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Board approves curriculum MOUs and personnel items; member abstains under Pennsylvania Ethics Act
Summary
The Methacton School District board approved several curriculum agreements, educational MOUs and personnel additions; one board member declared an ethics-related abstention on an MOU that would benefit a spouse.
The Methacton School District Board of School Directors approved multiple curriculum and personnel items during its Oct. 28 meeting, and a board member recorded an abstention under the Pennsylvania Ethics Act for one contract.
Curriculum and agreements
The board approved educational service agreements and memoranda of understanding that the curriculum office brought forward, including a memorandum of understanding with Montgomery County Community College to support district support staff pursuing two-year degrees, an MOA incorporating BloomBoard and CSIU for teacher-retention pathways (Avery Award/MOA), and an MOA with MSBA staff with a cap not to exceed $67,000. The board also approved a contract with Tom Stecker and Associates for student 'voice' activities with a cap not to exceed $5,000; curriculum staff said student voice sessions bring Arcola and high-school students together for leadership input and feedback.
Personnel advisements and approvals
Personnel items presented included three classified employments (a personal care assistant and two paraprofessionals), one uncompensated leave for an eighth-grade reading instructor and supplemental contracts for liaisons and JV softball. The board approved the personnel slate by voice vote (motion carries 7–0). The superintendent clarified the change of status for McKayla White House is listed as an advisement (internal transfer) rather than a hiring vote.
Ethics abstention recorded
Mr. Winters formally notified the board under the Pennsylvania Ethics Act of his intent to abstain from the vote on item 11e (the MOU with the MESPA Association) because his wife is an instructional aide participating in the program and the district would pay course costs. The board proceeded and the motion passed with the abstention recorded: "Motion carries 6 to 0 with Mr. Winters abstaining." Mr. Winters read the nature of his interest into the record prior to the vote.
Why it matters: these agreements and personnel actions authorize district partnerships for professional development, student-engagement programming and staffing; the recorded abstention demonstrates the board following ethics disclosure procedures when a member has a personal interest.
Votes at a glance
- Approve curriculum and programs (except 11a): carried 7–0. - Approve item 11e (MOU with MESPA): carried 6–0 with Mr. Winters abstaining. - Approve personnel slate: carried 7–0.
The board moved on after the approvals to other business and schematic-design discussion.
