Board approves multimillion‑dollar curriculum and technology contracts, backs virtual counseling contract; asks administration to review foreign‑exchange age AG

The Downingtown Area School District Board of Directors on Feb. 12 approved a slate of curriculum and technology contracts and authorized spending tied to device and classroom upgrades, while directing staff to review the district’s administrative guideline on foreign‑exchange student age requirements.

In a single meeting the board approved multiple curriculum resource contracts that will span several years and carry seven‑figure totals: a six‑year contract with Curriculum Associates to purchase i‑Ready K–8 math resources for $2,268,765, a six‑year contract with Cengage Learning Big Ideas Math for Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II for $290,400, and a six‑year contract with Pearson Education for precalculus and AP statistics resources for $120,180.45. Those purchases were presented as action items and approved by the board; each motion carried by voice vote (no roll‑call tallies were provided in the meeting transcript).

The board also approved a Pathway School agreement for the 2024–25 school year described in the agenda with a stated dollar amount of $68,750 in the motion. The board approved a contract with Cartwheel Health Services PC for virtual counseling services, funded by a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) grant, for $66,000. Dr. Barrios (district staff) explained that Cartwheel provides virtual counseling that can connect students to therapists when local providers are not available. “It is referral based, and the seats that are available would be recurring. So if we don't use them, we would still have them,” Dr. Barrios said, describing the arrangement and confirming the seats would be available throughout the contract period.

Finance and facilities actions carried as well. The board approved budget transfer items presented by the finance director (voice vote). Facilities change orders carried: GC‑5 for Lobar Inc. at Beavercreek for $32,115.05 (block demolition, added ducts, room sign installation and exterior wall repairs), and GCO 3 and 4 for Stubner at West Bradford Elementary totaling $54,611.07 (flooring repairs, concrete reinforcement, and a design change at the front entrance for stormwater grading).

Technology purchases were approved in separate votes: 120 Epson interactive projection systems for classrooms (East and part of STEM) for $348,000; 3,100 Lenovo Chromebooks for middle and elementary students for $1,450,800; and a laptop program for incoming ninth‑grade students to issue Chromebooks beginning in the 2026–27 year, priced at $1,442,000. District staff noted that some network and wireless infrastructure items are E‑rate eligible (about 40% reimbursement), a factor that influenced timing and budgeting for replacement and upgrades.

Board members asked clarifying questions before the votes. For the Cartwheel counseling contract, a board member asked whether unused seats would be lost; Dr. Barrios replied that seats would be recurring and not lost if unused in a given year. A board member also asked for clarification about tuition and visa type for foreign exchange students during a separate policy discussion.

On foreign‑exchange policy, a board member pressed the board to consider making the district’s administrative guideline (AG) on age requirements for exchange students more flexible. The AG and policy discussion referenced the board’s existing policy on exchange students and federal visa types (J‑1 and F‑1). After discussion the board voted to ask administration to investigate the AG and return with guidance and options. Director Donatelli made the motion; Director Ross seconded. The motion to direct administration to review the administrative guideline passed on a voice vote after directors recorded their positions (Director Strowbridge voted no; several directors voted yes and requested more information). The superintendent and counsel agreed to gather legal and procedural details and present answers and options back to the board.

Public comment and other items: during the visitor comment period Joan Crane of East Brandywine Township, speaking for Dragonflies Indivisible, urged the board to adopt a “safe schools” resolution that would limit school collection of immigration status information and set protocols for handling requests from immigration authorities. The board did not take immediate action on that request during the Feb. 12 meeting.

Ending: The board’s approvals authorize administrators to execute the listed contracts and proceed with the approved purchases; administration will return with the requested detail on the foreign‑exchange administrative guideline and will present the March budget proposal and other scheduled items at the board’s next meeting.