Upper Perkiomen board approves personnel actions, contracts and program agreements

The Upper Perkiomen School District board on Monday approved a package of routine personnel items, service contracts and program agreements, including a personnel report of resignations and appointments, a contracted vendor for speech-pathology substitutes, a security-services renewal, and a resolution calling for increased state school funding.

A motion to approve the personnel report (resignations, appointments and leaves of absence) passed by voice vote. On contract approvals, the board approved a district agreement with Kelly Pediatric Therapy to provide substitute and long-term speech-pathology coverage; administrators said the district employs its own speech pathologist and uses the vendor for coverage as needed, including for ESY. “It used to be PTS; now it's Kelly,” administration said.

The board approved a security-services renewal with Advanced Protection Company for the 2026—27 school year at a contracted rate listed on the agenda as $29 per hour; the agenda listed an overtime/holiday figure transcribed as "4350" in the meeting record (likely intended as $43.50). Directors discussed the price increase and whether the service could be shopped; administration said they could explore alternatives but expected similar prices.

The board also approved a St. Luke's contract renewal and an addendum to an agreement with ESS Northeast for substitute teacher and support-staff rates for 2026—27. The agenda text lists a monthly per-employee figure of $126 and shows an annual figure as "6852," which is arithmetically inconsistent (the board did not address the discrepancy on the record).

Other approved items included a school-based access program services contract with the MCIU, curriculum adoptions and a dual-enrollment agreement with Reading Area Community College. Board members praised the dual-enrollment pathway as an opportunity for students to earn college credits—one director noted it can reduce college costs and may allow students to graduate with an associate degree.

All motions recorded in the transcript passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Where agenda text contained ambiguous numbers or phrasing, board members did not ask for additional clarification during the meeting; the administration is responsible for file documentation and contract details available in the district office or on the agenda packet.

Votes at a glance (voice votes, no opposition recorded): Kelly Pediatric Therapy contract (approved); educational services agreement for a named student (approved); resolution urging increased state funding (approved); Advanced Protection Company security contract (approved); St. Luke's contract renewal and ESS Northeast addendum (approved); MCIU school-based access program and dual-enrollment agreement with Reading Area Community College (approved); Buxom County academy agreement and listed staff approvals (approved).