Pennsylvania / School Districts / Downingtown Area SD
The board reviewed a five-year CMS renewal for $41,750 and a five-year ParentSquare contract for $39,000 to replace Blackboard; staff said initial pricing is below state-consortium rates for two years, then will move to the consortium rate and includes an opt-out clause.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Downingtown Area SD
District staff presented progress toward a 'portrait of a graduate'—five pillars and associated K–12 milestones—and described stakeholder engagement, an extracurricular audit showing 82% student participation, plans for alumni surveys, and a May working-document presentation.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Downingtown Area SD
Facilities staff reported four change orders (GC12–GC15) for the West Bradford Elementary expansion adding protective materials, additional VCT flooring, custodial closets and elevator expediting; items were described as health-department recommendations or phasing-related scope changes.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Downingtown Area SD
District finance staff recommended a maximum-parameters resolution that would advertise up to $81 million (a legal ceiling) and authorize up to $30 million of new money; presenters said the district expects to issue closer to $67 million, with a maximum interest rate listed at 6%.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Downingtown Area SD
A student-life committee reported frequent student use of AI tools (ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Grammarly, PhotoMap) and recommended developing guidance to address ethical risks and misuse in academic settings.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Downingtown Area SD
Policy revisions would add a state-required personal finance half‑credit for future freshmen and remove the district graduation project; board members, parents and staff debated equity, staffing costs and implementation before sending the policy through the 30‑day review process.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Downingtown Area SD
School district advisers told the board that falling municipal rates make reallocating debt and issuing $30 million in new bonds attractive to pay for deferred HVAC, roofs and other capital work while stabilizing annual debt service.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Downingtown Area SD
Committee discussed the proposed 2026–27 calendar and public concerns about start dates and breaks; staff presented consent items including a seven‑month $42,820 Nearpod renewal, a Hudl streaming contract and multiple facilities purchase orders for HVAC, fire‑safety and site work.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Downingtown Area SD
At a reorganization meeting, the Downingtown Area School District board elected Director Blust as president and Director Houghton as vice president, said the president will contact members about committee assignments, and discussed moving the April meeting to 'Monday, the thirtieth.'
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Downingtown Area SD
Molly Regis, a parent and teacher in a nearby district, urged the Downingtown Area School District board to increase daily recess from 20 to 30 minutes or add a second 20-minute recess for K–6 students, citing classroom observations of improved focus and a claim that obesity rates have 'quadrupled' in recent decades.