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Abington school board approves routine business, budget transfers and contracts
Summary
The Abington Board of School Directors on Sept. 9 approved routine board business including personnel changes, the July financial report and budget transfers, authorized a 60‑day extension of the Ardsley School lease and approved an as‑needed nursing-services contract with BAYADA.
The Abington Board of School Directors on Sept. 9 approved a slate of routine and administrative items, including personnel changes, the July financial report and transfers within the district’s 2024–25 budget.
Miss Eisenhart read recommendations for the August meeting minutes and personnel addendums; both motions were seconded and carried by the board. Christopher Lionetti, the district’s chief financial officer, summarized the July financial report, saying the district received $5,100,000 in revenue in July, about $4,700,000 of which came from real-estate taxes, and spent $4,600,000 in the first month of the 2025–26 budget year.
"As it's the first month of our budget, this will be brief," Lionetti said, and the board approved the report by roll call.
The board approved permits for buildings and grounds as reflected in addendum 9.1. Board members discussed heavy outside use of athletic fields and clarified that “cost-basis” permits cover personnel costs (grounds, custodial or security) required for an event, not utilities or capital expenditures.
On contracts, the administration presented one rejected bid — for the Abington Middle School softball field — because returned bids exceeded a $50,000 grant dedicated to that project. The board approved one contract award for email-security software paid from the general fund and a final change order completing elementary-school playground renovations.
Dr. Mowery described the playground work as complete and inclusive, and board members noted students’ enthusiastic response.
The board approved the second reading of seven revised policies and the second reading to repeal two policies, a process administration said follows an annual review with the solicitor’s office.
By roll call the board elected Patricia Denicola as board secretary for a four-year term effective Sept. 22, 2025, citing Section 404 of the Pennsylvania School Code of 1949.
Lionetti reported budget transfers for the 2024–25 school year totaling $4,944,495 — 2.48% of the expense budget — and said further transfers might appear later in November or December to align with auditor activity. The board voted to approve the transfers.
The board authorized the administration to work with the solicitor to develop and execute a 60‑day amendment extending the lease with Abington Township for the Ardsley School while negotiations on other lease revisions continue. Administration said the facility hosts daycare and community activities and that the township maintains the building at no cost to the district.
Finally, the board authorized the administration to contract with BAYADA Home Health Care, Inc. for the period July 8, 2025, through July 30, 2026, to provide registered-nurse services on an as‑needed basis when district nursing staff are unavailable. Dr. Rosenthal explained those services will be deployed based on the medical needs of students and that BAYADA will provide registered nurses only.
Next steps: many of these items — including the Ardsley lease negotiations and any petitioning to extend grant spending timelines for the softball field — were described as ongoing and subject to future board action or administrative follow-up.
