Marple Newtown School District

The agenda items for this Regular Meeting included approvals related to contracts for speech therapy services and services with HMS school, as well as a revised agreement with Advocacy Alliance. The Budget and Finance Committee section covered the approval of bills for payment across multiple funds (General, Capital Reserve, Capital, Food Service), approval of the December 2025 financial reports, authorization for a budgetary reserve transfer for heating oil, approval for the purchase of a baseball turtle, acceptance of a donation for a water bottle filling station, approval of an agreement for GASB 75 actuarial services, approval of a resolution for the re-appointment of Mrs. Barbara S. Harvey to the DCIU Board, approval to apply for a PA State Grant, approval of consulting and grant advisory services, approval of a Resolution for Declaration of Intent to Reimburse for the Worrall Elementary School project, and the approval of Huntington Securities, Inc. as the bond underwriter. Furthermore, requests were made to abate a penalty and refund a discount on specific folios. The Facilities and Transportation Committee approved engaging Bonnett Medica Associates Inc. to solicit bids for the Worrall Elementary School renovation project. The Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Committee approved several administrative and student trips, the implementation of a MAP Growth Assessments pilot for Grade 3 students, the adoption of new book titles for Culbertson Elementary, the disposal of books at Marple Newtown High School, the purchase of supplemental social studies materials, and two professional development sessions. The Human Resources and Policy Committee addressed the First Reading of numerous updated School Board Policies (320 through 343 and others), approved several classified resignations and a professional retirement, approved multiple classified and professional terminations, approved several classified and professional appointments, approved various leaves of absence, and approved personnel returning from leaves. Additionally, a classified transfer was approved, and summer hours for school psychologists were authorized.

The document outlines the agenda for committee meetings including the Budget and Finance Committee, Facilities and Transportation Committee, and Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Committee. Key discussions for the Budget and Finance Committee involve approving bills for payment, reviewing monthly financial reports for December 2025, approving an agreement for GASB 75 actuarial services, approving an application for the Public School Facility Improvement Program PA State Grant, approving a resolution for intent to reimburse capital expenditures for the Worrall Elementary School project, approving Huntington Securities, Inc. as bond underwriter, and requesting abatement and refund of a penalty. The Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Committee agenda includes approval for an administrative trip for a principal to attend a conference in State College, PA, and approval for professional development sessions regarding Multi-tiered System of Support and Health and Physical Education.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included approving several new and existing service agreements, such as those with EverDriven Technologies, Advocacy Alliance, and Peter's Place. The Budget and Finance Committee addressed major bill payments across the General Fund, Capital Reserve Fund, and Food Service Fund, approved monthly financial reports, and authorized budgetary reserve transfers for generator repairs and sewage remediation at Marple Newtown High School. Further financial actions included approving the disposal of a district van, the purchase of a Box Truck for Food Service, and abatement/refunds for multiple penalty requests. The Board also addressed a 2022 Tax Appeal, finalizing exemption percentages for several tax years through 2026. The Facilities and Transportation Committee reviewed and approved a policy reading, the Worrall Elementary School project under Act 34 requirements, a cost reimbursement agreement for the Gauntlett Community Center Gymnasium HVAC, and awarded contracts for the Paxon Hollow Middle School boiler room and rooftop unit replacement project. They also approved architectural services and bid solicitation for the Russell Elementary School door and hardware replacement, and contracts for hot water system replacement at Marple Newtown High School and backstop fence replacement at Paxon Hollow Middle School. The Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Committee approved administrative trips, several affiliation agreements with universities for student teaching, a pilot curriculum using Reveal Math resources, the purchase of Typing.com software, and two new courses for Marple Newtown High School. Numerous student trips were also approved. The Human Resources and Policy Committee approved several administrative, professional, and classified resignations, retirements, and terminations, including one for job abandonment. Numerous appointments were approved across all employee categories, along with various leaves of absence (FMLA, Sabbatical, Uncompensated) and returns from leave. Finally, the Board approved the second reading for several updated School Board Policies (301, 304-309, 311, 313, 314, 314.1, 318, 319).

This document is a comprehensive Data and Achievement Report for the Marple Newtown School District, reflecting its mission to provide rigorous educational opportunities and prepare students for the 21st-century workforce and society. The report details student demographics, enrollment, attendance, and special education, alongside participation in athletic and music programs. It extensively covers graduate data, college destinations, and a wide array of assessment results, including PSSA, SAT, ACT, Keystone, and Advanced Placement scores, supplemented by third-party rankings and staff data. The district's vision emphasizes engaging, meaningful, and relevant learning that fosters critical skills, innovation, and community service.

The Budget Finance Committee meeting covered several financial items, including the review of general fund, capital reserve, and food service bills covering nearly two months (since the first week of December). Financial reports for October and November were presented. Transfers from the Budshare Reserve were requested to cover extensive generator repairs districtwide and sewage remediation costs at Marple Newtown High School, partially covered by insurance proceeds. The committee sought approval to dispose of a van needing engine and air conditioner repair, intending to auction it. A purchase of a box truck, funded by the food service fund, for inter-building food delivery was proposed, pending PTE approval. Numerous requests for tax penalty abatements were presented for review, ensuring they were first-time occurrences. The committee acknowledged a $1,000 donation from the Newtown Township Police Department to the high school life skills program and a donation for a sensory fish tank in memory of Maddie Gilan. A tax appeal resolution was also brought forward. In the Facilities and Transportation session, discussions included the second reading of a school board policy, plans to bring forward bids for the Paxton Hollow boiler room project for summer work, and the replacement of the Paxton Hollow backstop damaged by a fallen tree. Approval was sought for the Act 34 hearing component for the Whirl Elementary School project and the approval of a $119,500 contract from Innovative Solutions for hot water system replacement at the high school, funded by capital reserve. The Curriculum and Instruction and Technology session covered staff conference approvals, new university affiliations (Widener and Villanova), and the proposed purchase of typing software for grades 2-5. Course offering proposals included adding AP Computer Science Cybersecurity and renaming/updating Java and Python programming courses to 'Coding for the Future,' focusing on AI-assisted learning and project-driven design. The sophomore class will be assigned mandatory Personal Finance, aligning with state legislation. Finally, a presentation reviewed performance data from state assessments (math, ELA, science), noting strong growth scores and achievement surpassing state averages, with action steps identified for improvement.