Pennridge board approves new hires, program and facilities easement; board addresses immigration and student mental-health concerns

The Pennridge School District Board of School Directors on January 27 approved a package of personnel, curriculum and facilities items, including the swearing-in and appointment of Dr. Bradley Palmer as assistant superintendent, selection of ICS Consulting as the district’s project management firm for capital work, and a 7–1 vote to approve a deed of dedication and easement with the North Penn Water Authority.

The actions were taken amid reports on student achievement gains, announcements of community donations and programs, and public comment urging the district to clarify its approach to immigration-enforcement visits and to continue supporting school counselors and social-emotional learning.

Board action and key outcomes

The board moved quickly through a lengthy consent agenda and a series of committee recommendations. Recorded votes on notable items included:

- Approval of Dr. Bradley Palmer as assistant superintendent (swearing-in ceremony conducted by Judge Bateman). Motion recorded as passing 9–0. - Selection of ICS Consulting as the district’s project management firm for capital projects (part of a contracts package passed 8–0). District officials said using the state CoStars procurement program reduced projected costs by roughly $280,000 compared with a prior project-management quote. - Approval of the Chloe Kircher career exploration program (education and teaching academy) and approval of obsolete books — both passed 8–0 after curriculum committee recommendation. - Facilities approvals passed as a group (items b, c, e and f) 8–0; the board separately approved item d, a deed of dedication and easement with the North Penn Water Authority, 7–1. - Finance approvals including contracts a–u (which included ICS Consulting) passed 8–0. - Personnel actions: tenure for Victoria Springer was approved 8–0. - Student-services approvals: high school ski trip (Jan. 31–Feb. 2), Penridge High School girls flag football, and the 2025–26 district calendar each passed 8–0. - Appointments to the Upper Bucks County Technical School Joint Operating Committee were approved 8–0.

Why it matters

The ICS selection and associated use of the CoStars procurement program are intended to reduce capital-project costs and affect the district’s summer project work and exterior door replacements identified in the facilities committee. The deed of dedication and easement with the North Penn Water Authority, approved 7–1, grants utility access that the district and the authority said is needed for infrastructure work; one board member voted against it and voiced concern about the necessity of the easement during discussion.

Student supports and program developments

Board and administrative reports highlighted districtwide classroom “learning walks,” with the superintendent and board members visiting schools to observe instruction and interventions. The district reported gains on STAR benchmark measures cited by the board: a move from 54% to 77% at the cited proficiency measure and an increase in the percentage of students scoring at the advanced level from 30% to 48% between 2023 and 2024, as reported by district presenters.

The board also announced the new Education and Teaching Academy (the Chloe Kircher Academy), a career-pathway program intended to give aspiring teachers classroom experience and a guaranteed interview for district positions after college completion; the program was placed on the consent calendar and approved by vote.

Community donations and recognitions

The board recognized several community contributions: a $7,100 donation from the Lions Club to assist families in need, and a $5,500 donation from the Cut family to the Jason Cut Legacy Fund to support families and the district music department. Students and local volunteers were recognized for awards and service.

Public comment and district response

During the public-comment period, several residents urged the district to clarify policies on immigration-enforcement access to schools and to avoid allowing national political disputes to affect school policy. One board speaker said the superintendent and the board have been reviewing rapid federal policy changes and that the district will provide guidance and training to administrators and staff in coordination with its intermediate unit and other professional organizations.

A retired district teacher, Amy Hoffman, urged continued support for counselors and social-emotional learning, saying those practices are research-based and part of the district-approved curriculum. "This counselor was not only following a research based approach to helping children understand their feelings, but she was also following the board approved curriculum," Amy Hoffman said. She told the board that emotional-literacy instruction supports students’ self-regulation and academic performance.

Context and next steps

Board members noted two senior leadership vacancies being worked on by the superintendent: director of operations and director of teaching, learning and assessment. The board also announced a district bullying-prevention seminar scheduled for Feb. 26 at 6 p.m., and additional staff training (QPR) and professional-development work described as part of the district’s ongoing student-support efforts.

Votes at a glance

- Assistant superintendent appointment (Dr. Bradley Palmer): passed 9–0; swearing-in performed on the dais. - Contracts and selection of ICS Consulting (contracts a–u): passed 8–0; ICS named project manager (recorded in finance committee discussion). - Chloe Kircher career exploration program (Education & Teaching Academy): passed 8–0 (curriculum committee report). - Obsolete books approval: passed 8–0. - Facilities group items b,c,e,f: passed 8–0; deed of dedication and easement with North Penn Water Authority (item d): passed 7–1. - Approval of student activity account for Class of 2028: passed 8–0. - Tax-collector compensation adjustments: passed 8–0. - Tenure recommendation (Victoria Springer): passed 8–0. - High school ski trip (Jan. 31–Feb. 2): passed 8–0. - Penridge High School girls flag football (inaugural season funding support noted): passed 8–0. - 2025–26 district calendar: passed 8–0. - Appointments to Upper Bucks County Technical School JOC: passed 8–0.

What the meeting did not decide

The board discussed ongoing review of federal policy changes related to immigration enforcement but did not adopt a new formal written policy at the meeting; administrators said additional guidance and training would be provided to staff. No budget appropriations tied to the approved capital or program items were explicitly adopted during this session beyond contract approvals; further budget and implementation steps were discussed as future work.

Meeting atmosphere

The meeting included multiple recognitions and community presentations, a sustained public-comment period with several residents speaking on immigration and school climate, and routine committee reports. Committees reported next meeting dates for curriculum, facilities, finance, personnel and student services. The board adjourned following the scheduled agenda.