Pennsylvania / School Districts / Wissahickon SD
The Wissahickon School District board voted to discharge an elementary principal and appointed Sue Kanopka as interim principal after public testimony urged systemic responses to a series of cultural and safety concerns. Supporters praised the administration’s swift action; some speakers urged broader institutional reforms.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Wissahickon SD
The board approved CHA Consulting for boiler design services (cap $$60,000) and discussed the middle school chiller noise history, sound mitigation options and a contested sound wall/fence. Neighbors pressed for more transparency and independent review.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Wissahickon SD
Public commenters at the Dec. 8 Wissahickon School District meeting split over a high‑school cultural fair display; some Jewish families said Palestinian symbols and a mural made students feel unsafe while others defended student cultural expression. The board solicitor reviewed First Amendment protections for student speech and urged viewpoint‑neutral handling.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Wissahickon SD
Board members voted down a $60,000 CHA design contract for middle‑school boilers amid calls to consider geothermal/solar, rebid professional services and wait for a facilities assessment; a separate Pavion intrusion‑detection contract was approved.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Wissahickon SD
After student petitions and public testimony, the Wissahickon School District board voted to add Lunar New Year, Diwali and Eid to the district calendar (effective when they fall on weekdays) and approved the 2026–27 calendar; members asked that votes on the three holidays be counted separately.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Wissahickon SD
Residents told the board loud noise from a middle‑school chiller persists despite acoustic blankets and a fence; they said prior studies and mitigation failed and asked the board to reconsider relocation options. Facilities listed a CHA consulting study and a Pavion alarm contract on the agenda.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Wissahickon SD
The board reviewed a proposal to add student days off for Lunar New Year, Diwali and Eid al‑Fitr to the 2027‑28 calendar, citing operational impacts (transportation, staffing, instructional hours) and plans to vote on Dec. 8 after consultations with unions and community input.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Wissahickon SD
At its Dec. 1 reorganization meeting the Wissahickon School District swore in newly elected directors and elected Amy Ginsburg as board president and Joe Antonio as vice president; motions were approved by voice vote and a calendar proposal was set for further review on Dec. 8.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Wissahickon SD
Several parents alleged antisemitic material appeared in classrooms and at a recent cultural fair; the district said it has opened an investigation and some students and the Muslim Student Association defended the cultural fair and described online harassment. The board said it will follow district investigation procedures.
Pennsylvania / School Districts / Wissahickon SD
The Wissahickon School District administration told the board Oct. 27 that two special-education settlement agreements — for $46,292 and $40,650 — will be presented for approval at the boards next public meeting on Nov. 3.