resolution passed on voice vote; Board member Mister Sailor recorded a dissenting vote during the voice roll, and the record shows he voted against the suspension. No other individual roll‑call nays were recorded in the public portion of the meeting.

The board did not disclose the teacher’s name in public session. Staff noted the teacher’s certification area is specialized to art, and the reduction was described as a 0.5 position (part‑time load). The suspended staff member remains eligible for recall if a vacancy arises in the art program. The district will follow statute‑required procedures for a suspension due to alteration of program.