Jenkintown SD board approves routine business and a new three‑year collective bargaining agreement

The Jenkintown School District Board of Directors on Aug. 18 approved a slate of routine business items, several contracts and a new collective bargaining agreement covering 65 teachers and professional staff.

Key outcomes at a glance:

- Approval of minutes from the June 9 combined work session and finance committee meeting (voice vote; motion passed). - Finance/operations: accepted recurring donations and an ESY contract; appointed a tax collection committee delegate for the district. - Education and special-education items: approved affiliation agreements for school‑psychology interns, a memorandum to support secondary special-education certification pathways, and several service contracts (behavioral supports and speech/occupational therapy addenda) as presented by administrators. - Technology and assessment tools: approved technology items and companion assessment tools referenced on the agenda. - Collective bargaining agreement: board chair summarized a successor collective bargaining agreement with the Jenkintown Education Association effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. The chair listed highlights read aloud at the meeting—annual average increases were described in the presentation as "4.3 total increase," expanded benefits language, a $700 annual mentor stipend, enhanced bereavement and tuition reimbursement language, and additional noninstructional time and coverage provisions. Several numbers read by the chair during the meeting were unclear in the transcript and will be confirmed in the official contract documents.

Votes and procedure: most motions were moved and seconded and passed by voice vote. The board recorded one abstention (Nina) on item 8.1; otherwise motions passed as read.

The board also accepted liaison and committee reports and adjourned to an executive session on assessment appeals at the meeting’s close.