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Pennridge board approves STEM-plus-M partnership and several budget and contract items
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Summary
The Pennridge board approved a roughly $1.5 million STEM-plus-M middle-school partnership at virtually no cost to the district, and approved multiple consent items including the Bucks County IU budget, contracts, grants, and policies in a series of voice-vote approvals.
The Pennridge School District board voted to approve a STEM-plus-M partnership intended to expand middle-school manufacturing and STEM instruction and approved a slate of budget and contract items during its February meeting.
The curriculum chair (S2) moved to approve two curriculum items — a Mystery Science pack for grades 3–5 and the STEM-plus-M partnership for grade 7 — and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Administrators described the STEM-plus-M partnership as a U.S. Navy–aligned program that includes a fully equipped instructional lab, curriculum, a learning management system, and professional development; the district said the total program value is approximately $1,500,000 and will be provided at “virtually no cost” to Pennridge. (S2; Dr. Barrios)
Finance committee items approved included the Bucks County Intermediate Unit instructional materials and research services budget for 2026–27 in the amount of $2,158,802 and a set of contracts (LearnWell; Smart Center Pediatric Therapeutic Services; Empower Ed; Museum of the American Revolution trip for North Middle School; Pennsylvania Trust; Chester County Intermediate Unit; and others). The board approved a new high school student activity group and advertising, bids and RFPs for the 2026–27 year. (S8)
On facilities, the board approved a resolution to apply to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for a public school facilities improvement grant to fund a boiler replacement at Central Middle School, and approved a list of obsolete items for disposal. (S7)
Several procedural motions were passed by voice vote under the consent calendar, with the board recording the items as approved; individual roll-call tallies were not read into the record at the time of the meeting.
Votes at a glance
• STEM-plus-M partnership (grade 7): motion moved by S2, seconded and approved by voice vote; described as approximately $1,500,000 in value, provided at virtually no cost to the district.
• Bucks County Intermediate Unit budget, 2026–27: $2,158,802 — approved (motion reported by S8).
• Contracts a–l (LearnWell; Smart Center Pediatric Therapeutic Services; Empower Ed; Museum of the American Revolution trip; Pennsylvania Trust; and others): approved by motion.
• Commonwealth Financing Authority grant resolution (Central Middle School boiler): approved by motion.
• Organizational chart approval (Student Services) and policy 249 (bullying and cyberbullying): approved.
Board members and administrators said the votes were intended to support curriculum expansion, maintain program quality, and address facilities and staffing needs.
