Downingtown Area SD board approves Nearpod, Huddl and facilities purchases, approves 2026–27 calendar; pulls personnel pay-range item
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Summary
The board approved several vendor contracts and purchase orders (Nearpod $42,820; Huddl $50,875 per school for three years; multiple facilities POs totaling over $300,000 for fire and automation work), passed a budget resolution tied to the Act 1 index (3.5%), approved the 2026–27 calendar and voted 5–4 to pull a personnel pay-range compensation item for later consideration.
At its Jan. 14 meeting, the Downingtown Area School District board approved a series of contracts, facilities purchase orders and a budget resolution, and voted to remove a personnel compensation item from the consent agenda for further review.
On the curriculum agenda the board approved a renewal agreement with Renaissance for Nearpod for $42,820. The finance committee's items passed as presented: a Huddl renewal for athletic-event streaming (listed at $50,875 per school, covering three years) and a budget resolution "not to exceed the base Act 1 index of 3.5%" for the coming budget cycle.
Facilities projects approved included a vendor engagement with JHL Landscaping for fencing/gates and shed relocation at Beaver Creek Elementary; a purchase order for CM3 Building Solutions for building automation and temperature control at Bradford Heights Elementary ($28,200) and a separate CM3 PO to upgrade the building automation system at the STEM Academy ($70,100). The board also approved Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP proposals to replace the fire alarm at Pickering Valley Elementary ($45,874) and to replace a fire pump at Downingtown High School West ($154,000).
On personnel, the board considered a request concerning range compensation adjustments for qualifying nonunion staff members effective Jan. 1, 2026. Directors debated whether to discuss the matter immediately or pull it for more information and possible executive-session review. A roll-call vote to remove the agenda item passed 5–4. The transcript records the roll call as: Director Ross — No; Vice President Houghton — Yes; Director Gerthe — Yes; Director Strowbridge — Yes; Director Todorovac — Yes; Director Wisdom — No; Director Grabb — No; Director Bertone — No; President Blust — Yes. The board stated the item will return for consideration at a later meeting.
The board also approved several administrative items and the district's 2026–27 calendar after a motion and second; the motion passed.
Where the transcript records only 'Motion carries' but no roll-call detail, the article notes the outcome without inventing unrecorded vote tallies. No litigation or legal action resulted from the votes at this meeting; the board disclosed executive-session dates in accordance with Act 93 of 1998 (Sunshine Law).
